Gas Turbine Sensor Airflow Turning Angle Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure and temperature probes for gas turbine engines face challenges in optimizing airflow to temperature sensors, which affects response time and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a temperature airflow hole with a central axis offset from the sensor central axis, and an end portion surface with a sloping configuration, both of which reduce the turning angle of airflow into the temperature sensor chamber to less than 90 degrees.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the temperature airflow hole is positioned directly above the temperature sensor, then the airflow path is simple, but the turning angle of airflow is large (greater than 90 degrees) which reduces sensor response time
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow hole is deliberately positioned asymmetrically relative to the temperature sensor, with its central axis offset from the sensor central axis in the streamwise direction. This asymmetric positioning creates an airflow path that reduces the turning angle to less than 90 degrees, thereby improving sensor response time while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an offset in the streamwise dimension (longitudinal direction) between the airflow hole and temperature sensor. By positioning the airflow hole upstream of the sensor in the streamwise direction, the airflow path is optimized to reduce the turning angle, effectively using spatial dimensionality to improve performance.
2Productivity
If the end portion surface is made perpendicular to the airflow, then the structure is simple, but airflow disturbances increase and aerodynamic performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The end portion surface is designed with a curved configuration rather than a flat perpendicular surface. This curved geometry allows for smoother airflow transition, reducing turbulence and disturbances while maintaining aerodynamic efficiency. The curvature is designed to be compatible with standard manufacturing processes.
3Loss of time
If the airflow hole central axis is offset from the sensor central axis, then the turning angle of airflow is reduced to less than 90 degrees, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention specifies that the airflow hole central axis should be offset from the sensor central axis by between 0.5 and 1.0 times the diameter of the temperature airflow hole. This parameter range provides a practical balance: sufficient offset to achieve the desired <90 degree turning angle while remaining within manufacturable precision tolerances. The offset distance is expressed as a multiple of the hole diameter, making it scalable and easier to manufacture.
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 configuration improves airflow into the temperature sensor chamber, enhancing the response time and accuracy of the temperature sensor without compromising the aerodynamic performance of the probe.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature airflow hole at the distal end of the airfoil portion through the end portion surface and is configured to admit an airflow into the temperature sensor chamber around the temperature sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
A pressure and temperature probe of a gas turbine engine (20) includes a base portion (38) and an airfoil portion (40) extending from the base portion to an end portion located at a distal end of the probe. The airfoil portion includes a leading edge located at an upstream end of the probe relative to a direction of airflow across the probe. A temperature sensor (54) is located in a temperature sensor chamber located in the airfoil portion, and a temperature airflow hole (58) in the end portion is configured to admit an airflow into the temperature sensor chamber around the temperature sensor. The temperature airflow hole is configured and positioned such that the airflow admitted via the temperature airflow hole has a turning angle of less than 90 degrees into the temperature sensor chamber.