Integrated Igniter with Pressure Sense Passages
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing gas turbine engine systems require numerous components to mount pressure sensors, increasing assembly time, weight, and cost, particularly due to the separate installation of igniters and pressure sensors in combustor and afterburner systems.
Innovation Solution
An integrated igniter device with a housing that includes both an electrode for sparking and pressure sense passages, where the pressure sense passages direct fluid to pressure sensors, reducing the number of mounting components needed by integrating the igniter and pressure sensing functions into a single component.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate pressure sensors with sense tubes are mounted to the combustion system, then pressure sensing capability is provided, but assembly complexity and component quantity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pressure sensing function with the igniter assembly by integrating pressure sense passages directly into the igniter housing. This merging eliminates the need for separate pressure sensors and sense tubes, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining pressure sensing capability. The igniter housing now serves dual purposes: ignition and pressure sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The igniter housing is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides structural support for the ignition electrode and simultaneously houses pressure sense passages for pressure measurement. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed in the combustion system while ensuring reliable operation.
2Reliability
If multiple mounting components (brackets, fittings, tube assemblies) are used to attach pressure sensors, then pressure sensing is achieved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the pressure sensing function into the igniter housing, the patent eliminates multiple separate mounting components including brackets, fittings, and tube assemblies. This integration significantly reduces the total weight of the combustion system while maintaining the necessary pressure sensing function.
3Reliability
If separate pressure sensors with multiple mounting components are installed, then pressure measurement is provided, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of pressure sense passages into the igniter housing allows for a single assembly operation rather than multiple separate installations. This merging of functions dramatically reduces assembly time while ensuring reliable pressure measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure sense passages are pre-integrated into the igniter housing during manufacturing, so that during final assembly, no additional components need to be installed. This preliminary integration of the pressure sensing function into the igniter structure eliminates time-consuming on-site assembly steps.
4Reliability
If multiple sense tubes extend through the diffuser casing, then pressure sensing is achieved, but the number of penetrations in the diffuser casing increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the pressure sensing function with the igniter assembly, the patent reduces the number of separate sense tubes that need to penetrate the diffuser casing. The integrated design allows pressure sensing to be achieved with fewer penetrations, simplifying the diffuser casing structure and reducing assembly complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An igniter device (30;130;230;330) for a combustion system (10) includes an igniter housing (42;142;242;342) and a pressure sense passage (50;150;250;350). The igniter housing (42;142;242;342)s urrounds an electrode (46;146;246;346) and an insulating body (44;144;244;344). The igniter has a tip (34;134;234;334) to be positioned within a chamber for combustion (18). The pressure sense passage (50;150;250;350) is attached to an exterior surface of the igniter housing. The pressure sense passage (50;150;250;350) is configured to direct a fluid to a pressure sensor (37).