Combustion Test Rig Transparent Windows Optical Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combustion test rigs for gas turbine engines lack effective methods for visual inspection and data capture of combustion processes, limiting the understanding and optimization of combustion dynamics.
Innovation Solution
A combustion test rig design featuring a housing with transparent windows and a combustor test section, where a laser beam is directed into the combustion chamber to illuminate particles, and a camera captures images, allowing for detailed observation and data collection of combustion processes, including the use of hydrogen fuel and apertures for air and fuel injection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional opaque combustion test rigs are used, then structural strength and thermal insulation are maintained, but visual inspection and data capture of combustion processes are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The housing wall is segmented to include transparent window sections that allow optical access to the combustion chamber. This segmentation enables visual inspection and data capture while maintaining the structural integrity of the remaining opaque portions of the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
Transparent windows serve as intermediary elements between the external observation environment and the internal combustion process. These windows transmit light and allow imaging systems to capture combustion data without direct exposure to the harsh combustion environment.
2Loss of information
If transparent windows are added to the housing, then combustion process visualization is enabled, but structural strength and thermal insulation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure exhibits local quality variations where specific regions contain transparent windows optimized for optical access, while other regions maintain opaque, high-strength materials for structural support and thermal insulation. Each region is designed with properties appropriate to its specific function.
3Measurement precision
If multiple windows and liners with apertures are used, then comprehensive data capture is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The test rig employs multiple transparent windows positioned at different locations and angles, creating multi-dimensional optical access to the combustion chamber. This allows simultaneous observation from various perspectives and enables comprehensive data capture using imaging systems.
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
Enables precise visualization and data capture of combustion processes, enhancing the understanding and optimization of combustion dynamics, which can improve the performance and efficiency of gas turbine engines.
Implementation Method 1
A laser beam is directed into the combustion chamber through the liner window to illuminate particles in the combustion products
Implementation Method 2
The inner wall includes an inner window. The outer wall includes an outer window. The first liner includes a liner window. A line of sight extends sequentially through the outer window, the inner window and the liner window into the combustion chamber
Implementation Method 3
A mixture of the fuel and the air is combusted within the combustion chamber to generate combustion products
Data Source
AI summary
A combustion test rig is provided that includes a housing and a combustor test section. The housing includes a test chamber, a cavity, an inner wall and an outer wall. The cavity extends vertically between the inner wall and the outer wall. The inner wall is disposed vertically between the test chamber and the cavity. The inner wall includes an inner window. The outer wall includes an outer window. The combustor test section is disposed within the test chamber. The combustor test section includes a combustion chamber, a first liner, a second liner and a bulkhead. The combustion chamber extends vertically between the first liner and the second liner. The first liner is disposed vertically between the combustion chamber and the inner wall. The first liner includes a liner window. A line of sight extends sequentially through the outer window, the inner window and the liner window into the combustion chamber.