Multispectral Mask Sensor Array for Turbine Flame Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chemiluminescence imaging systems for monitoring turbine engine combustor flames are bulky, costly, and require complex optical designs due to the need for multiple CCD or CMOS cameras with band-pass filters, making them inefficient for capturing two-dimensional spectral images of electronically excited radicals.
Innovation Solution
A chemiluminescence imaging system utilizing a single sensor array with a multispectral mask array featuring pseudo-randomly distributed band-pass filters and an attenuation filter array, combined with an image reconstruction algorithm, allows for the capture and reconstruction of high-quality images of turbine combustor flames, reducing system size and cost while improving image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple CCD or CMOS cameras with band-pass filters are used to capture chemiluminescence emission, then measurement precision of spectral imaging is improved, but device complexity and system footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple band-pass filters onto a single sensor array to capture multiple spectral bands simultaneously. This merging approach eliminates the need for multiple separate cameras and complex optical paths, reducing system footprint and complexity while maintaining the capability to measure chemiluminescence emission at different wavelengths for accurate spectral imaging
Solution Approach 2:
The single sensor array is designed to perform multiple functions by incorporating different band-pass filters that can detect various spectral bands. This multi-functional design allows one device to replace multiple specialized cameras, achieving spectral imaging capability without requiring separate imaging systems for each wavelength range
2Measurement precision
If multiple cameras with band-pass filters are deployed for chemiluminescence imaging, then spectral measurement capability is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple spectral filtering functions into a single sensor array assembly, reducing the total number of components required. This consolidation lowers procurement costs by eliminating redundant cameras and optical systems, while also reducing maintenance requirements and associated costs
3Device complexity
If a single sensor array with multispectral mask is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully designs the integration of multiple band-pass filters on a single sensor array to maintain spectral resolution. By selecting appropriate filter wavelengths and bandwidths that correspond to chemiluminescence emission lines, the system achieves accurate spectral measurements while benefiting from the simplified single-array architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different band-pass filters to different regions of the sensor array, with each region optimized for specific wavelength ranges. This local optimization ensures that each part of the sensor array captures the most relevant spectral information for chemiluminescence imaging, maintaining high measurement precision despite the simplified overall structure
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 provides compact, cost-effective imaging capable of evaluating spatial distributions of heat release and fuel-to-air ratios in turbine engine combustor flames, using a single exposure and advanced image reconstruction techniques like Dictionary Learning to achieve improved image quality and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
measures chemiluminescence over a spatial area
Implementation Method 2
a multispectral mask array having a plurality of cells with each cell associated with a respective pixel and being one of a plurality of band-pass filter types
Implementation Method 3
an attenuation filter array adjacent to the multispectral mask array and having a plurality of cells with each cell associated with a respective cell of the multispectral mask array for obtaining proper exposure of each of the plurality of pixels
Data Source
AI summary
A chemiluminescence imaging system that may be used for monitoring a combustor flame of a gas turbine engine includes a sensor array having a plurality of pixels operable to capture an image. A multispectral mask array and an attenuation filer array of the system may be generally placed in front of the sensor array and each have a plurality of cells that are generally align, respectively, to the plurality of pixels. Each cell is generally one of a plurality of band-pass filter types distributed randomly across the multispectral mask array and an image reconstruction algorithm is used to produce at least one image for evaluating properties of the flame.