Magnetic Chip Detector for Gas Turbine Engine Shutdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing metal particle detectors in gas turbine engines are inadequate for reliably detecting metallic particles during engine operation and shutdown, as they may not retain attracted chips when the engine is not in operation and can falsely alarm due to small particles.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic chip detector system with conductor members exposed to the lubricant flow, featuring an electromagnet with a coil wrapped around a ferromagnetic core, which maintains an intrinsic magnetic field strength during engine shutdown to retain detected chips and differentiate between small particles and larger chips through controlled magnetic field variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electromagnets are used to confirm chip detection, then detection reliability is improved, but the ability to retain attracted chips when the engine is not in operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary magnetization of the ferromagnetic core during engine operation or shutdown procedures, creating an intrinsic magnetic field that retains chips before the engine is fully shut down. This preliminary action ensures chips are captured and held securely even when power is reduced or eliminated.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the magnetic field parameters by transitioning from an active electromagnetic field during operation to an intrinsic residual magnetic field during shutdown. The ferromagnetic core maintains a sustained magnetic field through its material properties, allowing chip retention without continuous power supply.
2Measurement precision
If magnetic field strength is increased to detect smaller particles, then detection sensitivity is improved, but false alarms from small particles increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial magnetization during normal operation, creating a magnetic field strength that is sufficient to attract larger metallic chips but not strong enough to attract smaller non-critical particles. This selective attraction reduces false alarms while maintaining detection sensitivity for harmful chip sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates different magnetic field conditions in different operational states: a moderate field during operation for selective chip detection, and a stronger intrinsic field during shutdown for secure chip retention. This local differentiation of magnetic properties allows the system to optimize for different detection needs at different times.
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 system effectively detects metallic chips of various sizes by maintaining a strong magnetic field during shutdown and reducing false alarms from small particles, ensuring accurate detection and reducing unnecessary maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
at least a first one of the conductor members including an electromagnet including a coil wrapped around a ferromagnetic core
Implementation Method 2
interrupting the electrical current circulation in the coil for an engine shut-down period of time during which the intrinsic magnetic field strength remains in the ferromagnetic core
Data Source
AI summary
A gas turbine engine can have a magnetic chip detector system with a first conductor member and a second conductor member both exposed to a lubricant flow path of the gas turbine engine, at least a first one of the conductor members including an electromagnet including a coil wrapped around a ferromagnetic core. As part of an engine shutdown procedure, an intrinsic magnetic field strength within the ferromagnetic core can be increased by circulating electrical current in the coil, and the electrical current circulation can then be interrupted for the magnetic field to remain active during engine shutdown.