SAW Sensor Fuel Coking Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting fuel degradation and coking in gas turbine engines, particularly at elevated temperatures, are not effective in providing early and accurate warnings, leading to increased maintenance costs and potential component failures due to carbon deposit accumulation and reduced heat transfer efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) sensor with input and output transducers immersed in the fuel, a controller to generate and compare excitation and output signals, and an enunciator to indicate coking detection, allowing for early identification of fuel contamination and coking formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple temperature sensors are placed around the gas turbine engine to predict fuel degradation, then detection coverage is improved, but measurement precision and reliability of early detection deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A flowable sensor material containing sensing particles is introduced as an intermediary medium that circulates with the fuel through the engine fuel system. The sensing particles directly interact with fuel deposits and contamination, providing precise detection data without requiring multiple fixed temperature sensors throughout the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of multiple fixed temperature sensors with a fluid-based sensing system where sensing particles are carried by the fuel flow. This substitution enables direct contact with fuel deposits and provides more accurate detection of fuel degradation and coking conditions.
2Device complexity
If traditional temperature-based prediction methods are used, then system complexity is reduced, but reliability of fuel coking detection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel itself serves as the transport medium for the sensing particles, eliminating the need for separate pumping or injection systems. The fuel naturally carries the sensing particles through all fuel system components, providing reliable detection data while maintaining simple system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing particles perform multiple functions: they detect fuel deposits, measure contamination levels, and provide data on fuel flow conditions. This multi-functionality increases detection reliability without adding significant system complexity, as a single sensing mechanism addresses multiple detection needs.
3Reliability
If early detection of fuel coking is implemented, then maintenance costs and component failures are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection function is extracted from the main fuel system components and embodied in separate sensing particles that circulate independently. This allows the fuel system to maintain its original simple structure while adding early detection capability through the introduced sensing particles that can be removed and analyzed separately.
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 approach provides more accurate and timely detection of fuel coking, enabling proactive maintenance and reducing the risk of component failures and maintenance costs by identifying coking before it becomes severe, thus maintaining fuel system efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel contamination sensor having a surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor with input and output transducers immersed in the fuel
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for detection of coking in a fuel. The system including a fuel system for delivery of fuel, a fuel contamination sensor having a contamination detection sensor with input and output transducers immersed in the fuel, a controller in operable communication with the fuel contamination sensor, the controller configured to execute a method for detection of coking in fuel. The method including generating an excitation signal for the contamination detection sensor, receiving at a controller operably connected to the contamination detection sensor, a sensor output signal from the output transducer, comparing the sensor output signal with the excitation signal, diagnosing a condition of the fuel based on a the comparing, and indicating a condition of coking based on the diagnosing. The system also includes an enunciator to indicate the detection of coking in the fuel.