Speed Sensor Vibration Detection via Spring Preload
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face challenges in accurately monitoring engine health and detecting vibrations due to erratic speed sensor readings caused by vibrations, which can lead to unsafe engine operation and require cumbersome and expensive monitoring equipment.
Innovation Solution
The use of speed sensors mounted with preloaded springs to detect vibrations, allowing the controller to shut off the engine or send maintenance messages, and employing redundant and alternate mounting configurations to ensure accurate readings, including one sensor with a spring preload and another fixedly mounted to compare readings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vibration monitoring equipment is installed to detect engine vibrations, then engine health monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The speed sensor is designed to perform dual functions: monitoring engine speed and detecting engine vibrations. By making the speed sensor multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate vibration monitoring equipment, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining reliable engine health monitoring capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the speed sensor and vibration detection functions into a single integrated system. The speed sensor readings are analyzed to detect both speed information and vibration characteristics, merging two monitoring functions into one component to reduce overall system complexity
2Productivity
If speed sensors are used to monitor engine speed, then speed control is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to erratic readings from vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the speed sensor readings into different frequency components through spectral analysis. By dividing the signal into frequency bands, the system can distinguish between normal speed variations and vibration-induced erratic readings, thereby maintaining accurate speed measurement while detecting vibrations
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by continuously analyzing speed sensor readings and comparing them against expected patterns. When vibration-induced erratic readings are detected through spectral analysis, the system can compensate or filter these readings to maintain accurate speed control
3Reliability
If redundant speed sensors are installed to ensure reliability, then safety is improved, but weight and space consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single speed sensor is designed to perform multiple functions including speed monitoring, vibration detection, and health monitoring. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional redundant sensors, reducing weight and space while maintaining safety through the versatility of the single sensor system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple monitoring functions into a single sensor system. By combining speed sensing, vibration detection, and health monitoring capabilities in one integrated system, the patent reduces the total number of components, thereby reducing weight and space consumption while maintaining reliability
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 method enables effective health monitoring of gas turbine engines by distinguishing between predetermined and unsafe vibration levels, allowing for timely maintenance and safe operation without the need for additional health monitoring systems, while reducing weight and space consumption.
Implementation Method 1
erratic readings may result from engine vibrations physically shifting the speed sensors
Implementation Method 2
speed sensors mounted with preloaded springs to detect vibrations
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
Systems and methods of monitoring health of rotating engine components are provided. The systems and methods may receive a measurement from a speed sensor (44), detect the measurement from the speed sensor (44) indicates a vibration of an engine, determine the vibration of the engine persisted for a predetermined duration, and signal the vibration of the engine is detected.