Gas Turbine Probe Positioning via Signal Trilateration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current visual inspection methods for gas turbine engines lack accurate positioning of probes within the engine, leading to errors in measurements and reduced efficiency during inspections due to minimal information available to inspectors.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that involves positioning location transmitters with known locations relative to the gas turbine engine, a probe with a location signal receiver to receive signals from these transmitters, and a computing device to determine the probe's location using trilateration or triangulation techniques, correlating this to a three-dimensional model for precise visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a probe is inserted into a borescope port for visual inspection, then the inspector can visually examine engine components, but minimal information is available regarding the actual position of the instrument leading to measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs location transmitters positioned at known locations within the engine and a location signal receiver on the probe to continuously provide feedback about the probe's position. The computing device calculates the probe's location based on signals from multiple transmitters and displays this information on a graphical user interface, enabling the inspector to accurately track and record the probe's position throughout the inspection process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary positioning system consisting of location transmitters and a computing device that mediates between the physical probe and the inspection process. This intermediary system translates the probe's physical position into digital location data that can be displayed and recorded, bridging the gap between the inspector's visual observations and precise positional information
2Productivity
If traditional visual inspection methods are used without positioning systems, then the inspection process is simple, but efficiency is reduced due to lack of location data
Solution Approach 1:
The probe is designed with multi-functionality, combining both the visual inspection capabilities (borescope) and the location detection functions (signal receiver) into a single integrated device. This allows the same probe to simultaneously perform visual examination and track its own position, eliminating the need for separate positioning equipment and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The probe performs self-location tracking by using its own integrated signal receiver to detect signals from the location transmitters. The system is self-sufficient in determining the probe's position without requiring external positioning equipment or additional operators, thereby improving inspection efficiency while maintaining manageable 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
Enables accurate and efficient positioning of probes within the engine, enhancing the precision of visual inspections by providing real-time location data and identifying adjacent components, thus improving the inspection process.
Implementation Method 1
determining, by the computing device, a current location of the probe tip within the gas turbine engine based on the location-related signals and the known locations of the location transmitters
Data Source
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AI summary
A method 300 for locating probes 100 within a gas turbine engine 10 may generally include positioning a plurality of location transmitters 204 relative to the engine 10 and inserting a probe 100 through an access port 62 of the engine 10, wherein the probe 100 includes a probe tip 104 and a location signal receiver 120 configured to receive location-related signals transmitted from the location transmitters 204. The method 300 may also include determining a current location of the probe tip 104 within the engine 10 based at least in part on the location-related signals and identifying a virtual location 234 of the probe tip 104 within a three-dimensional model 232 of the engine 10 corresponding to the current location of the probe tip 104 within the engine 10. Moreover, the method 300 may include providing for display the three-dimensional model 232 of the engine 10, wherein the virtual location 234 of the probe tip 104 is displayed as a visual indicator within the three-dimensional model 232.