Probe Purge Adapter Channels for Turbine Sensor Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capacitive blade tip clearance sensors in gas turbines are susceptible to metallic contaminant fouling and heat-related failures, leading to short-circuits and installation challenges due to weld site accessibility and inability to heat-treat welds.
Innovation Solution
An adapter with a cup and mounting flange is used to indirectly mount the sensor probe, allowing for improved access and weld site selection, and channels to direct cooler gas for purging contaminants and cooling, reducing the risk of short-circuits and heat-induced failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If capacitive sensors are installed directly in the turbine, then accurate real-time blade tip clearance data can be obtained, but the sensors are susceptible to fouling by metallic contaminants and heat-related failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adapter as an intermediary component between the capacitive sensor and the turbine environment. The adapter includes a cup that houses the sensor and channels that direct cooler gas flow across the sensor face, creating a protective barrier that reduces contaminant exposure and thermal stress while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes gas flow (pneumatics) by incorporating channels in the adapter that direct cooler gas across the sensor face. This gas flow serves to cool the sensor and purge metallic contaminants away from the sensing surface, reducing fouling and heat-related failures while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Productivity
If capacitive sensors are installed directly in the turbine, then real-time data can be obtained, but installation challenges arise due to difficult-to-access weld sites and inability to heat treat welds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensor assembly into separate components: the sensor element, the cup housing, and the mounting flange. This segmentation allows the sensor to be assembled and tested separately, then installed as a complete unit through the adapter, simplifying the installation process and improving access to weld sites without compromising real-time data acquisition capability.
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
The adapter effectively prevents contaminant buildup and heat damage, ensuring reliable operation of capacitive sensors by providing controlled cooling and improved weldability, thus maintaining sensor performance and durability.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more channels are configured to direct a gas from an exterior of the gas turbine across the face of the sensor probe
Implementation Method 2
the one or more channels are configured to direct gas from the cool side across the face of the sensor probe
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter includes a cup having an inner portion proportioned to retain a sensor probe such that a face of the sensor probe is exposed to an interior of a gas turbine, where the inner portion includes a sidewall and a lip. The cup also includes one or more channels extending along the sidewall and across the lip. The adapter includes a mounting flange, where the one or more channels are configured to direct a gas from an exterior of the gas turbine across the face of the sensor probe.