New committee ignites on gas turbine engines

ISA107 has formed to develop standards and guidelines on measurement techniques vital in the safe and reliable operation of gas turbine engines. The committee, “Advanced Measurement Techniques for Gas Turbine Engines,” will encompass measurement techniques for gas turbine engines developed for and used in aerospace and industrial applications.

ISA’s Aerospace Industries and Test Measurement Divisions prompted the request for the new committee and will each provide experts and support for ISA107. The chair of ISA107, as appointed by the Standards and Practices (S&P) Board, is former ISA Test Measurement Division Director William Stange of the U.S. Air Force Research laboratories.

“Accurately measuring the various parameters necessary to safely and reliably operate a gas turbine engine is a significant challenge,” Stange said. “The turbine engine environment is extremely hostile to virtually any sensor that needs to be affixed to an engine component or inserted into the gas path of the engine.” Stange said, “I expect ISA107 to focus initially on developing new standards for sensing technologies that address three critical measurement needs: blade tip timing, blade tip clearance, and thermographic phosphors.”

Much of the committee’s work will take place via web meetings and e-mail. If you are interested in contributing your expertise to the committee, please send your contact information and a brief background summary to Ellen Fussell Policastro of ISA Standards at efussell@isa.org. For more information on ISA Standards, visit www.isa.org/standards.