Continuous Flow Engine Thermal Measurement Channels
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Continuous flow engines, such as gas turbines and compressors, face challenges in monitoring temperature and load changes effectively, leading to inefficient operation and increased maintenance needs due to limited insight into thermal properties and physical strain during load fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating thermal measurement channels within the engine components that extend from the outer surface into the wall, allowing for precise temperature monitoring and strain analysis, which includes the use of sensors placed in these channels to gather detailed and reliable data on temperature and thermal properties during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If thermal measurement channels are integrated into continuous flow engine components, then measurement precision and operational insight are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous flow engine component is segmented by integrating thermal measurement channels at specific locations within the component structure. These channels are positioned to measure temperature at critical points without requiring a complete overhaul of the component design, thus improving measurement precision while limiting complexity increase to specific localized areas rather than the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal measurement channels serve multiple functions: they measure temperature at critical locations, provide operational insight for load management, and enable monitoring of thermal strain on components. This multi-functionality improves measurement precision across various operational conditions while avoiding the need for separate monitoring systems that would increase overall device complexity.
2Reliability
If thermal measurement channels are added to monitor temperature during load changes, then reliability of operation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Thermal measurement channels are integrated into the component design during the manufacturing phase, with sensors pre-positioned in optimal locations to monitor temperature during load changes. This preliminary integration ensures reliable temperature data is available from the start of operation, improving operational reliability without requiring complex post-manufacturing installation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal measurement channels act as intermediaries between the hot fluid stream environment and the temperature sensors. They provide a protected pathway for sensors to access critical thermal zones while shielding them from direct exposure to extreme conditions, thus improving measurement reliability while simplifying the manufacturing process compared to direct sensor placement in harsh environments.
3Loss of information
If sensors are placed in thermal measurement channels for detailed monitoring, then loss of information is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Thermal measurement channels are positioned at specific locations within the continuous flow engine component where critical thermal information is generated. By concentrating measurement channels at these key locations rather than distributing them uniformly throughout the system, the patent reduces information loss about critical thermal conditions while minimizing the overall number of sensors required, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal measurement channels extend from the outer surface into the wall of the component, creating a three-dimensional measurement network that captures temperature gradients and thermal strain information. This spatial dimensionality allows comprehensive thermal monitoring with fewer sensors compared to surface-only measurements, reducing information loss while controlling system complexity.
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 solution provides improved insight into the engine's operation, enabling optimized load management, reduced component burden, and extended maintenance intervals by balancing strain and wear, while preventing human errors and improving sensor longevity through precise placement and protection.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one thermal measurement channel extends from a side of the continuous flow engine component not being adapted to contact the fluid stream of the continuous flow engine into the wall of the continuous flow engine component
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention refers to a continuous flow engine component providing improved means to provide sensor data during utilization of the corresponding continuous flow engine component (2). Furthermore, the present invention refers to a continuous flow engine providing an improved monitoring based on such continuous flow engine. Additionally, the present invention refers to a method to improve the insight into the operation of such continuous flow engine utilizing such means. Furthermore, the present invention refers to the use of such improved continuous flow engine component (2) to increase the insight and operation of a continuous flow engine.