Reflective Surface Optical Sensor for Gas Turbine Combustor Temperature Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Detecting temperature and air/fuel ratio within the combustor sections of gas turbine engines is challenging due to the high temperatures, which hampers accurate monitoring and control of combustion processes.

Innovation Solution

A sensor system is deployed with an optical sensor coupled to a fuel nozzle stem, located outside the combustion chamber, and an optical decoder to decode reflected infrared light features, allowing a controller to determine combustion characteristics and adjust fuel injection accordingly, using reflective surfaces to direct optical features from within the chamber to the sensor without exposing it to extreme temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If an optical sensor is placed inside the combustion chamber to directly detect temperature and air/fuel ratio, then measurement precision is improved, but the sensor lifespan is reduced due to high temperature exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

A reflective surface is introduced as an intermediary between the combustion chamber and the optical sensor. The reflective surface is positioned inside the combustion chamber to reflect optical features (infrared radiation) from the combustion zone toward the optical sensor, which is located outside the chamber. This mediator enables the sensor to detect combustion characteristics indirectly without being exposed to high temperatures, thereby extending sensor lifespan while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the optical sensor is located outside the combustion chamber to avoid thermal stress, then sensor reliability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to indirect detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor reliabilityVSAvoidcombustion characteristic detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The reflective surface acts as an intermediary that redirects optical features from the combustion chamber to the external optical sensor. This arrangement allows the sensor to remain outside the high-temperature environment (improving reliability) while still receiving accurate optical signals from the combustion zone (maintaining measurement precision).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct physical contact between the sensor and the combustion chamber (mechanical placement inside) with an optical reflection system. The optical sensor detects infrared radiation reflected from the combustion zone, substituting a non-contact optical measurement approach that maintains both reliability and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If a complex sensor system with reflective surfaces and optical components is implemented, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombustion monitoring accuracyVSAvoidsensor system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical sensor system is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting temperature, air/fuel ratio, and other combustion characteristics simultaneously through analysis of reflected optical features. The reflective surface and optical sensor combination serves both protective (extending lifespan) and measurement (improving precision) functions, reducing the need for separate sensor systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 system enables accurate detection of combustion chamber temperatures and air/fuel ratios, extending sensor lifespan, reducing thermal stress, and facilitating easy installation, while improving combustion efficiency and reducing emissions by precise fuel control.

Implementation Method 1

the reflected optical features include infrared light waves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

a reflective surface... configured to reflect optical features from within the combustion chamber towards the optical sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3628926B1Sensor arrangement for measuring gas turbine combustor temperatures

Publication Date: 2024.10.30 RTX CORP

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AI summary

A sensor system for use in a gas turbine engine (20). The sensor system includes a reflective surface (152; 184; 352) configured to reflect optical features corresponding to combustion in a combustion chamber (128) that exit the combustion chamber (128) via at least one opening (150) therein. The sensor system further includes an optical sensor (340, 341) configured to receive the reflected optical features from the reflective surface (152; 184; 352).