Optical Tip Clearance Measurement for Turbine Blade Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mechanical systems like gas turbine engines, precise determination of component positioning is challenging, especially in tight clearances where efficiency is affected, and wear occurs due to close tolerances, leading to reduced service life and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method using an optical arrangement with optical fibers and a controller to transmit and receive electromagnetic waves, determining object location by analyzing signal parameters such as amplitude or frequency, allowing for accurate measurement of tip clearance and object edge positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the tip clearance decreases to improve efficiency, then gas spillage is reduced and efficiency increases, but the turbine blade may contact the engine casing causing wear and reducing service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based clearance measurement with an optical measurement system using electromagnetic waves. The optical arrangement transmits electromagnetic waves through the tip clearance gap to detect the position of the turbine blade tip relative to the engine casing, enabling precise non-contact measurement of the clearance dimension. This allows optimization of clearance for efficiency while preventing contact that would reduce service life.
2Measurement precision
If traditional mechanical measurement methods are used for component positioning, then the system structure is simple, but measurement accuracy is insufficient for tight clearances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical measurement tools with an optical measurement system that transmits electromagnetic waves through the component clearance. The optical arrangement includes a transmitter and receiver that detect changes in electromagnetic wave transmission as components move, providing high-precision measurement of tight clearances without the mechanical contact and measurement errors associated with traditional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic waves as an intermediary medium to transfer measurement information through the tip clearance gap. The electromagnetic waves pass through the gap between the turbine blade tip and engine casing, and changes in wave transmission characteristics indicate the clearance dimension, enabling accurate measurement without direct mechanical contact.
3Measurement precision
If optical fibers are positioned close together to measure tight clearances, then measurement sensitivity increases, but the device becomes more complex and difficult to install
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the optical arrangement to perform multiple functions: the same optical fibers and electromagnetic wave transmission system are used both to measure tip clearance and to detect component position. The optical arrangement can measure clearances between different components (turbine blade to casing, seal fin to liner) using the same basic principle, reducing overall system complexity despite the precision requirements.
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
Enables precise determination of object locations, increasing measurement accuracy, and allowing for remote operation, thus improving efficiency and reducing wear-related costs by accurately assessing component clearances and detecting damage in inaccessible areas.
Implementation Method 1
control the optical arrangement to transmit an electromagnetic wave; receive a signal from the optical arrangement
Implementation Method 2
a first optical fibre comprising a first end for transmitting an electromagnetic wave; a second optical fibre including a second end for receiving the electromagnetic wave
Implementation Method 3
the parameter of the signal may be the amplitude of the signal, and the at least one criterion may be satisfied when the amplitude of the signal is below a predetermined amplitude
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for determining location of at least a part of a first object, the apparatus comprising: a controller configured to: control an actuator to move an optical arrangement relative to the first object; control the optical arrangement to transmit an electromagnetic wave; receive a signal from the optical arrangement; and determine a location of an edge of the first object by determining whether a change in a parameter of the signal satisfies at least one criterion.