Flush-Mounted Combined Pressure and Temperature Probe for Gas Turbine Splitters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engine sensor systems occupy space and add weight, and their positioning can disrupt fluid flow, affecting measurement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A compact probe assembly with a pressure sensor and temperature sensor positioned flush with the splitter's inside surface, where the pressure and temperature channels are aligned and separate from each other, minimizing flow interference and allowing for accurate measurement of static pressure and total temperature without protruding into the flowpath.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If probes are positioned to measure temperature and pressure, then measurement capability is improved, but flow disturbance and measurement accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the temperature probe and pressure probe into a single integrated probe assembly. The temperature sensor and pressure sensor are mounted together on the same probe structure, with their sensing elements positioned at the same location on the splitter inner surface. This merging eliminates the need for separate probe installations, reducing overall flow disturbance while maintaining both measurement capabilities simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of protruding probes extending into the flowpath to capture measurements, the invention uses flush-mounted sensors where the sensing elements are positioned exactly at the splitter inner surface. The temperature probe has its sensing element at the flush-mounted tip, and the pressure probe uses a static pressure tap at the same location. This inverted approach eliminates flow disturbance caused by probe protrusion while maintaining measurement accuracy through precise sensor positioning.
2Measurement precision
If multiple probes are installed for comprehensive measurements, then measurement completeness is improved, but device complexity and space occupation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple sensing functions into a single probe assembly. The temperature probe incorporates a temperature sensor, while the pressure probe incorporates a pressure sensor with a static pressure tap. Both probes are mounted on the same structural base at the splitter inner surface, creating a compact multi-functional measurement device that reduces overall complexity compared to separate probe installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe assembly serves multiple measurement functions simultaneously. The integrated structure provides both temperature measurement capability and pressure measurement capability through shared mounting infrastructure. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall system while maintaining comprehensive measurement capabilities.
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 accurate measurement of static pressure and total temperature without flow disturbances, allowing for precise engine control while maintaining a compact and lightweight design.
Implementation Method 1
A pressure sensor measures the static pressure of the primary air at the sensor face through a pressure channel
Implementation Method 2
A temperature sensor measures the total temperature of the primary air at the sensor face through a temperature channel
Data Source
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AI summary
A pressure and temperature probe includes a probe head (52), a probe tip (54) extending from the probe head (52) and ending with a sensor face (56), a pressure channel (62) extending into the probe tip (54) through the sensor face (56), and a temperature channel (64) extending into the probe tip (54) through the sensor face (56). A pressure sensor (58) is in fluid communication with a pressure channel (62) and a temperature sensor (60) in fluid communication with the temperature channel (64). The temperature channel (64) extends parallel to the pressure channel (62), and the temperature channel (64) is fluidly separate from the pressure channel (62). The sensor face (56) can be configured to minimally intrude the flowpath of a working fluid, thereby minimizing disruption of the flowpath. The probe can be configured on a gas turbine engine (10).