Multisensor electrostatic detection of moving charged particles

In this paper we present the analysis of a measurement technique based on a small array of electrostatic sensors, to estimate the trajectory, the charge and the velocity of a charged particle expelled with the exhaust gases or circulating in the lubricating oil of engines, aero-engines or gas-turbines. In detail, we show how to arrange the information provided by two or three sensors, combining physical models and the geometrical characteristics of the sensor array. Since the measurement of the debris charge and position depends on the estimation of some parameters included in the physical models, we discuss the sensitivity of the measurement results with respect to the variability introduced by the uncertainty of these parameters.