Turbine Engine Overpressure Valve Monitoring via Pressure Dynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring the operating state of turbomachine pressure relief valves are cumbersome, requiring additional sensors and electrical connections, leading to an unfavorable mass/cost/installation balance and prone to false detections due to the rarity of valve activation and indirect sensor measurements.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses existing sensors to determine the operating state of a turbomachine pressure relief valve by analyzing the temporal evolution of fluid pressure, temperature, and derivatives, eliminating the need for additional sensors and reducing false detections by correlating engine speed and temperature data to detect valve openings and closures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If acoustic monitoring with additional temperature and ultrasonic sensors is used, then leak detection capability is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure relief valve monitors its own operating state by analyzing pressure variations from existing sensors. The method uses the valve's inherent function of opening/closing to generate detectable pressure signals, eliminating the need for separate monitoring sensors. The system serves itself by using already-present measurement devices to detect its own operational anomalies.
Solution Approach 2:
Existing pressure and temperature sensors in the fluid circuit are made multi-functional. They continue their original purposes while also serving to detect pressure relief valve operating state. The same sensors that monitor general circuit conditions now also detect valve openings and closures through temporal pressure evolution analysis, reducing the need for dedicated monitoring equipment.
2Measurement precision
If a complete physical model with multiple sensors is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but mass and installation requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing sensors to monitor the valve's own behavior. By analyzing temporal pressure evolution from the valve's opening/closing actions, the system achieves accurate detection without adding measurement equipment. The valve essentially measures itself through its impact on system pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the monitoring function from a separate physical model approach and integrates it into the existing control system using available sensors. Instead of adding a complete physical model with multiple sensors, the method extracts only the necessary pressure temporal evolution analysis from the existing sensor data, eliminating unnecessary hardware.
3Device complexity
If indirect sensor measurements are used, then device complexity is reduced, but false detections increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system analyzes the dynamic temporal evolution of pressure rather than static pressure values. By examining how pressure changes over time during valve opening/closing events, the system captures the dynamic signature of valve operation. This dynamic approach distinguishes true valve events from other pressure fluctuations in the circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The method uses feedback from existing pressure and temperature sensors to verify valve operating state. The system continuously monitors pressure temporal evolution and compares it against expected patterns for valve openings and closures. This feedback mechanism confirms true valve events while filtering out false detections from other circuit variations.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for monitoring the operating state of an overpressure valve of a turbine engine, the turbine engine comprising a fluid circuit, at least one pressure sensor for the fluid in the fluid circuit, a temperature sensor for the fluid in the fluid circuit, said overpressure valve being configured to limit the maximum fluid pressures in the fluid circuit, and the method comprising the following steps: —(E2) determining an opening or closing indicator of the overpressure valve on the basis of the change in the fluid pressure over time; —(E3) determining an operating state of the valve as a function of a fluid threshold temperature and of the determined opening or closing indicator of the overpressure valve.