Arched Oil Level Sensor for Curved Turbine Engine Tank
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil level measurement systems in turbine engine tanks face challenges in precision and integration complexity, especially in curved tank designs, requiring a solution that is both accurate and compact.
Innovation Solution
An arched sensor with internal supporting arms or a sleeve that matches the curvature of the tank, allowing for precise oil level measurement while maintaining a compact and flexible design, and enabling easy installation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a straight sensor is used in a curved tank, then the sensor structure is simple, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to match tank curvature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature to the sensor by providing an arched sensor that matches the curvature of the curved tank. This allows the sensor to conform to the tank's geometry, ensuring accurate oil level measurement across the entire curved surface while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of a single arched component.
2Quantity of substance
If the tank capacity is increased, then the lubricant endurance assessment is improved, but the device complexity worsens due to curved tank shape requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a curved tank design that optimizes space utilization within the turbine engine. The curved shape allows for increased oil capacity while adapting to the available space constraints, thereby improving lubricant endurance assessment without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The arched sensor is nested within the curved tank structure, with supporting arms integrated into the tank wall. This nesting arrangement allows the sensor system to be compactly housed within the curved tank, maximizing oil capacity while minimizing the space required for measurement components.
3Measurement precision
If an arched sensor is used in a curved tank, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to sensor curvature requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The arched sensor is designed with a curvature that precisely matches the tank's curvature, enabling the sensor to follow the tank's contour. This geometric matching ensures that the sensor maintains optimal contact with the oil surface across the entire measurement range, significantly improving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The arched sensor is supported by multiple supporting arms that are distributed along the sensor's length. These arms segment the support function, allowing the sensor to maintain its curved shape while being independently supported at multiple points, thereby reducing the complexity of maintaining the arch structure.
4Ease of operation
If supporting arms are added to the arched sensor, then the ease of operation is improved through easier sensor placement, but the device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting arms are pre-positioned and fixed to the tank wall at optimal locations before sensor installation. This preliminary arrangement of support structures simplifies the sensor placement process, as the sensor can be directly mounted onto the pre-positioned arms without requiring complex alignment procedures during installation.
Data Source
AI summary
An oil tank of a turbine engine, particularly of an aircraft turbojet includes an external wall forming a generally curved main cavity. This cavity includes an arched sensor for electrically measuring the oil level, for example in a capacitive manner. Said arched sensor matches the curvature of the main cavity in order to be integrated therein. Sensor supporting arms distributed along the curvature of the arched sensor and/or an arched sleeve with an arched cavity receive the arched sensor. A turbine engine is provided with an oil tank, as well as a method for mounting a sensor in an oil tank.