Oil Debris Monitor Phase-Angle Tracking for Particle Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing oil debris monitor systems in gas turbine engines face challenges in validating accuracy, particularly due to hardcoded phase angles that can change based on system conditions, leading to reduced particle detection capability and misclassification, and require human expertise to confirm particle detection in noisy environments.

Innovation Solution

The method involves collecting I and Q channel data from oil debris monitor sensors, performing a fast Fourier transform, and determining the presence of particles by identifying specific shapes, such as a bow shape, to dynamically calculate and monitor the phase angle, allowing for real-time classification and rejection of false detections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a fixed phase angle is used in the software, then the system is simple to operate, but particle detection accuracy is reduced and misclassification occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem operation simplicityVSAvoidparticle detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic phase angle adjustment by continuously monitoring the phase angle derived from I and Q channel data and comparing it to a reference phase angle. When deviations exceed a threshold, the system automatically adjusts the phase angle to maintain optimal particle detection accuracy, transforming the static fixed phase angle into a dynamic adaptive parameter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback loop where the phase angle is continuously calculated from sensor data, compared against a reference value, and adjusted based on the deviation. This closed-loop control ensures that particle detection accuracy is maintained despite changes in system conditions, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and detection precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If phase angle is hardcoded into the system, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of particle detection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidparticle detection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the hardcoded static phase angle into a dynamic parameter that is continuously monitored and adjusted based on real-time sensor data. This allows the system to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining reliability, without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the phase angle parameter dynamically based on monitored conditions rather than keeping it fixed. By implementing threshold-based adjustment and continuous monitoring, the system maintains detection reliability while managing complexity through automated parameter adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If human expertise is used to confirm particle detection, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle detection validation accuracyVSAvoiddetection system efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-validating system where the oil debris monitor automatically confirms particle detections by analyzing the phase angle and comparing it to reference values. The system self-adjusts the phase angle and validates detections without requiring human intervention, maintaining precision while significantly improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The automated feedback mechanism continuously validates particle detections by comparing measured phase angles against reference values and adjusting accordingly. This self-validating process eliminates the need for manual confirmation while maintaining high measurement precision, resolving the contradiction between accuracy and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Adaptability or versatility

If phase angle changes based on system condition, then adaptability is improved, but stability of phase angle deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem adaptability to conditionsVSAvoidphase angle stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic phase angle system that adapts to changing system conditions while maintaining stability through continuous monitoring and threshold-based adjustment. The phase angle changes only when necessary and within controlled limits, balancing adaptability with stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the phase angle parameter based on monitored conditions but maintains stability by implementing threshold-based control and continuous validation. This allows necessary adaptations while preventing excessive or unstable changes, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11137383B2Active oil debris monitor particle detection and monitoring system

Publication Date: 2021.10.05 RTX CORP

AI summary

A method for determining the presence of a particle while actively calculating and monitoring oil debris monitor phase angle in an oil system including collecting I and Q channel data from an oil debris monitor sensor, performing a fast Fourier transform on the I and Q channel data, extracting a shape from the fast Fourier transform, and determining whether a particle is present from the shape.