Airfoil Sensor Ice Accretion Control via Segmented Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engine sensors used to measure pressure and temperature are susceptible to ice accretion in icing conditions, which can disrupt sensor operation and introduce measurement anomalies, and heating the sensors to prevent ice accretion can also introduce errors in measurements.
Innovation Solution
The sensor design includes an airfoil body with a heater element and a temperature probe, featuring an ice accretion area that preferentially accumulates ice forward of a tip surface aperture, allowing the ice to be shed without interfering with sensor operation, and an insulating cavity to prevent heat from the heater element from affecting the temperature probe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the probe is heated to prevent ice accretion, then ice protection is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to introduced errors
Solution Approach 1:
The probe is divided into distinct functional zones: a heated leading edge section for ice protection and an unheated trailing section for accurate temperature measurement. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between ice protection and measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
Different thermal properties are applied to different parts of the probe. The leading edge portion is heated to prevent ice accretion, while the trailing portion remains unheated to provide accurate temperature readings. This local differentiation of thermal characteristics allows simultaneous achievement of ice protection and measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If ice accretion is allowed on the probe, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but sensor operation is disrupted by ice accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The ice accretion feature is designed to extract and isolate ice accumulation to a specific location on the probe that does not interfere with the temperature sensing element. By separating the ice accumulation zone from the measurement zone, the system maintains both measurement accuracy and operational reliability.
3Reliability
If the heater element is extended to cover the temperature probe, then ice protection is improved, but heat interference with the temperature probe increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heater element is segmented to provide targeted heating only to the leading edge portion of the probe, stopping before reaching the temperature probe. This partial coverage provides sufficient ice protection while preventing heat interference with the temperature measurement, resolving the contradiction between protection coverage and measurement accuracy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design effectively limits ice accretion on the heated portion of the sensor while allowing accurate measurement of ambient air temperature at the unheated portion, reducing the risk of measurement anomalies and maintaining the accuracy of pressure and temperature readings.
Implementation Method 1
an insulating cavity to prevent heat from the heater element from affecting the temperature probe
Implementation Method 2
allowing accurate measurement of ambient air temperature at the unheated portion
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor includes an airfoil body, a heater element, and a temperature probe. The airfoil body defines a sensor axis and having a leading edge, a trailing edge, and an ice accretion feature. The heater element extends axially through the airfoil body between the leading edge and the trailing edge of the airfoil body. The temperature probe extends axially through the airfoil body between the heater element and the trailing edge of the airfoil body. The heater element is axially overlapped by the ice accretion feature to accrete ice chordwise forward of a tip surface aperture. Gas turbine engines, methods of making sensors, and methods of accreting ice on sensors are also described.