High-Temperature Sensor Network With Integrated EM Signal Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional semiconductor devices have limited functionality in high-temperature applications, making it challenging to provide reliable electromagnetic communication and power in harsh environments like gas turbine engines, where wiring constraints and interference issues are prevalent.
Innovation Solution
A network of sensing/control/identification devices using wide band gap semiconductor devices, such as silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN), operable at temperatures greater than 200 degrees C, integrated with shielding and communication paths within machine components to route electromagnetic signals, enabling reliable communication and power transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional semiconductor devices are used in high-temperature environments, then device functionality is limited, but using wide band gap semiconductor devices increases manufacturing complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from conventional silicon semiconductor materials to wide band gap semiconductor materials (such as silicon carbide or gallium nitride) that can operate reliably at temperatures above 200 degrees Celsius. This material parameter change enables the sensing/control/identification devices to function in high-temperature environments like gas turbine engines, directly resolving the reliability limitation of conventional devices while accepting the associated manufacturing complexity.
2Reliability
If wire routing is used to connect sensors in difficult-to-access locations, then communication reliability improves, but cable cost, volume, and weight exceed desired limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wire routing system with an electromagnetic field-based power and data transmission system. Electromagnetic signals are transmitted through the gas turbine engine components themselves (such as through the compressor housing or turbine casing) to reach sensing/control/identification devices in difficult-to-access locations. This eliminates the need for physical cable routing, significantly reducing cable weight, volume, and installation complexity while maintaining communication reliability in harsh environments.
3Reliability
If cable systems are used for sensor interconnection, then signal transmission is reliable, but cable volume and cost increase beyond practical limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mechanical cable interconnection system with an electromagnetic field transmission system that utilizes the existing gas turbine engine structure as the transmission medium. Electromagnetic signals carry both power and data to sensing/control/identification devices without requiring bulky cable assemblies. This approach dramatically reduces the volume occupied by interconnection systems while maintaining reliable signal transmission through the use of electromagnetic coupling and shielding techniques.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional interconnect systems are used in harsh environments, then installation is straightforward, but interconnect failures increase due to environmental exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical interconnect systems (cables, connectors, and wiring harnesses) with an electromagnetic field-based transmission system that is inherently more resistant to harsh environmental conditions. Electromagnetic signals transmitted through shielded paths or waveguide structures integrated into the gas turbine engine components are not susceptible to the same failure modes as physical cable systems exposed to high temperature, vibration, and chemical environments. This substitution maintains installation simplicity while dramatically improving interconnect reliability.
5Reliability
If shielding is added to contain electromagnetic signals, then communication reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the shielding function with the existing gas turbine engine component structures. Instead of adding separate shielding enclosures around each sensing/control/identification device, the engine components themselves (such as compressor housing, turbine casing, or blade roots) are designed to provide electromagnetic shielding through their inherent metallic construction and geometry. This integration approach maintains communication reliability by containing electromagnetic signals while avoiding the additional complexity of separate shielding structures.
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
This solution allows for reliable electromagnetic communication and power transmission in high-temperature environments, reducing cable and interconnecting system costs, weight, and increasing reliability while maintaining system accuracy and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
at least a portion of the sensing/control/identification devices comprise a wide band gap semiconductor device... the wide band gap semiconductor device operates at a temperature greater than 200 degrees C
Implementation Method 2
A communication path is integrally formed in a component of the machine to route a portion of the electromagnetic signals through the component
Implementation Method 3
Shielding surrounds at least one of the sensing/control/identification devices to contain the electromagnetic signals proximate to the at least one sub-system component
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a network of a plurality of sensing/control/identification devices distributed throughout a machine, each of the sensing/control/identification devices associated with at least one sub-system component of the machine and operable to communicate through a plurality of electromagnetic signals. Shielding surrounds at least one of the sensing/control/identification devices to contain the electromagnetic signals proximate to the at least one sub-system component. A communication path is integrally formed in a component of the machine to route a portion of the electromagnetic signals through the component and a remote processing unit operable to communicate with the network of the sensing/control/identification devices through the electromagnetic signals, wherein at least a portion of the sensing/control/identification devices comprise a wide band gap semiconductor device and wherein at least a portion of the sensing/control/identification devices comprise an on-chip antenna.