Turbine Engine Phonic Wheel Material Pairing for Accurate Speed Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor systems for gas turbine engines, which utilize phonic wheels to measure rotational velocity, lack efficiency and accuracy due to limitations in material selection and design.
Innovation Solution
The proposed turbine engine assembly incorporates a rotating assembly with a phonic wheel and an engine component, where one material is non-ferromagnetic and the other is ferromagnetic, and the phonic wheel's teeth are meshed with the engine component's teeth to induce fluctuations in a magnetic field for rotational velocity measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a phonic wheel is used to measure rotational velocity, then rotational velocity measurement is enabled, but measurement accuracy and efficiency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the phonic wheel from conventional materials to ferromagnetic material, and the engine component from ferromagnetic to non-ferromagnetic material. This parameter change enables the sensor to detect magnetic field fluctuations with higher precision, thereby improving both measurement accuracy and efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite material configuration where the phonic wheel is made of ferromagnetic material and the engine component is made of non-ferromagnetic material. This composite approach creates a contrasting magnetic field interaction that enhances the sensor's ability to detect rotational velocity accurately and efficiently
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the phonic wheel teeth are made to match the aperture width precisely, then flow disruptions are reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the phonic wheel teeth radially flush with the engine component outer surface at specific locations. This localized feature ensures that the teeth properly engage with the apertures to minimize flow disruptions, while the overall design maintains manufacturability by not requiring precision across the entire component
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 design enhances the accuracy and efficiency of rotational velocity measurement by optimizing the interaction between the ferromagnetic phonic wheel and the non-ferromagnetic engine component, reducing flow disruptions and improving lubricant collection.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor is configured to measure fluctuations in a magnetic field induced by the wheel teeth during rotation of the rotating assembly about the axis
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly is provided for a turbine engine. This turbine engine assembly includes a rotating assembly configured to rotate about an axis. The rotating assembly includes an engine component and a phonic wheel. The engine component includes a first material and a plurality of apertures arranged circumferentially about the axis. The phonic wheel includes a second material and a plurality of teeth arranged circumferentially about the axis. Each of the teeth projects axially into a respective one of the apertures. One of the first material and the second material is or otherwise includes non-ferromagnetic material. Another one of the first material and the second material is or otherwise includes ferromagnetic material.