Overlapping Sensor Arrangement for Flow Duct Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensor arrangements for monitoring fluid characteristics in flow ducts, such as those in turbine engines, require additional or higher fidelity sensors to achieve greater granularity, which increases weight and cost without providing sufficient detail.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring and control system with at least two averaging sensors arranged in an overlapping configuration within the flow passage, allowing for enhanced sensing capabilities without the need for additional sensors, thereby improving the detection of fluid characteristics and operational component performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional or higher fidelity sensors are added to achieve greater granularity in fluid characteristic sensing, then measurement precision is improved, but weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensing function into multiple standard sensors arranged in an overlapped configuration rather than using a single high-fidelity sensor. Each sensor covers a portion of the flow passage, and their overlapping arrangement provides comprehensive coverage with standard sensors, achieving high measurement precision without the weight penalty of a single sophisticated sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple standard sensors into an integrated sensing system with overlapped coverage areas. By merging the outputs of multiple simple sensors arranged strategically, the system achieves the measurement capability of a complex sensor while using only standard, lightweight components.
2Measurement precision
If additional or higher fidelity sensors are added to achieve greater granularity in fluid characteristic sensing, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensing requirement into multiple standard sensor units that can be manufactured and procured separately. This approach uses off-the-shelf standard sensors rather than custom high-fidelity sensors, significantly reducing per-unit cost while achieving the same overall measurement precision through the overlapped arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple copies of standard, low-cost sensors arranged in an overlapped configuration rather than a single expensive high-fidelity sensor. The redundancy and overlap provide comprehensive measurement coverage at a fraction of the cost of a single sophisticated sensor.
3Device complexity
If a single annular sensor or segmented sensor arrangement is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds the dimension of spatial overlap to the sensor arrangement. Instead of simply placing sensors end-to-end or at discrete points, the sensors are arranged with their sensing regions overlapping in the circumferential direction, creating a multi-dimensional coverage pattern that enhances measurement precision while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
Data Source
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AI summary
A monitoring and control system (100) for a flow duct (110) and a method (200) for determining a component status of an operational component (130) disposed within a flow passage (112) of the flow duct (110) utilizing the system (100) are provided. In one exemplary aspect, the system (100) includes at least two sensors (121, 122) that are disposed within the flow passage (112) and configured to sense a characteristic of a fluid flowing therethrough. The sensors (121, 122) may be averaging sensors. Each sensor (121, 122) extends circumferentially about an axial centerline (AC) defined by the flow duct (110). The sensors (121, 122) are arranged in an overlapped arrangement. Particularly, the sensors (121, 122) extend circumferentially about the axial centerline (AAC) such that the sensors (121, 122) physically overlap one another circumferentially. Additionally, the sensors (121, 122) may be disposed within the same or substantially the same plane axially. Signals generated by the sensors (121, 122) may be utilized to monitor and control the fluid and various operational components (130) disposed within the flow passage (112).