Multi-channel Transducer with Distributed Sensing Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transducers lack efficient multi-channel, multi-range capabilities, particularly in applications like gas turbine engines, where precise measurement and redundancy are crucial but often require a large number of sensing elements with overlapping or non-overlapping ranges, leading to inefficiencies and potential measurement inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
A multi-channel, multi-range transducer design with N channels and M sensing elements, where each sensing element is centered on distinct calibration points and distributed across channels, allowing for adjacent measuring ranges to be in different channels, optimizing the number of sensing elements needed and enabling redundancy through cross-channel communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensing elements with overlapping measuring ranges are used to achieve multi-range capabilities, then measurement coverage is improved, but the number of sensing elements increases leading to increased device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer is divided into N independent channels, each containing sensing elements centered on distinct calibration points. This segmentation allows each channel to handle specific measuring ranges independently, reducing the total number of sensing elements needed while maintaining multi-range capability across all channels.
Solution Approach 2:
Each sensing element is designed to be multi-functional, capable of operating across different measuring ranges by being centered on distinct calibration points. This universality allows a single sensing element to serve multiple measurement purposes, reducing the overall number of elements required in the transducer.
2Reliability
If redundant sensing elements are added to ensure measurement reliability, then system reliability is improved, but the quantity of sensing elements increases leading to larger device size
Solution Approach 1:
Redundancy is achieved by distributing sensing elements across N channels rather than duplicating elements within a single channel. This dimensional distribution allows the system to maintain reliability through cross-channel verification while minimizing the total volume occupied by sensing elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple sensing elements are merged into a single integrated transducer structure with N channels. This combining approach maintains reliability through redundancy while consolidating the physical footprint, reducing the overall transducer size compared to having separate redundant transducers.
3Measurement precision
If sensing elements are distributed across multiple channels with distinct calibration points, then measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to cross-channel coordination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Each channel is assigned sensing elements with distinct calibration points optimized for local measurement conditions. This local quality approach allows each channel to achieve high precision for its specific measuring range while the overall system maintains coordination through the structured N-channel architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
There is described a multi-channel, multi-range transducer for measuring a parameter, the transducer comprising N channels and M sensing elements, the M sensing elements centered on distinct calibration points of distinct measuring ranges, the M sensing elements distributed across the N channels of the transducer, wherein sensing elements having adjacent measuring ranges are provided in different ones of the N channels.