Shielded Electromagnetic Sensor Network for Gas Turbine Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
In gas turbine engines, the challenge of accessing and monitoring components in difficult-to-reach locations due to moving parts and internal environments leads to wiring constraints, such as bulky, expensive, and vulnerable cable systems, which existing electromagnetic sensor technologies struggle to address effectively, especially with potential interference from internal or external sources.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring a network of sensing/control/identification devices that communicate through electromagnetic signals, with shielding to contain signals proximate to sub-system components, and a remote processing unit, utilizing metal waveguides or Faraday shields to prevent external interference, and incorporating RFID tags powered by an EM transmitting source for reliable communication and data storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional wired sensor systems are used to monitor components in difficult-to-reach locations, then reliable communication can be achieved, but the system becomes bulky, expensive, and vulnerable to interconnect failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical wired connections with electromagnetic field-based wireless communication. Sensors communicate with external systems through electromagnetic signals that penetrate machine components, eliminating the need for physical cable routing through difficult-to-reach locations and moving parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic fields as an intermediary medium to transmit sensor data from hard-to-access locations. The electromagnetic signals act as a mediator that can penetrate through machine components and transmit information without requiring direct physical contact or cable connections.
2Ease of operation
If cable systems are used to connect sensors in internal environments, then data transmission is possible, but the cables become bulky and vulnerable to failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical cable connections with electromagnetic field transmission. This eliminates the vulnerability of physical interconnects to failure from vibration, movement, and environmental factors while simplifying sensor installation in internal machine environments.
3Device complexity
If electromagnetic sensor technologies are applied to address wiring constraints, then cable volume and weight are reduced, but communication reliability is compromised due to potential interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful electromagnetic interference into a beneficial communication medium. By using electromagnetic fields at specific frequencies and modulation schemes, the system transforms the noisy environment into a viable communication channel, turning the interference problem into a solution for wireless data transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies localized electromagnetic field transmission tailored to specific sensor locations and machine components. Each sensor communicates through optimized electromagnetic parameters suited to its local environment, allowing reliable communication despite varying interference conditions at different positions within the machine.
4Reliability
If shielding is added to prevent electromagnetic interference, then communication reliability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical shielding structures with software-based electromagnetic signal processing techniques. Through frequency selection, modulation schemes, and signal filtering algorithms, the system maintains signal integrity without requiring additional physical shielding components.
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 reduces cable and interconnecting system costs and weight, enhances reliability, and allows for accurate monitoring and control of parameters like pressure, temperature, and vibration, while preventing unauthorized access and interference, enabling efficient data tracking and component health monitoring within harsh environments.
Implementation Method 1
shielding surrounding at least one of the sensing/control/identification devices to contain the electromagnetic signals proximate to the at least one sub-system component
Implementation Method 2
the shielding may further include a metal waveguide, wherein the thickness of the metal of the waveguide is greater than a skin depth of the metal of the waveguide
Implementation Method 3
the shielding may be a Faraday shield
Data Source
AI summary
A system of a machine is provided. The system having: a network of a plurality of sensing/control/identification devices distributed throughout the machine, at least one of the plurality of sensing/control/identification devices associated with at least one sub-system component of the machine and operable to communicate through a plurality of electromagnetic signals; shielding surrounding at least one of the sensing/control/identification devices to contain the electromagnetic signals proximate to the at least one sub-system component; and a remote processing unit operable to communicate with the network of the sensing/control/identification devices through the electromagnetic signals, wherein the at least one of the plurality of sensing/control/identification devices has internal memory independent of the remote processing unit, the internal memory having historical data corresponding to the least one sub-system component.