Borescope Port Probe for Turbine Blockage Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas turbine engines face challenges in detecting blockages caused by ingested sand and particles, which can lead to thermal insulation, reduced coolant flow, and potential component failure, due to the limitations of existing filtration systems and instrumentation that disrupt performance and are not suitable for harsh environments.

Innovation Solution

A probe is designed to be secured in the borescope plug of a gas turbine engine, featuring sensors and passages that conduct coolant through the housing, allowing for real-time detection of blockages by measuring temperature and pressure differences between the coolant and main flow paths, with a data acquisition unit processing these signals to indicate engine conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If instrumentation is added to detect blockages, then detection capability is improved, but aerothermal performance is disrupted and component life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblockage detection capabilityVSAvoidcomponent life

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a probe as an intermediary device that measures blockage conditions indirectly through coolant parameters rather than placing sensors directly in the hot gas path. The probe uses coolant temperature and pressure as mediator variables to infer blockage conditions, avoiding direct exposure of instrumentation to harsh turbine environments that would reduce component life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct mechanical/electrical instrumentation in the hot gas path with a thermal field-based detection system. By using coolant temperature and pressure measurements to infer blockage conditions, the system substitutes direct mechanical sensing with indirect thermal field measurement, eliminating the need for instruments that would disrupt aerothermal performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If filtration systems are added to remove particles, then particle removal is improved, but pressure loss increases and performance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle removal effectivenessVSAvoidpressure loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial filtration by removing only the most harmful large particles through centrifugal separation, rather than attempting to remove all particles. This partial action approach maintains acceptable pressure loss while providing sufficient protection against blockages, recognizing that complete filtration is unnecessary and overly costly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Object-generated harmful factors

If cooling passages are blocked by particles, then thermal insulation occurs, but component temperature control is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal insulation effectVSAvoidcomponent temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where coolant temperature and pressure measurements are continuously monitored to detect blockage conditions. When blockages are detected through changes in coolant parameters, the system can alert operators to clean or replace turbine components before temperatures reach dangerous levels, preventing thermal runaway.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

The probe enables accurate detection of blockages during operational conditions, improving service life by minimizing disruption to the engine's aerothermal performance and allowing for timely maintenance without exposing the engine to harmful conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor carried by the housing in a turbine gas flow of a turbine section of the gas turbine engine during working operation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Implementation Method 2

a housing secured in a borescope plug of a gas turbine engine wherein the housing includes at least one passage that conducts coolant through the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow through passage:

Implementation Method 3

The at least one sensor is further in fluid communication with the coolant and develops an output signal representing a condition of the turbine section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal to electrical conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS10996140B2Gas turbine engine probes and methods of detecting an engine condition

Publication Date: 2021.05.04 ROLLS ROYCE CORP

AI summary

A gas turbine engine probe comprises a housing mounted in a borescope port of the engine. The housing includes at least one coolant passage that conducts coolant through the housing. The probe develops an indication of an engine condition, such as blockage in the engine due to sand and/or other debris.