Turbine Strain Sensor Assembly with Unique Initial Values
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring turbine component strain, such as using strain sensors, are vulnerable to unauthorized use, which poses a risk for accurate creep monitoring in turbomachines.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an assembly and method involving two strain sensors with non-uniform dimensions and initial values, where one sensor's dimension is modified using mathematical operations, and both sensors are configured on a turbine component, with their values compared to determine strain, thereby reducing the risk of unauthorized use by making it difficult to estimate initial values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If strain sensors are configured on turbine components for creep monitoring, then the ability to detect and monitor turbine component deformation is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to unauthorized use and tampering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using strain sensors with non-uniform dimensions and unique initial values. Each sensor has distinct dimensional parameters (length, width, thickness) and initial strain values that are stored in a database. This variability in parameters makes it difficult for unauthorized users to replicate or tamper with the sensors, as they would need to know the specific initial parameters of each sensor to maintain measurement validity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by configuring multiple strain sensors at different locations on the turbine component, where each sensor has unique dimensional characteristics and initial values specific to its location. The non-uniform dimensions of each sensor are tailored to its specific monitoring position, creating locally optimized sensors that are difficult to interchange or replicate without authorization.
2Reliability
If multiple strain sensors with different initial values are used, then the difficulty of unauthorized use increases, but the device complexity and measurement system requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying in the sense that multiple strain sensors are deployed across the turbine component, each being a copy of the basic sensor type but with unique dimensional parameters and initial values. A database stores the initial values for each sensor, creating a reference copy that enables verification of sensor integrity without requiring complex hardware changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - a database - that stores the initial strain values and dimensional parameters of each sensor. This intermediary serves as a mediator between the physical sensors and the monitoring system, allowing for verification of sensor authenticity and integrity without adding physical complexity to the sensors themselves.
Data Source
AI summary
Assemblies and methods for monitoring turbine component deformation are provided. An assembly includes a first strain sensor configurable on the turbine component, the first strain sensor including at least two reference points and having a first dimension. The assembly further includes a second strain sensor configurable on the turbine component, the second strain sensor including at least two reference points and having a first dimension which corresponds to the first dimension of the first strain sensor. An initial value of the first dimension of the second strain sensor is different from an initial value of the first dimension of the first strain sensor. In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for monitoring turbine component deformation is provided.