Patent attributes
The present disclosure is directed to an integrated electrostatic sensor for detecting dust and/or other airborne particulates in an engine, e.g. in an aircraft gas turbine engine. The electrostatic sensor includes an outer housing having a sensing face, an electrode configured within the outer 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 dust particles flow past the sensing face. Thus, the amplifier is configured to detect a dust level as a function of the electron movement. The electrostatic sensor also includes a circuit board configured within the outer housing and electrically coupled to the amplifier. Thus, the circuit board is configured to send the one or more signals to a controller of the engine indicative of the dust level.
