Interlocking Protective Sleeve for Turbine Temperature Probes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Temperature probes in gas turbine engines face damage from thermal and mechanical stresses, leading to costly replacements and increased downtime due to fretting and leakage of hot gas.

Innovation Solution

A protective sleeve composed of interlocking portions with filler material is designed to fit around temperature probes, providing a radially sealed and thermally insulated barrier against high-temperature fluids and mechanical contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If temperature probes are placed in the hot flow path to monitor temperature, then temperature monitoring capability is improved, but the probes are damaged by thermal and mechanical stresses leading to costly replacements and increased downtime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature monitoring capabilityVSAvoidprobe durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A protective sleeve acts as an intermediary between the temperature probe and the harsh hot flow path environment. The sleeve is positioned in the hot flow path while the probe remains protected inside, allowing the probe to monitor temperature without direct exposure to thermal and mechanical stresses that cause damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective sleeve is designed as a replaceable, cost-effective component that can be easily installed and removed. When the sleeve becomes damaged or worn, it can be replaced without replacing the entire expensive temperature probe assembly, thereby reducing maintenance costs and downtime

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Measurement precision

If the probe is exposed to the hot flow path for accurate temperature measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but fretting against the radiation shield damages the outer covering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidfretting damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective sleeve serves as a mediator that allows the probe to maintain its position in the hot flow path for accurate temperature measurement while preventing direct contact between the probe's outer covering and the radiation shield, thereby eliminating fretting damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective sleeve functions as a flexible protective shell that surrounds the probe, allowing thermal energy to pass through for accurate measurement while providing a protective barrier against mechanical fretting and contact with surrounding components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Measurement precision

If the probe operates in the high-temperature environment, then temperature monitoring function is fulfilled, but hot gas leakage into the thermocouple causes damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature monitoring functionVSAvoidhot gas leakage damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective sleeve acts as an intermediary barrier between the hot flow path and the thermocouple interior, allowing thermal energy to pass through for monitoring while preventing actual hot gas leakage into the thermocouple where it would cause damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 sleeve effectively reduces damage to temperature probes by preventing fretting and thermal exposure, lowering replacement costs and minimizing downtime for gas turbine engines.

Implementation Method 1

providing a radially sealed and thermally insulated barrier against high-temperature fluids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

A protective sleeve composed of interlocking portions with filler material is designed to fit around temperature probes, providing a radially sealed barrier

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical sealing: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS11243119B2Protective sleeve for a component of a turbine engine and method of installing the same

Publication Date: 2022.02.08 GE INFRASTRUCTURE TECH LLC

AI summary

A sleeve for a probe of an environment-sensing device is provided. The sleeve includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a first inner surface, a first outer surface, a first body extending between the first inner surface and the first outer surface, at least one first body channel, and a first-portion projection extending axially along the first portion. The second portion includes a second inner surface, a second outer surface, a second body extending between the second inner surface and the second outer surface, at least one second body channel, and a second-portion receiving channel extending axially along the second portion. The at least one first body channel and at least one second body channel include a filler material. The first portion and the second portion are configured to couple together by mating the first-portion projection with the second-portion receiving channel.