Removable Compressor Casing Sensor Assembly for Rapid Turbine Testing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas turbine testing and validation methods are time-consuming and costly, often requiring disassembly of the turbines and introduction of sensors, which can risk damage and complicate the measurement process.
Innovation Solution
A system with a circumferential track embedded within the compressor casing allows for the removably insertion of a sensor assembly with multiple sensors, enabling baseline data collection without disassembling the turbine or shutting it down, using a single port for insertion and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If measurement systems are invasively coupled to gas turbines by disassembling casings and introducing holes for sensors, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and risk of damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is divided into separate modular components: a sensor assembly that can be independently inserted and removed from the compressor casing through an access port. This segmentation allows the sensors to be coupled to the turbine without disassembling the casing, thereby improving measurement capability while reducing device complexity and risk of damage
Solution Approach 2:
A sensor assembly acts as an intermediary component between the external measurement system and the internal flow path of the gas turbine. The sensor assembly can be inserted through an access port in the compressor casing and positioned within the flow path to obtain measurements without requiring invasive coupling or disassembly of the casing
2Measurement precision
If measurement systems require disassembly of casings for coupling and removal, then measurement capability is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is segmented into a removable sensor assembly that can be independently inserted and removed through an access port in the compressor casing. This eliminates the need to disassemble the casing for sensor installation and removal, thereby maintaining measurement capability while significantly reducing the time required for setup and teardown
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor assembly is pre-configured as a complete, self-contained unit that can be rapidly inserted into the compressor casing through an access port. This preliminary preparation of the sensor assembly allows for quick deployment and data collection without requiring time-consuming disassembly of the casing or shutdown of the gas turbine
3Measurement precision
If invasive coupling methods are used to introduce sensors into casings, then measurement capability is improved, but object-affected harmful factors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is segmented into a removable sensor assembly that interfaces with the compressor casing through an access port rather than requiring invasive coupling. This segmentation allows sensors to be positioned within the flow path for accurate measurements while avoiding holes in the casing, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the gas turbine
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor assembly serves as an intermediary that enables non-invasive measurement. It can be inserted through an access port in the compressor casing and positioned within the flow path to obtain measurements without requiring holes in the casing or invasive coupling methods, thereby maintaining measurement capability while minimizing the risk of damage to the gas turbine
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A measurement system (13) for a gas turbine engine (11) is provided. The measurement system (13) comprises a sensor assembly (48). The measurement system (13) also includes multiple sensors (64) coupled to the sensor assembly (48). The sensor assembly (48) is configured to be removably inserted within a space defined by a circumferential track (44, 52, 54) embedded within an inner diameter of a compressor casing (42) of the gas turbine engine (11) without having to disassemble the compressor casing (42).