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The present disclosure is directed to an integrated electrostatic sensor for an engine. The sensor includes an outer housing having a body with a first end and a second end. The first end is configured for securing the sensor to the engine and includes a sensing face. The sensor also includes an ele

The present disclosure is directed to an integrated electrostatic sensor for an engine. The sensor includes an outer housing having a body with a first end and a second end. The first end is configured for securing the sensor to the engine and includes a sensing face. The sensor also includes an electrode configured within the housing adjacent to the sensing face and an amplifier configured with the electrode. The electrode contains a plurality of electrons configured to move as charged particles flow past the sensing face. Thus, the amplifier is configured to detect a particulate level as a function of the electron movement. The electrostatic sensor also includes a circuit board configured within the housing and electrically coupled to the amplifier. As such, the circuit board is configured to send one or more signals to a controller of the engine indicative of the particulate level.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An integrated electrostatic sensor for detecting dust or debris in an engine, the sensor comprising: an outer housing comprising a body having a first end and a second end, the first end comprising a sensing face and configured for securing the sensor to the engine;an electrode configured within

1. An integrated electrostatic sensor for detecting dust or debris in an engine, the sensor comprising: an outer housing comprising a body having a first end and a second end, the first end comprising a sensing face and configured for securing the sensor to the engine;an electrode configured within the outer housing adjacent to the sensing face, wherein the electrode comprises an impedance of greater than about 1 G-Ohm, the electrode comprising a plurality of electrons configured to move as charged particles within the engine flow past the sensing face;an amplifier configured with the electrode, wherein the amplifier comprises a leakage current of from about 1 femtoampere to about 5 femtoampere and an operating temperature range of from about 100 degrees Celsius to about 250 degrees Celsius, the amplifier configured to detect a particulate level of the engine as a function of the electron movement; anda circuit board configured within the outer housing and electrically coupled to the amplifier, the circuit board configured to send one or more signals to a controller of the engine indicative of the particulate level. 2. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the first end comprises a first threaded outer surface configured for securing the sensor in a mounting location of the engine. 3. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the body of the outer housing comprises a predetermined shape configured to fit in an existing location of the engine. 4. The sensor of claim 3, wherein the existing location comprises at least one of a borescope port, a wash water port, a compressor inlet, a booster inlet, or a turbine inlet of the engine. 5. The sensor of claim 3, wherein the predetermined shape of the body of the outer housing comprises a generally cylindrical shape. 6. The sensor of claim 1, further comprising a sensor cap configured with the second end of the body of the outer housing so as to retain the electrode and the amplifier within the outer housing. 7. The sensor of claim 6, wherein the second end comprises a second threaded outer surface configured to receive the sensor cap, the sensor cap comprising at least one of an inner threaded surface or an outer threaded surface. 8. The sensor of claim 1, further comprising an electrode housing configured within the outer housing adjacent to the sensing face, the electrode housing configured to house the electrode, the electrode electrically coupled to the circuit board via an insulated wire. 9. The sensor of claim 1, further comprising a circuit board housing configured within the outer housing adjacent to the electrode, the circuit board housing configured to house the circuit board therein. 10. The sensor of claim 1, further comprising an insulator configured between the electrode and the outer housing. 11. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the engine comprises at least one of an aircraft engine, an industrial engine, a power generation engine, a land-based engine, or a marine engine. 12. An electrostatic sensor system for an engine, the sensor system comprising: one or more integrated electrostatic sensors for detecting dust or debris in the engine, each of the electrostatic sensors comprising: an outer housing comprising a body having a first end and a second end, the first end comprising a sensing face and configured for securing the sensor to the engine,an electrode configured within the outer housing adjacent to the sensing face, wherein the electrode comprises an impedance of greater than about 1 G-Ohm, the electrode comprising a plurality of electrons configured to move as charged particles within the engine flow past the sensing face,an amplifier configured with the electrode, wherein the amplifier comprises a leakage current of from about 1 femtoampere to about 5 femtoampere and an operating temperature range of from about 100 degrees Celsius to about 250 degrees Celsius, the amplifier configured to detect a particulate level of the engine as a function of the electron movement, anda circuit board configured within the outer housing and electrically coupled to the amplifier; anda controller electrically coupled to the circuit board so as to receive one or more signals therefrom that are indicative of the particulate level. 13. The sensor system of claim 12, wherein the first end comprises a first threaded outer surface configured for securing the sensor in a mounting location of the engine. 14. The sensor system of claim 12, wherein the body of the outer housing comprises a predetermined shape configured to fit in an existing location of the engine, wherein the predetermined shape of the body of the outer housing comprises a generally cylindrical shape, wherein the existing location comprises at least one of a borescope port, a wash water port, a compressor inlet, a booster inlet, or a turbine inlet of the engine. 15. The sensor system of claim 12, further comprising: an electrode housing configured within the outer housing adjacent to the sensor face, the electrode housing configured to house the electrode, the electrode electrically coupled to the circuit board via an insulated wire, anda circuit board housing configured within the outer housing adjacent to the electrode, the circuit board housing configured to house the circuit board therein. 16. A method for detecting dust or debris in an engine, the method comprising: providing an integrated electrostatic sensor in one or more locations of the engine, each of the electrostatic sensors including an outer housing with a first end having a sensing face, the first end configured for securing the sensor to the engine, each of the electrostatic sensors also having an internal electrode and amplifier housed within the outer housing, the electrode adjacent to the sensing face and having a plurality of electrons configured to move as charged particles within the engine flow past the sensing face, wherein the electrode comprises an impedance of greater than about 1 G-Ohm;mounting the sensing face of each sensor in a particulate flow path at the one or more locations;determining, via the amplifier of each sensor, a particulate level of the engine as a function of the electron movement, wherein the amplifier comprises a leakage current of from about 1 femtoampere to about 5 femtoampere and an operating temperature range of from about 100 degrees Celsius to about 250 degrees Celsius; andgenerating, via a circuit board configured within the outer housing, one or more signals indicative of the particulate level. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising sending, via circuit board of the each of the electrostatic sensors, the one or more signals to a controller of the engine.