Integrated Gas Temperature Probe for Harsh Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas temperature measurement technologies in harsh environments, such as gas turbine engines, face inaccuracies and high costs due to radiation effects, low spatial resolution, and shortened service life of thermocouple wires, necessitating increased thermal margins and redundant measurement devices.
Innovation Solution
An integrated multi-function gas temperature measurement probe that combines high-temperature thermocouples, thin filament pyrometry, and gas emissions sampling, with an optical system and gas analyzer, to provide accurate three-dimensional temperature and species concentration measurements, reducing hardware requirements and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If increased thermal margins are used to extend service life of high-temperature components, then component durability is improved, but production costs increase and spatial resolution of temperature measurements deteriorates due to increased wall thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple temperature measurement techniques (thin filament pyrometry, high-temperature thermocouples, and gas sampling probes) into a single integrated probe assembly. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate devices, reducing hardware requirements and production costs while maintaining accurate temperature measurement capability even with increased component wall thicknesses.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated probe performs multiple functions simultaneously: it measures temperature through thin filament pyrometry and thermocouples, samples gas emissions for composition analysis, and provides spatially-resolved temperature profiles. This multi-functionality replaces several separate measurement devices, reducing overall system cost and complexity while extending service life through ruggedized design.
2Reliability
If redundant temperature measurement devices are installed to overcome measurement inaccuracies, then measurement reliability is improved, but hardware requirements and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates three distinct temperature measurement techniques (thin filament pyrometry, high-temperature thermocouples, and gas sampling) into a single probe assembly. This consolidation provides redundant measurement capabilities within one device, improving reliability without requiring multiple separate instruments and reducing overall hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated probe enables cross-validation of temperature measurements through multiple independent techniques measured simultaneously at the same location. The thin filament pyrometry, thermocouples, and gas sampling data can be compared and validated against each other, providing feedback that enhances measurement reliability while using a single unified device rather than multiple independent systems.
3Measurement precision
If thin filament pyrometry and high-temperature thermocouples are used for temperature measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but spatial resolution deteriorates due to low spatial resolution features
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated probe incorporates multiple measurement elements (thin filaments, thermocouples, sampling apertures) positioned at different locations and orientations within the probe assembly. This segmentation of measurement functions across multiple elements enables spatially-resolved temperature profiles to be constructed by combining data from various positions, achieving both high measurement accuracy and improved spatial resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from point measurements to three-dimensional temperature field mapping by using multiple measurement elements arranged in specific spatial configurations. The thin filament pyrometry and thermocouple data are combined to reconstruct three-dimensional temperature distributions, adding spatial dimensionality to the measurements and achieving both accuracy and spatial resolution.
4Loss of time
If thermocouple wires are positioned in high-temperature environments for real-time measurement, then operational temperature data is obtained, but service life of thermocouple wires is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a water-cooling system as an intermediary between the thermocouple wires and the high-temperature combustion gases. The cooling channels and water flow act as a thermal barrier, maintaining the thermocouple wires at lower temperatures while still enabling real-time temperature measurements of the hot gas path, thereby extending wire service life without sacrificing monitoring capability.
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 integrated system enhances measurement accuracy and spatial resolution, extends service life through water-cooling, and facilitates cross-validation of data, reducing physical intrusion and material costs while improving temperature profiling in high-temperature environments.
Implementation Method 1
thin filament pyrometry (TFP)... Each technique has characteristics that facilitate accurate and reliable temperature measurements
Implementation Method 2
at least one high-temperature thermocouple inserted within the outer casing... high-temperature thermocouples... facilitate accurate and reliable temperature measurements
Implementation Method 3
extends service life through water-cooling
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-function gas temperature measurement probe includes an outer casing, at least one high-temperature thermocouple inserted within the outer casing, at least one gas emissions sampling aperture defined within the outer casing, and at least one thin filament coupled to the outer casing. The at least one high-temperature thermocouple, the at least one gas emissions sampling aperture, and the at least one thin filament are proximate to each other.