Optical Probe Capsule for Gas Turbine Temperature Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermocouples used in gas turbine power plants are unable to withstand the high temperatures of new generation gas turbines, leading to reliability and accuracy issues in temperature detection.
Innovation Solution
A temperature detecting device employing optical probes housed within ceramic capsules that act as black bodies, detecting infrared radiation to measure temperature, providing immunity to interference and high accuracy, and featuring multiple probes for enhanced reliability and spatial temperature distribution analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If thermocouples are used for temperature detection, then the device can detect temperature in conventional gas turbines, but the thermocouples cannot withstand the high temperatures of new generation gas turbines and melt
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical thermocouple system with an optical measurement system. The optical probe detects temperature through infrared radiation without physical contact with the hot gas, eliminating the material melting problem while maintaining temperature detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule acts as an intermediary black body that converts the high-temperature environment into a measurable infrared radiation signal. It protects the optical probe from direct exposure to extreme temperatures while enabling temperature measurement through radiation detection.
2Measurement precision
If thermocouples are used, then temperature detection is possible, but they are affected by electromagnetic interference and other environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The optical measurement system replaces electrical measurement methods, making the temperature detection immune to electromagnetic interference, radio frequencies, and other electrical environmental factors that affect thermocouples.
3Measurement precision
If optical probes are used, then immunity to interference and high measurement accuracy are achieved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for capsules and optical components
Solution Approach 1:
The optical probe is nested within the capsule structure. The capsule houses and protects the optical probe components, creating a compact integrated unit that reduces overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule itself serves multiple functions: it protects the optical probe, acts as a black body for radiation detection, and provides structural support. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, simplifying the overall device.
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 solution enables reliable and accurate temperature detection in gas turbines, with improved resistance to environmental factors and long-term stability, offering high accuracy and resistance to interference, and allowing for precise spatial temperature distribution analysis.
Implementation Method 1
The capsule, in fact, acts as a black body and emits inside the camera infra-red radiations depending on the temperature external to the capsule
Implementation Method 2
The sensing optical probe detects the infra red radiations inside the camera
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature detecting device for a gas turbine power plant is provided with at least one optical probe configured to detect a parameter indicative of a temperature and with at least one capsule configured to define a camera inside which the optical probe is housed.