Electric Probe Cooling via Fluid Conduit in Gas Turbine Hot Section
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electric probes in gas turbine engines fail to sustain high temperatures due to the hot ambient air in the hot section module, leading to potential malfunction or damage.
Innovation Solution
An electric probe assembly is designed with a conduit surrounding the probe body, carrying a fluid at a lower temperature than the ambient temperature, which thermally insulates the probe from the surrounding environment, effectively cooling it.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electric probes are placed in the hot section module of a gas turbine engine, then the probe can measure turbine parameters, but the probe cannot sustain the high ambient temperature and may malfunction or damage
Solution Approach 1:
A conduit is introduced as an intermediary component between the electric probe and the hot ambient environment. The conduit carries a cooling fluid that absorbs heat from the probe, acting as a thermal mediator that protects the probe from direct exposure to high temperatures while allowing the probe to function in the hot section module
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful thermal energy is extracted from the probe by introducing a cooling fluid through the conduit. The fluid absorbs excess heat from the probe body, carrying it away from the probe and removing the thermal stress that would otherwise cause malfunction or damage
2Object-affected harmful factors
If additional insulation is added to protect the probe from heat, then thermal protection improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using solid insulation materials that would increase structural complexity, the invention employs a fluid-based thermal management system. A cooling fluid is pumped through a conduit surrounding the probe, using hydraulic principles to remove heat efficiently without adding complex insulation layers
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the approach from passive insulation to active thermal management by introducing a flowing cooling fluid. This dynamic parameter change allows heat removal through convection and phase change rather than relying on static insulation thickness, simplifying the overall structure
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 solution allows the electric probe to function reliably in high-temperature environments by maintaining a lower temperature, preventing damage and ensuring accurate turbine speed measurement without the need for additional insulation.
Implementation Method 1
a conduit carrying a fluid flowing at a temperature lower than the local ambient temperature... the fluid thermally insulating the probe body from the local ambient temperature
Implementation Method 2
the fluid thermally insulating the probe body from the local ambient temperature of the immediate environment around the at least one electric probe assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A gas turbine engine comprises a hot section module which includes at least one electric probe assembly surrounded by an immediate environment having a local ambient temperature. The at least one electric probe assembly includes an electric probe having a probe body, and a conduit surrounding at least a portion of the probe body. In operation, the conduit carries a fluid flowing at a temperature lower than the local ambient temperature. The at least portion of the probe body is embedded in the fluid inside the conduit. The fluid thermally insulates the probe body from the local ambient temperature of the immediate environment around the at least one electric probe assembly.