Wireless Sensor Network for Rotating Engine Health Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine monitoring systems require manual operations, wired sensors, and are not suitable for rotatable components, leading to weight increases, failure risks, and inability to monitor health or performance in real-time, especially for composite components.
Innovation Solution
A wireless sensor network with energy harvesting fibers and a near-field configuration, allowing for real-time monitoring of engine components by embedding sensors within composite layers to detect structural damage through electromagnetic signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If wired sensors are used to relay operational and health data, then data transmission capability is improved, but component weight increases and reliability decreases due to wire failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wired mechanical connections with wireless electromagnetic signal transmission. Sensors embedded in the component communicate health and operational data wirelessly to external systems, eliminating physical wires that are prone to detachment and deformation, thereby maintaining data transmission capability while significantly improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the transmission medium (wires) from the sensor system by implementing wireless communication. Sensors are embedded directly in the component and transmit data through electromagnetic fields, removing the problematic mechanical connection layer while preserving the essential data relay function.
2Productivity
If wired sensors are used for monitoring, then continuous data collection is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to installation complexity and maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Wireless electromagnetic transmission replaces complex wired installations, allowing sensors to be embedded without requiring physical connection routing. This maintains continuous monitoring capability while dramatically simplifying installation and maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless sensor system requires minimal external intervention for installation and maintenance. Sensors are self-contained and transmit data autonomously without requiring physical connection management, reducing operational complexity and improving ease of deployment.
3Measurement precision
If manual inspection methods are used to detect component damage, then detection capability is improved for surface-level issues, but productivity decreases due to periodic maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous real-time monitoring of component health parameters, replacing periodic manual inspections. Sensors continuously measure structural integrity, temperature, and operational status, providing ongoing detection capability that maintains measurement precision while eliminating repeated maintenance shutdowns, thereby improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Automated sensor-based detection replaces manual visual inspection methods. Electronic sensors continuously monitor component condition and transmit data for analysis, maintaining the ability to detect damage while operating continuously without requiring periodic component removal and manual examination.
4Loss of information
If wired sensors are installed on rotatable components, then monitoring coverage is improved, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases due to wire management issues
Solution Approach 1:
Wireless electromagnetic communication replaces physical wiring on rotatable components. Sensors embedded in rotating parts transmit data through electromagnetic fields without requiring rotating connectors or flexible cables, maintaining full monitoring coverage while eliminating the complex wire management systems that reduce reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission medium (wires) is extracted from the rotating component system entirely. Wireless sensors on rotatable components communicate through electromagnetic fields, removing all wire management complexity including rotating joints, flexible cables, and connection maintenance while preserving complete monitoring coverage.
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
Enables real-time health monitoring and reduced weight, eliminating the need for wired connections and allowing for continuous tracking of engine performance and damage detection without manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor network includes a transmitter and a plurality of receivers. Each receiver is configured to receive an electromagnetic signal from the transmitter.
Implementation Method 2
A wireless sensor network with energy harvesting fibers and a near-field configuration, allowing for real-time monitoring of engine components by embedding sensors within composite layers
Data Source
AI summary
A system for monitoring a health condition of a component is provided. The system includes a sensor network comprising a transmitter and a plurality of receivers. Each receiver is configured to receive an electromagnetic signal from the transmitter. A communications interface module is configured to receive an output signal from the transmitter. A computing system includes one or more memory devices and one or more processors. The one or more memory devices is configured to store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to execute operations. The operations include transmitting the electromagnetic signal from the transmitter to the plurality of receivers; receiving the output signal at the communications interface module, wherein the output signal is indicative of an array of the plurality of receivers that received the electromagnetic signal; and determining the health condition based on the output signal to the nominal operating state of the component.