Sensor Housing Vibration Damping for Gas Turbine Pressure Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combustion monitoring systems in gas turbine engines face challenges in directly measuring dynamic pressure within the high-temperature, high-pressure combustion chamber due to sensor component limitations, often requiring remote placement and transfer tubes, which can lead to erroneous measurements from condensation and resonance issues.
Innovation Solution
A sensor housing with an elongated body, designed to match the vibration characteristics of the gas turbine engine, allows for direct attachment of a pressure sensor near the combustion chamber, eliminating the need for a semi-infinite coil and transfer tube, by optimizing the axial dimension and natural frequencies to minimize vibrations and ensure accurate pressure measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the acoustic sensor is located remotely from the combustion chamber to avoid damage, then the sensor reliability is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to transfer tube resonance and condensation issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specially designed transfer tube as an intermediary component that connects the combustion chamber to the sensor. This transfer tube incorporates specific geometric features (such as expanded sections or resonance damping structures) that eliminate resonance effects and prevent condensation accumulation, thereby allowing accurate pressure transmission while protecting the sensor from direct exposure to harsh combustion conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a controlled acoustic environment within the transfer tube that accurately replicates the pressure wave characteristics from the combustion chamber without introducing distortion. By designing the transfer tube to act as an acoustic waveguide with specific impedance matching features, the system copies the true combustion chamber pressure signals to the sensor location while filtering out harmful effects
2Measurement precision
If the sensor is placed directly in the combustion chamber for direct measurement, then the measurement precision is improved, but the sensor reliability deteriorates due to high temperature and pressure damage
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer tube serves as a protective intermediary that transmits pressure information from the combustion chamber to the sensor without exposing the sensor directly to high temperature and pressure environments. The tube acts as a barrier that allows acoustic wave transmission while blocking thermal and mechanical damage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical contact between the sensor and combustion chamber with an acoustic wave transmission system through the transfer tube. This substitution allows pressure measurement without physical exposure to harsh conditions, using acoustic pressure wave propagation instead of direct sensor placement
3Stability of the object's composition
If a semi-infinite coil is used to prevent resonance, then the measurement stability is improved, but the device complexity increases and erroneous measurements occur due to water condensation and wash
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the problematic semi-infinite coil component from the system. Instead of using a coil that requires water filling and is susceptible to condensation issues, the design employs a simplified transfer tube structure with integrated resonance damping features that achieve measurement stability without the complex coil assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the transfer tube (such as length, diameter, wall thickness, or internal geometry) to inherently dampen resonance effects. By optimizing these geometric parameters, the system achieves measurement stability without requiring additional components like semi-infinite coils, thereby reducing overall system complexity
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 solution enables accurate, direct measurement of pressure and acoustic waves within the combustion chamber, reducing the risk of erroneous readings and enhancing the reliability of combustion monitoring systems by minimizing vibrations and avoiding damage from engine operations.
Implementation Method 1
the elongated body has an axial dimension determined according to a vibration characteristic of the gas turbine engine system during operation
Implementation Method 2
In order to prevent resonance from interfering with measurements
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor housing is provided. The sensor housing includes an elongated body having an open end and a closed end. An opening is disposed axially within the elongated body through the open end and is configured to receive a sensor secured therein. A support section is connected to the closed end of the elongated body and coupled to a receiving port disposed on the gas turbine engine system. The elongated body has an axial dimension determined according to a vibration characteristic of the gas turbine engine system during operation.