Drive Ring Spacing Sensor for Gas Turbine Compressors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for sensing the shifting of a drive ring in gas turbines are inaccurate due to dimensional tolerances and are complex and costly, affecting the performance of compressors and gas turbines.
Innovation Solution
A system with a sensor directly disposed in installation holes of the drive ring to sense the spacing between the drive ring and the compressor housing in real time, using photoelectric, electromagnetic, or ultrasonic sensors, eliminating the need for complex auxiliary elements and simplifying installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex sensing mechanism with multiple elements (fasteners, connecting levers, sensors) is used to sense drive ring shifting, then the sensing coverage is improved, but the dimensional tolerances of each element accumulate and reduce measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex auxiliary elements (fasteners, connecting levers) from the sensing mechanism, retaining only the essential sensor component. The sensor is directly mounted on the drive ring, which simplifies the structure to a single-element system that avoids dimensional tolerance accumulation while maintaining sensing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the sensing function from the drive ring structure itself, by directly integrating the sensor onto the drive ring rather than using a separate complex mechanism. This integration ensures that the sensor moves with the drive ring, providing accurate relative position measurements without being affected by tolerance accumulation in auxiliary components.
2Measurement precision
If a sensing mechanism with many elements is used to measure drive ring shifting, then the sensing capability is improved, but the device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential sensing function from the complex mechanism, eliminating fasteners, connecting levers, and other auxiliary elements. The simplified structure consists of a single sensor directly mounted on the drive ring, which maintains sensing capability while dramatically reducing device complexity and installation difficulty.
3Reliability
If a complex sensing mechanism with multiple elements is used, then the sensing function is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary components (fasteners, connecting levers, multiple sensors) from the sensing mechanism, retaining only the essential sensor element. This reduction in component count directly lowers manufacturing costs while preserving the core sensing function through direct sensor mounting on the drive ring.
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 approach provides high sensing accuracy, reduces costs, and ensures better working performance and power generation efficiency for compressors and gas turbines by allowing real-time adjustment of the drive ring position.
Implementation Method 1
using photoelectric, electromagnetic, or ultrasonic sensors
Implementation Method 2
using photoelectric, electromagnetic, or ultrasonic sensors
Implementation Method 3
using photoelectric, electromagnetic, or ultrasonic sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A system is for sensing a shifting of a drive ring, a compressor, and a gas turbine. The system includes a compressor housing; at least one drive ring installable on the compressor housing and disposed on the compressor housing with a spacing, and the at least one drive ring being provided with at least one installation hole, extending along a radial direction of the at least one drive ring; and at least one sensor, located in the corresponding installation hole and used to sense the spacing between the at least one drive ring and the compressor housing in real time. In an embodiment, the system for sensing a shifting of a drive ring, the compressor, and the gas turbine has advantages of simple structures and relatively low costs.