Probe Seating Locking Device for Turbomachinery Stress Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Non-intrusive Stress Measurement System (NSMS) probe holders for turbomachinery and gas turbine engines face issues with probe misalignment and improper seating during assembly, which can compromise the accuracy of stress measurements and potentially damage the hypo tube's coolant flow pathway.
Innovation Solution
A probe seating and locking device comprising a main body with a relief cut and a concentrically disposed sleeve, where the sleeve is coupled to the probe by brazing or welding, and a metallic tack strap is used to secure the probe at the correct standoff distance, preventing misalignment and ensuring proper seating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the probe is left unsecured during assembly, then the welding operation can proceed, but the probe may back away from the seating step causing improper standoff distance
Solution Approach 1:
The probe is pre-secured to the probe holder using a retaining structure (sleeve and strap assembly) before the welding operation begins. This preliminary securing action prevents the probe from moving during welding, ensuring the standoff distance remains precise throughout the manufacturing process.
2Strength
If spot welding is applied directly to the thin wall hypo tube, then the strap can be fixed, but the hypo tube's ability to contain coolant flow is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
A sleeve made of thicker material is introduced as an intermediary component between the strap and the thin wall hypo tube. The strap is welded to this sleeve instead of directly to the hypo tube, allowing the weld joint to achieve sufficient strength without compromising the integrity and coolant flow containment capability of the thin wall hypo tube.
3Reliability
If welding current is lowered to insure hypo tube integrity, then the hypo tube is protected, but weld penetration is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve serves as a mediator that absorbs the welding heat and mechanical stress, allowing higher welding currents to be used without damaging the thin wall hypo tube. This enables adequate weld penetration and joint strength while the sleeve protects the hypo tube from excessive thermal and mechanical loads.
4Device complexity
If the probe is held unsecured, then assembly is simpler, but the probe may misalign during welding causing measurement inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The probe is preliminarily positioned and secured in the correct alignment using the retaining structure before welding begins. This ensures that the probe maintains its precise alignment throughout the welding operation, preventing misalignment that would compromise stress measurement accuracy, while the modular design keeps the overall assembly process manageable.
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 solution effectively maintains the probe at the correct standoff distance, preventing misalignment and protecting the hypo tube from welding damage, thereby enhancing the reliability of stress measurements and maintaining coolant flow integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the sleeve is coupled to the probe by at least one of brazing or welding
Implementation Method 2
the sleeve is coupled to the probe by at least one of brazing or welding
Data Source
AI summary
In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a probe seating and locking device comprising a main body and a sleeve disposed at least partially concentrically about a probe. In various embodiments, the main body comprises a relief cut, a probe channel in communication with the relief cut, and a probe housing extending from the main body, wherein the probe housing has a probe passage in communication with the probe channel. In various embodiments, the probe passage comprises a first end, a second end, and a sensing aperture, wherein the probe housing is coupled to the main body at the first end. In various embodiments, the probe is disposed in the probe channel and is in contact with the seating step.