Jet Engine Rotor Rotation Detection via Modified Vane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accessing and mounting sensors on the rotor shaft of a jet engine to measure rotational movement is difficult and costly, especially in high-pressure compressors, due to spatial constraints and the need for significant constructive modifications.
Innovation Solution
A modified vane element with a truncated area is used, allowing sensors to be placed externally, where they detect a distinct measurement signal from the modified vane element, enabling capacitive, magnetic, or optical detection of rotational momentum without direct shaft access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are mounted directly on the rotor shaft to measure rotational movement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary toothed disk mounted on the rotor shaft that acts as a mediator between the rotor's rotation and the stationary sensor. The disk carries periodic tooth structures that interact with the sensor to generate measurement signals, eliminating the need for direct sensor mounting on the shaft while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical sensor mounting on the rotor shaft with a magnetic or optical sensing system. The sensor detects the periodic tooth structures of the disk through non-contact means (magnetic field or optical reflection), substituting mechanical contact-based measurement with field-based detection, thereby simplifying the mounting structure.
2Measurement precision
If a toothed disk is truncated to create a distinguishable signal, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity and intervention requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-modifying the toothed disk during manufacturing to include a distinguishable feature (such as a truncated tooth or asymmetric tooth structure) before the disk is installed in the engine. This advance preparation eliminates the need for post-installation modification or complex intervention procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by introducing a localized distinguishable feature (such as a truncated tooth or asymmetric marking) at a specific location on the toothed disk. This localized modification creates a unique signal pattern without requiring complex modifications to the entire disk structure, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If sensors are positioned close to the rotor shaft for accurate detection, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to spatial constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by moving the sensor from a position close to the rotor shaft (radial dimension) to a stationary position in the engine housing at a distance from the shaft. The toothed disk acts as a transmitter that carries the rotational information from the shaft to the sensor's location, effectively transferring the measurement function across spatial dimensions to make the sensor accessible and stationary.
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 arrangement simplifies sensor placement and reduces installation costs by allowing external sensing of rotational momentum, minimizing interference with the rotor's operation and reducing the need for complex mounting and cable routing.
Implementation Method 1
capacitive, magnetic, or optical detection of rotational momentum
Implementation Method 2
capacitive, magnetic, or optical detection of rotational momentum
Implementation Method 3
capacitive, magnetic, or optical detection of rotational momentum
Implementation Method 4
The modification of the vane element is formed by a truncated area situated in the end region of the vane element... The truncation of the vane element is carried out in such a way that this element is clearly distinguishable from the other vane elements in terms of length.
Data Source
AI summary
A measurement system for detecting a rotary movement of a rotor that is situated in particular in rotatable fashion in a compressor housing of a jet engine, includes the rotor having vane elements that are preferably situated equidistant from one another on its periphery, and in addition at least one sensor being provided, and at least one material measure being fashioned on the rotor that can be periodically detected by the sensor due to the rotational movement, the material measure is formed by at least one modified vane element that is truncated in the area of the vane tip, the sensor outputting an identical measurement signal in each case when the vane elements travel past, and outputting a modified measurement signal when the modified vane element travels past.