Monolithic Additive Pressure Probe for Gas Turbines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensing instrumentation in gas turbine engines, such as kiel ports, often obstruct core airflow and cause undesirable drag due to external tubing and kiel constructions, which impede accurate pressure and temperature measurements.
Innovation Solution
The integration of tubing and kiels within the airfoil body of a pressure probe, using additive manufacturing techniques like Direct Metal Laser Sintering, allows for a monolithic construction that minimizes airflow disruption and eliminates the need for external fittings, enabling precise alignment and reduced drag.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If external tubing and kiel constructions are used to transmit core air samples, then pressure and temperature measurements can be obtained, but airflow obstruction and drag increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tubing and kiel constructions with the probe body by integrating them into a single monolithic structure manufactured via additive manufacturing. This eliminates separate external components that cause airflow obstruction while maintaining the functional capability to transmit core air samples for pressure and temperature measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubing is nested within the probe body structure, with kiel constructions integrated into the monolithic form. This nesting approach allows the sensing components to be contained within the aerodynamic shape of the probe, minimizing external protrusions that would interfere with airflow.
2Measurement precision
If kiel ports are attached to surfaces throughout the gas turbine engine, then operational condition measurements are enabled, but the engine efficiency decreases due to drag
Solution Approach 1:
The kiel ports are merged with the probe body into a single integrated component. This integration eliminates the need for separate kiel attachments on engine surfaces, reducing the total surface area and number of components that create drag, while preserving the measurement function through the monolithic structure's internal tubing and kiel design.
3Measurement precision
If conventional sensing instrumentation is used, then pressure and temperature data can be collected, but potential leaks occur at fittings and connections
Solution Approach 1:
The tubing, kiel constructions, and probe body are merged into a single monolithic component manufactured via additive manufacturing. This integration eliminates multiple fittings and connections that would serve as potential leak paths, creating a continuous sealed structure that maintains system integrity while enabling pressure and temperature data collection.
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 design minimizes airflow impingement and drag, allowing for accurate and non-disruptive pressure and temperature measurements within the gas turbine engine, enhancing operational efficiency by reducing pressure drop and eliminating potential leaks.
Implementation Method 1
The structures described herein include tubing built into the body of an airfoil. Furthermore, kiels are built into the airfoil. By additively manufacturing the tubing and the kiels monolithically within the airfoils
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A pressure probe includes a non-deflecting airfoil, a sensing feature, and an interior passage. The non-deflecting airfoil is made of a metal and configured for use in a gas turbine engine. The airfoil extends from a base to a tapered portion, and thence to a linear portion, along a primary axis. The sensing feature is formed monolithically with the airfoil, as by additive manufacturing. The interior passage is operatively connected to the sensing feature and passes through both the airfoil and the base.