Gas Turbine Ignition System Energy Extraction for Chip Zapper

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas turbine engines face challenges with energy generation for chip zapping units due to space-intensive and weight-heavy electronic control units, which also suffer from electromagnetic interference and lightning threats, necessitating a more efficient energy supply for metal particle attraction in lubrication systems.

Innovation Solution

The energy generation system utilizes the ignition system's excess energy, specifically through a shunt circuitry connected to the chip zapping unit, eliminating the need for additional energy generation units within the electronic control unit and reducing electromagnetic interference by separating high and low energy components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the electronic control unit generates high energy pulses for the chip zapper, then the chip zapper can attract metal particles effectively, but the footprint and weight of the electronic control unit increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechip zapper functionalityVSAvoidelectronic control unit
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the energy generation function from the electronic control unit and places it in a separate dedicated energy generation unit. This separation removes the heavy and space-intensive high energy pulse generation circuitry from the ECU, allowing the ECU to maintain a compact form factor while the chip zapper still receives the necessary high energy pulses for effective metal particle attraction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the electronic control unit includes energy generation circuits for the chip zapper, then operational energy can be supplied, but electromagnetic interference and lightning threats increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy supply to chip zapperVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the high energy pulse generation function from the electronic control unit and places it in a separate dedicated energy generation unit. This physical separation isolates the high energy circuits that generate electromagnetic interference from the sensitive low energy control circuits in the ECU, thereby reducing electromagnetic interference and lightning threat exposure while maintaining the chip zapper's operational energy supply

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Area of stationary object

If the electronic control unit is compact, then space is saved, but adding energy generation circuits increases footprint

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectronic control unit footprintVSAvoidenergy generation circuits
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex energy generation circuits from the electronic control unit and places them in a separate dedicated unit. This allows the ECU to maintain a compact footprint without the space-intensive high energy pulse generation circuitry, while the chip zapper still receives adequate operational energy from the separate energy generation unit

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the control system into two independent units: a compact electronic control unit for low energy control functions and a separate energy generation unit for high energy pulse generation. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized for its specific function, keeping the ECU compact while providing the necessary high energy capability for the chip zapper

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 approach reduces the footprint and weight of the electronic control unit, enhances reliability, and minimizes electromagnetic interference, while efficiently powering the chip zapping unit to attract metal particles in the lubrication system.

Implementation Method 1

an energy generation system of a gas turbine engine comprises an ignition system, the ignition system having an energy output and configured to supply operational energy to the energy output

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The chip zapper is typically immersed in the lubrication fluid together with the chip detector. The chip zapper in the magnetically attracts, for example, ferromagnetic particles suspended in the fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 3

when a chip enters a chip detector, a capacitor is discharged through the chip to heat and burn away the unwanted particles or chips

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3312393B1Method and system for supplying charge pulses to a chip zapper of a gas turbine engine
Publication Date: 2020.04.15 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC
  • EP3312393B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3312393B1 patent drawingFigure 3-1~3-2
  • EP3312393B1 patent drawingFigure 3-3~3-4

AI summary

A gas turbine engine comprises an ignition system (3), the ignition system having an energy output (3-1) and configured to supply operational energy to the energy output, and a chip zapping unit (4) having an energy input (4-1), the energy input coupled to the energy output of the ignition system to receive the operational energy therefrom. Such a system generates the operational energy needed for the chip zapping unit directly from the ignition system thus avoiding pulse generation circuitry inside an electronic control unit.