Sensor Mounting Attachment With Resilient Torque Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for securing sensors in gas turbines' combustion chambers often result in loosening due to low mounting torque, making them difficult to access and replace, and require cumbersome spot welding for stability.
Innovation Solution
A mountable attachment with a hollow elongated mounting member, featuring a shoulder and flange member, and primary and secondary resilient members, which apply axial forces to prevent loosening and provide mounting torque, eliminating the need for spot welding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a threaded plug is used to mount the sensor, then the sensor can be securely mounted with mounting torque, but the sensor loosens over time due to insufficient mounting torque
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into distinct functional segments: the threaded plug for securement, the resilient member for torque maintenance, and the sensor adaptor for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall system reliability and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member introduces dynamic characteristics to the mounting system, allowing it to automatically compensate for torque loss over time. As the threaded plug settles or experiences vibration, the resilient member dynamically adjusts to maintain consistent mounting torque, ensuring long-term sensor stability without permanent fixation.
2Reliability
If spot welding is applied to the threaded plug to prevent loosening, then the sensor mounting torque is maintained, but the sensor becomes difficult to access and replace
Solution Approach 1:
The permanent mechanical connection of spot welding is replaced with a reversible mechanical system comprising a threaded plug and resilient member. This substitution maintains the reliability of torque maintenance while preserving the ability to disassemble and replace the sensor, transforming an irreversible joint into a controllable, reusable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state and properties of the connection by introducing a resilient member that can elastically deform. This allows the mounting torque parameter to be maintained within an optimal range through elastic recovery, rather than being permanently fixed by welding, enabling both stability and replaceability.
3Ease of operation
If conventional threaded mounting is used without additional securing, then the sensor is easily accessible and replaceable, but the sensor loosens due to small mounting torque
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member provides self-service functionality by automatically compensating for torque loss without external intervention. As the mounting conditions change due to vibration or settling, the resilient member self-adjusts to maintain proper torque, eliminating the need for periodic manual tightening while preserving easy accessibility for intentional replacement.
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
The solution securely mounts sensors without loosening, allows easy access and replacement, and is economical and adaptable, eliminating the need for spot welding while maintaining the required mounting torque.
Implementation Method 1
at least one primary resilient member disposed within the mounting member between the shoulder member and the flange member... wherein the at least one primary resilient member is capable of: applying an axially outward force across at least the mounting member to prevent thereto from loosening from the counterpart, and providing a mounting torque
Data Source
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AI summary
A mountable attachment (100) for positioning a sensor (200) in an environment (300), like a combustion chamber of a gas turbine is disclosed. The mountable attachment (100) includes a mounting member (110) having a hollow elongated configuration for incorporating the sensor (200) therewithin. The attachment (100) further includes at least one primary resilient member (130) disposed within the mounting member (110) in a coordinating manner with the sensor (200) for applying an axially outward force on the mounting member (110) to prevent thereto from loosening from a counterpart (310), and providing a mounting torque for mounting the sensor (200) at a target position within the environment (300). The attachment (100) may also include additional resilient member, such as a secondary resilient member (150), which may in combination with the primary resilient members (130) attain a resulting mounting force to prevent the mounting member (110) from loosening from the counterpart (310).