Strain Sensor Reference Feature Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring deformation in turbomachine components, such as turbine blades, are prone to failure due to damage or loss of locator elements in strain sensors, requiring multiple elements for deformation analysis, which can render them unusable.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a strain sensor with a plurality of reference features configured on the component's surface, using image capture and processing to analyze changes in these features over time, allowing for deformation monitoring with single reference features and reducing reliance on multiple elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple elements (locator element and analysis elements) are used in strain sensors for deformation monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates because damage to any element renders the sensor unusable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the locator element from the strain sensor system. By using a separate, independent reference feature on the component rather than integrating it into the sensor, the system achieves deformation monitoring without requiring multiple sensor elements, thus improving reliability while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary reference feature that is separately created on the component surface (independent of the strain sensor) to serve as the reference point. This mediator allows the strain sensor to function with a single analysis element while still enabling accurate deformation measurement through comparison with the external reference feature
2Measurement precision
If locator elements are integrated into strain sensors for reference purposes, then measurement capability is improved, but reliability worsens due to potential damage or loss during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the reference functionality from the sensing functionality. The reference feature is created separately on the component (through machining, marking, or other methods) while the strain sensor contains only the analysis element. This segmentation ensures that the reference feature cannot be damaged or lost in the same way sensor elements could, improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The locator element function is extracted from the strain sensor and implemented as a separate reference feature on the component. This extraction eliminates the vulnerability of having integrated locator elements that could be damaged or lost, while preserving the measurement capability through the separate reference feature
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods (200) for monitoring components (10) are provided. A component (10) has an exterior surface (11). A method (200) includes locating a centroid (222, 322', 322") of a reference feature (30, 30', 30") configured on the component (10), and measuring a first value (232) of a characteristic of the reference feature (30, 30', 30") relative to the centroid (222, 322', 322") at a first time. The method (200) further includes measuring a second value (252) of the characteristic relative to the centroid (222, 322', 322") at a second time after the first time, and comparing the first value (232) and the second value (252).