Turbine Exhaust Temperature Rake Clocking for Non-Uniform Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face challenges in improving fuel consumption and operational efficiency due to non-uniform flow fields in the combustor and turbine regions, which complicate temperature measurement and lead to inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A clocking arrangement is implemented in the gas turbine engine, aligning temperature measurement rakes with burner assemblies to achieve a minimum of five clocking positions, allowing for improved temperature distribution understanding and measurement across the turbine assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If temperature measurement rakes are positioned in the turbine assembly, then temperature measurement capability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to non-uniform flow fields and thermal influence from outlet guide vanes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the circumferential array into multiple discrete measurement positions (first, second, third, and fourth circumferential arrays at different axial locations). This segmentation allows temperature measurements to be taken at multiple distinct positions around the circumference, enabling the system to distinguish between actual temperature distribution patterns and measurement artifacts caused by outlet guide vanes, thereby improving measurement reliability while maintaining comprehensive temperature monitoring capability.
2Productivity
If outlet guide vanes are used to direct exhaust flow, then exhaust assembly performance is improved, but temperature measurement accuracy deteriorates due to thermal influence on rakes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces multiple intermediate measurement positions between the outlet guide vanes and the exhaust assembly. By positioning temperature measurement rakes at the first, second, and third circumferential arrays at different axial locations upstream of the exhaust assembly, the system creates intermediary measurement points that capture temperature data before the thermal influence of the outlet guide vanes can contaminate the measurements, allowing the exhaust flow to be directed efficiently while maintaining measurement accuracy.
3Loss of information
If multiple circumferential arrays are implemented for comprehensive measurement, then temperature distribution understanding is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds the axial dimension to the circumferential measurement arrangement by positioning temperature measurement rakes at multiple axial locations (first, second, third, and fourth circumferential arrays at different axial distances from the combustor). This dimensional expansion allows the system to capture three-dimensional temperature distribution patterns, providing comprehensive temperature data while organizing the complexity through a systematic multi-array structure that can be managed through coordinated positioning and data processing.
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 arrangement enhances the understanding of temperature distribution, optimizing engine performance and efficiency by providing direct turbine exhaust gas temperature measurements without influence from outlet guide vanes.
Implementation Method 1
each temperature measurement rake comprising a plurality of temperature measurement sensors
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a gas turbine engine, the gas turbine engine comprising a compressor assembly, a combustor assembly having a first circumferential array of burner assemblies, a turbine assembly, and an exhaust assembly. The turbine assembly comprising a second circumferential array of high-pressure nozzle guide vanes, a high-pressure turbine assembly, a third circumferential array of outlet guide vanes, and a fourth circumferential array of temperature measurement rakes. Each temperature measurement rake comprises a plurality of temperature measurement sensors. A clocking position is defined by a relative circumferential orientation of the first circumferential array with the fourth circumferential array. A quantity of burner assemblies are positioned in the first circumferential array, and a quantity of temperature measurement rakes are positioned in the fourth circumferential array, such that there is a minimum quantity of five clocking positions between the fourth circumferential array, and the first circumferential array.