High-Temperature Hub Unit for Gas Turbine Sensor Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic systems for processing sensor data from gas turbine engines are limited by temperature constraints, requiring extensive wiring and separate data transmission lines due to the inability of conventional electronics to operate effectively at high temperatures, which complicates engine testing and monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A hub unit with signal conditioning and control circuit boards adapted for high-temperature operation, incorporating continuous calibration and multiplexing capabilities to process analog sensor outputs into digital data, allowing for reduced wiring and remote data processing without active cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional electronic components are used for processing sensor data, then the electronics can operate at lower temperatures with standard components, but the system requires extensive wiring and separate data transmission lines to remote facilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting electronic components with elevated temperature ratings (military standard components rated to 125°C or higher) to enable the hub unit to operate directly in the high-temperature engine environment. This eliminates the need for remote data acquisition facilities and extensive wiring, as all sensor processing occurs locally at the engine site.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are placed near the engine to monitor performance parameters, then accurate real-time data can be obtained, but the electronics require continuous wiring to remote facilities located 50-300 meters away
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensor array and data processing electronics into a single integrated hub unit located directly on the engine. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate data transmission lines to remote facilities, as all sensors process and transmit data locally through a unified system with a single data output line.
3Temperature
If electronic components are rated for higher temperatures, then the hub unit can operate near the engine without active cooling, but component accuracy and precision drift due to aging and temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a continuous calibration system that periodically applies reference voltages and zero voltages to the signal conditioning circuit board to detect and correct drift in the analog signal processing path. This feedback mechanism compensates for component aging and temperature-induced drift, maintaining measurement precision throughout the component's operational life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary calibration by applying reference and zero voltages before normal sensor operation to establish baseline accuracy. This preliminary action ensures that the system starts with known calibration parameters, allowing subsequent drift compensation during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A hub unit adapted for use in a monitoring system that monitors engine performance parameters of a gas turbine engine. The hub unit includes a housing, at least one signal conditioning circuit board within the housing and adapted to receive the analog sensor outputs from the sensors, and a control circuit board within the housing, connected to the signal conditioning circuit board, and adapted to produce digital data corresponding to analog sensor outputs. The control circuit board and the signal conditioning circuit board each comprise electrical circuit components that define an analog signal processing path and have accuracy and precision characteristics that drift in response to component aging and to changes in the temperature to which the hub unit is subjected. The hub unit performs a continuous calibration scheme to determine and remove errors in the analog signal processing path resulting from the drifts of the electrical circuit components.