Tip Clearance Probe Anti-Rotation Feature

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tip clearance probes in turbine engines face issues due to sensor component rotation after insulator failure, which decreases clearance and exacerbates damage, as existing designs lack effective anti-rotation features to prevent this rotation.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating anti-rotation pins and insulators within the tip clearance probe housing to prevent the sensor component from rotating, with features like anti-rotation pins aligned with the axis and insulators interfacing with the sensor component, and a housing design that maintains the sensor component under compressive force and catches it when it drops.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the sensor component is retained within the housing using only insulators, then the device structure remains simple, but the sensor component may rotate after insulator failure causing harmful effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor component retentionVSAvoidhousing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-rotation feature is segmented into discrete pins that can be independently positioned within the housing, allowing rotation prevention without requiring a completely redesigned housing structure. This segmentation enables targeted reinforcement of the retention mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The anti-rotation pins are pre-installed in the housing before sensor component assembly, establishing rotation prevention capability in advance. This preliminary action ensures that even if insulators fail, the sensor component cannot rotate, thereby preventing the harmful effect of reduced clearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the sensor component is allowed to drop a set distance, then the retention feature can catch it, but rotation may occur during the drop causing clearance reduction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor component retention after failureVSAvoidrotational damage to rotor tips

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-rotation pins provide preliminary anti-rotation action that counteracts the rotational tendency of the sensor component during drop. By establishing rotation prevention before failure occurs, the system eliminates the harmful effect of rotational contact with rotor tips even when the insulator fails and the sensor component drops.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If anti-rotation pins and insulators are added to prevent rotation, then rotation is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor component rotationVSAvoidhousing components

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-rotation pins are strategically positioned at specific locations within the housing where they most effectively prevent rotation with minimal added complexity. This local placement optimizes the rotation prevention function while avoiding unnecessary complexity throughout the entire housing structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10077992B2Tip clearance probe including anti-rotation feature

Publication Date: 2018.09.18 RTX CORP

AI summary

A tip clearance probe includes at least one anti-rotation feature within the probe housing that prevents a sensor component from rotating when the tip clearance probe fails due to extraordinary wear and tear.