Gas Turbine Sensor Shutter Mechanism for Harsh Environment Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbine engine sensors, especially optical sensors, face signal degradation and mechanical damage due to exposure to contaminants and harsh conditions in the hot gas path, leading to reduced accuracy and shortened service life.
Innovation Solution
A shutter mechanism with rotatable leaf members that selectively opens and closes a sensing window to shield the sensor from contaminants and harsh conditions, using pressurization fluid for actuation and ensuring continuous cooling airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor is positioned in exposure to the hot gas path to accurately measure conditions, then measurement precision is improved, but the sensor is subjected to thermal and mechanical stresses that reduce its service life and reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter mechanism dynamically opens and closes to control sensor exposure. The shutter is positioned to cover the sensor during harsh conditions and opens to allow measurements, creating a dynamic protective barrier that adapts to operational needs rather than maintaining a static exposure state
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter acts as an intermediary element between the sensor and the hot gas path. It mediates the interaction by selectively allowing or blocking exposure, protecting the sensor from direct contact with contaminants and extreme conditions while still enabling measurement capability when needed
2Productivity
If the sensor is continuously exposed to the hot gas path for monitoring, then productivity is improved, but contaminants degrade signal quality and reduce measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter operates periodically, opening at scheduled intervals to allow measurements and closing at other times to protect the sensor. This periodic exposure pattern maintains measurement capability while preventing continuous contamination buildup that would degrade signal quality
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter mechanism enables continuous monitoring capability by rapidly opening and closing to allow measurements while maintaining protection. The useful action of monitoring continues without interruption in terms of system readiness, even though actual sensor exposure occurs in periodic bursts
3Reliability
If a shutter mechanism is added to protect the sensor, then reliability and service life are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter mechanism is extracted as a separate, modular component from the sensor assembly. This allows the protective function to be added independently without redesigning the entire sensor system, simplifying integration and maintenance while providing reliable protection
4Measurement precision
If the shutter is opened frequently for measurements, then measurement precision is maintained, but the sensor is exposed longer to harmful conditions reducing its service life
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter opens only partially or for minimal necessary durations to obtain required measurements, rather than remaining fully open. This partial exposure approach provides sufficient measurement capability while minimizing the sensor's exposure time to harmful hot gas path conditions, thereby extending service life
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 shutter mechanism extends the service life and accuracy of the sensor by protecting it from fouling, overheating, and mechanical stress, while allowing controlled exposure for measurements.
Implementation Method 1
using pressurization fluid for actuation
Implementation Method 2
ensuring continuous cooling airflow
Data Source
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AI summary
A turbine engine (12) including a stationary component (28) having a probe opening (29), a plurality of rotor blades (26, 27) rotatable relative to the stationary component (28), and a sensor (40) assembly (30) disposed within the probe opening (29). The sensor (40) assembly (30) includes a sensor (40) and a shutter mechanism (42) having a shutter frame (44) with a sensing window (46) and at least one leaf member (48) coupled to the shutter frame (44). The sensor (40) assembly (30) includes an actuator (50) including a rotatable member (52) having a receiving slot (80) and a stator (54) having a stopper member (86) within the receiving slot (80). The rotatable member (52) rotates relative to the stator (54) over a range of motion defined relative to the stopper member (86), and the rotatable member (52) is coupled to the at least one leaf member (48) such that rotating the rotatable member (52) in a first direction uncovers the sensing window (46), and such that counter-rotating the rotatable member (52) in a second direction covers the sensing window (46) with the at least one leaf member (48). Selectively covering the sensor (40) when not in use protects the sensor (40) from exposure to harsh conditions, extending its operative life.