Resistive contact sensors for large blade and airfoil pressure measurements

摘要

A fluid dynamic polymer-based contact sensor (100) measures ambient pressure (103) based on the resistivity changes across the sensor under different ambient pressures. The sensor (100) may applied to airfoil structures such as wind turbine blades (110) without impacting the blade structure and fluid dynamic characteristics. The sensor (100) may also be applied to fluid measurements. A pressure-sensing element (105) may be disposed between a base plate (115) at a first end (106) of the pressure-sensing element and a pressure-sensitive diaphragm (125) at a second end (107). The pressure-sensitive element (105) may be formed from conductive composite material formed of a polymer and a conductive filler. In another embodiment of the sensor, the pressure-sensitive element (105) may be formed of a piezoelectric material or an element with a piezo-electric coating layer on top, in the middle or at the bottom of it.