Gas Turbine Sensor Device Blockage Detection via Time Derivative Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sensor devices in gas turbine engines face challenges in detecting blockages in inlet ducts, which can lead to unreliable measurements of fluid properties, such as temperature and pressure, affecting the engine's nominal operating behavior.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device with a data processing unit that calculates the first derivative of measured values over time to detect changes, comparing them to prestored data to infer blockages, and outputs a signal for potential blockages, allowing for precise detection of deviations from nominal behavior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor device monitors fluid properties continuously, then the reliability of detection is improved, but the complexity of the data processing system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent stores reference measured value profiles and their derivatives in advance in a database. During operation, the actual measured values and their derivatives are compared against these pre-stored reference profiles to detect blockages. This preliminary preparation of reference data simplifies the real-time detection process while maintaining high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical blockage detection mechanisms with a computational approach. Instead of using mechanical sensors or complex physical detection systems, the invention uses mathematical differentiation of measured values over time and compares these derivatives against reference profiles. This substitution of mechanical systems with computational methods reduces physical complexity while improving detection reliability.
2Reliability
If the sensor device detects blockages early, then the prevention of damage is improved, but the false alarm rate may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback by continuously comparing actual measured value derivatives against pre-stored reference profiles. The system adjusts its detection criteria based on this comparison, only triggering a blockage alarm when the deviation exceeds predetermined thresholds. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate detection while minimizing false alarms by validating changes against established reference behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter being analyzed from raw measured values to their time derivatives. By analyzing the rate of change rather than absolute values, the system can detect blockages at earlier stages when changes are subtle, improving early detection capability. The use of derivative parameters allows the system to identify trends and patterns that indicate developing blockages before they become severe, while the comparison against reference derivative profiles maintains accuracy and reduces false alarms.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor device determines measured values of a property of a fluid, in particular of a gas, in a cavity of a gas turbine engine having a duct for carrying the fluid from the cavity to a sensor element. A data processing device is coupled to the sensor element and processes the measured values. The data processing device has a device for detecting changes in the measured values with respect to time, and an evaluation device, by which the changes in the measured values with respect to time can be detected. If there is a deviation in the changes in the measured values with respect to time from a predefined criterion, a signal relating to an at least partial blockage of the at least one inlet duct can be output. A measurement method is also disclosed.