Torque Probe Cooling via Sleeve Flow Passage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engine torque probes installed in hot sections face temperature challenges that affect their electronic components, requiring effective cooling solutions to maintain operational reliability and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system is implemented where a sleeve encloses the torque probe, creating a flow passage for a cooling fluid to circulate along its outer surface, sourced from the bearing cavity and discharged via a vent, providing active thermal protection by using existing fluid flow paths within the engine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the torque probe is installed in the hot section of the engine to measure torque, then the torque measurement function is achieved, but the electronic components of the torque probe are exposed to elevated temperatures that can affect their performance and reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust case is segmented into a hot section and a cool section, with the torque probe installed in the cool section. This spatial segmentation allows the torque measurement function to be maintained while the electronic components are protected from high temperatures by locating them in a thermally favorable zone.
Solution Approach 2:
A shaft extension acts as an intermediary element, transmitting torque from the hot section (turbine shaft) to the cool section (exhaust case) where the torque probe is located. This intermediary allows the measurement function to be performed in a cool environment while still accessing torque information from the hot section.
2Measurement precision
If the torque probe is positioned adjacent to the exhaust duct to access torque data, then the measurement capability is maintained, but the thermal environment becomes more severe
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the torque probe directly in the hot section adjacent to the exhaust duct, the configuration is inverted by positioning the torque probe in the cool section and using a shaft extension to transmit torque data. This inversion allows the measurement capability to be maintained while avoiding the harmful thermal environment.
3Temperature
If a cooling system is implemented for the torque probe, then the temperature of the torque probe is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system utilizes the engine's own exhaust airflow to cool the torque probe. The exhaust case design allows exhaust gases to flow through a cooling passage that surrounds the torque probe, providing self-service cooling without requiring external cooling systems or additional power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling function is merged with the exhaust flow path of the engine. The exhaust case is designed to combine the torque measurement function with the exhaust gas flow, using the existing exhaust气流 to provide cooling to the torque probe, thereby avoiding the need for a separate cooling system.
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 effectively cools the torque probe, allowing it to operate within acceptable temperature limits, even in harsh environments, thereby ensuring the reliability and accuracy of torque measurements.
Implementation Method 1
the cooling fluid flows from the bearing cavity, into the flow passage along the outer surface of the torque probe to cool the torque probe
Data Source
AI summary
Cooling a torque probe involves an elongated sleeve extending along a sleeve axis between a first sleeve end and a second sleeve end. The sleeve is mountable about the torque probe to define a flow passage between an inner surface of the sleeve and an outer surface of the torque probe. The flow passage is in fluid communication with a flow passage inlet of the sleeve and with a flow passage outlet of the sleeve spaced apart along the sleeve axis from the flow passage inlet. A cooling fluid is configured to flow into the flow passage via the flow passage inlet, through the flow passage along the outer surface of the torque probe to cool the torque probe, and out of the flow passage via the flow passage outlet.