Gas Turbine Debris Sensor Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Debris sensors in gas turbine engine lubrication circuits face signal noise due to vibrations induced by engine throttling, which resonate sensor coils and render sensed data unreliable.
Innovation Solution
A sensor design featuring internal and external damping materials to absorb high-frequency vibratory harmonics, with internal damping material enveloping sensor coils and external damping material disposed on the housing to reduce noise in sensor readings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensor coils are disposed in a lubrication flow to detect debris, then debris detection capability is improved, but vibration-induced signal noise increases rendering data unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
A non-conductive tubular sleeve is introduced as an intermediary component between the sensor coils and the housing. This sleeve acts as a mechanical decoupler that isolates the sensor coils from vibrations transmitted through the housing, thereby reducing vibration-induced noise while preserving the sensor's debris detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vibrational energy that causes noise by implementing damping material that converts harmful vibrations into minimal mechanical energy dissipation. The damping material absorbs and dissipates vibrational energy, transforming the harmful vibration-induced noise into a benign state while maintaining sensor functionality
2Reliability
If damping material is added to suppress vibrations, then signal noise is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular sleeve serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical insulation for the sensor coils, acts as a mechanical decoupler from vibrations, and serves as a structural support element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving vibration suppression
Solution Approach 2:
The damping material and tubular sleeve are integrated into the existing sensor housing structure in a nested configuration. The tubular sleeve is positioned within the housing, and damping material is applied to the housing interior surface, creating a compact nested arrangement that minimizes additional space requirements and structural complexity
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
The damping materials effectively suppress vibrations, enhancing the reliability of debris detection data by minimizing electronic noise in sensor signals.
Implementation Method 1
internal damping material separating the plurality of sensor coils from the housing. The internal damping material envelops the plurality of sensor coils
Implementation Method 2
The damping materials effectively suppress vibrations, enhancing the reliability of debris detection data by minimizing electronic noise in sensor signals
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A sensor (100) for sensing debris in a lubrication flow through a lubrication channel (101) in a gas turbine engine (20), the sensor (100) including: a housing (102); external electronics (116) communicating sensed data to a signal processor (124); internal electronics (106) within the housing, the internal electronics (106) being electronically connected to the external electronics (116), the internal electronics including a plurality of sensor coils (110,112,114) adjacently disposed in a lubrication flow-wise direction (108); and internal damping material (132) separating the plurality of sensor coils (110,112,114) from the housing (102).