Pericritical Fluid Phase Control via Acoustic Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current engine technologies face challenges in effectively monitoring and controlling the phase properties of pericritical fluids, such as supercritical and near-supercritical fluids, which are crucial for thermal management and fuel systems, due to variations in phase states and properties impacting engine operations.

Innovation Solution

A pericritical fluid system equipped with sensors to detect phase properties and a control system that adjusts temperature, pressure, and flow rate of the fluid to maintain desired phase states, utilizing phase detection sensors like acoustic and optical sensors to monitor and control the fluid's phase within thermal management and fuel systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If pericritical fluids are used for thermal management and fuel systems, then engine efficiency and cooling performance are improved, but phase state variations and property changes complicate monitoring and control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine efficiencyVSAvoidphase property monitoring

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring phase properties (temperature, pressure, density) of the pericritical fluid and adjusting system parameters accordingly. Sensors detect phase state changes and the control system responds by modifying pump operations, valve positions, or compressor settings to maintain optimal phase conditions for engine efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with sensor-based detection systems. Instead of using traditional mechanical gauges or complex instrumentation, the system employs temperature sensors, pressure transducers, and density sensors to non-intrusively monitor phase properties, simplifying the monitoring architecture while improving measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Temperature

If pericritical fluids are used for thermal management, then cooling performance is improved, but phase change variations impact system reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing target phase state parameters and control thresholds before operation begins. The control system is pre-programmed with optimal temperature, pressure, and density ranges for the pericritical fluid, allowing proactive adjustment to prevent phase changes that would compromise reliability, rather than reacting after problems occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors actual phase properties and compares them against target values, using feedback control to maintain stable operating conditions. When phase drift is detected, the system automatically adjusts operational parameters to keep the fluid within reliable phase boundaries, preventing unexpected phase changes during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Use of energy by moving object

If pericritical fluids are used for fuel systems, then fuel efficiency is improved, but phase property variations complicate control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control by allowing the system to adapt to changing phase conditions in real-time. The control parameters (temperature setpoints, pressure limits, flow rates) are dynamically adjusted based on actual sensor readings, enabling the system to maintain optimal fuel efficiency despite variations in ambient conditions or fuel composition that would otherwise make control difficult.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This solution enables precise monitoring and control of pericritical fluid phase states, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of engine operations by maintaining optimal fluid properties, thereby improving thermal management and fuel utilization.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing phase detection sensors like acoustic and optical sensors to monitor and control the fluid's phase

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic wave propagation: Sound

Implementation Method 2

utilizing phase detection sensors like acoustic and optical sensors to monitor and control the fluid's phase

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection: Light

Implementation Method 3

variations corresponding to a phase change in the pericritical fluid and/or variations that may occur within a respective phase state of the pericritical fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS11788474B2Pericritical fluid systems for turbine engines

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

A pericritical fluid system for a thermal management system associated with a turbine engine may include one or more sensors configured to generate sensor outputs corresponding to one or more phase properties of a pericritical fluid flowing through a cooling circuit of the thermal management system, and a controller configured to generate control commands configured to control one or more controllable components of the thermal management system based at least in part on the sensor outputs. The one or more sensors may include one or more phase detection sensors, such as an acoustic sensor.