Abstract:
A fuel injector for a gas turbine combustor is disclosed which includes a feed arm having a flange for mounting the injector within the combustor and a fuel nozzle depending from the feed arm for injecting fuel into the combustor for combustion. An optical sensor array is operatively associated with the fuel nozzle for observing combustor flame characteristics. The optical sensor array includes a plurality of sapphire rods positioned to be close enough to the combustor flame to oxidize soot deposits thereon.
Abstract:
A wireless tire pressure sensing system for an aircraft comprises: dual resonant circuits mounted to a wheel of the aircraft, each resonant circuit comprising: a variable capacitance sensor and a wire loop of a predetermined inductance coupled thereto, one capacitance sensor for monitoring the pressure of a tire mounted to the wheel, and the other capacitance sensor operative as a reference to the one capacitance sensor; an interrogating circuit magnetically coupleable to the dual resonant circuits and operative to induce magnetically a variable frequency current in the dual resonant circuits, the one resonant circuit responding to the induced current with an E-field signal at a first resonant frequency commensurate with the capacitance of the one sensor, and the other resonant circuit responding to the induced current with an E-field signal at a second resonant frequency commensurate with the capacitance of the other sensor; a receiving circuit E-field coupleable to the dual resonant circuits and operative to receive the E-field signals at the first and second resonant frequencies and to generate first and second signals representative thereof; and a processing circuit coupled to the receiving circuit for processing the first and second signals to generate a compensated pressure reading of the tire. The pressure sensing system may be modified to provide and/or include wheel speed sensing.
Abstract:
A purging air flow system for passing air over a lens to keep it clean and free from particulate contaminants and also for providing a positive flow of air away from the lens has baffles which cause a flow across the lens that is not symmetrical to avoid a dead air or stagnation zone in the center of the lens. The air supply used for such purging is controlled adequately so the flow changes direction and particles are removed from the main flow of purge air by inertial separation prior to the time the air contacts the lens. Such air entrained particles might otherwise deposit on the lens. A flow control orifice also may provide a secondary flow to carry the particles separated from the main flow out of the flow passageway.
Abstract:
A system is disclosed for actively controlling combustion in a gas turbine engine, which includes a fuel injector for issuing fuel into a combustion chamber of the gas turbine engine. The fuel injector has a dynamic pressure sensor for measuring acoustic pressure within the combustion chamber and a flame sensor for observing flame characteristics within the combustion chamber. The system further includes a high speed valve assembly for controlling flow of fuel to the injector and an electronic controller associated with the fuel injector for commanding the valve assembly to deliver fuel to the fuel injector at a commanded flow rate, based upon input from the sensors in the fuel injector.
Abstract:
A seal assembly for an optical sensor employed in a high temperature environment is disclosed which includes an elongated metal guide tube having a distal end portion defining an open distal end and an inner rear wall, a sapphire window disposed within the distal end portion of the metal guide tube, the sapphire window having a rear end surface abutting the inner rear wall of the distal end portion of the metal guide tube, and a platinum mounting sleeve for securing the sapphire window to the metal guide tube, the platinum mounting sleeve having one portion joined to the metal guide tube and another portion joined to the sapphire window.
Abstract:
A fuel injector for a gas turbine combustor is disclosed which includes a feed arm having a flange for mounting the injector within the combustor and a fuel nozzle depending from the feed arm for injecting fuel into the combustor for combustion. An optical sensor array is operatively associated with the fuel nozzle for observing combustor flame characteristics. The optical sensor array includes a plurality of sapphire rods positioned to be close enough to the combustor flame to oxidize soot deposits thereon.
Abstract:
The invention provides a temperature measurement system including a temperature sensor and means for biasing the temperature sensor in the direction of a thermal energy source in response to receiving thermal energy from the source. The invention also provides a continuous casting system including at least one temperature sensor disposed in the secondary cooling region and means for biasing the temperature sensor in the direction of the strand of metal in response to receiving thermal energy from the strand of metal.
Abstract:
A non-intrusive sensor for measuring mass flow of a medium flowing through a tube comprises: a probe having a predetermined length disposed along an external wall of the tube; a heater for heating the probe at a first point along the length thereof; a first temperature measuring device disposed at the first point for measuring a temperature of the probe and for generating a first signal Th representative thereof; a second temperature measuring device disposed at a second point along the length of the probe for measuring another temperature of the probe and for generating a second signal Tt representative thereof; a third temperature measuring device disposed along the external wall of the tube a distance away from the probe for measuring an ambient temperature and for generating a signal Ta representative thereof; and circuitry coupled to the first, second and third temperature measuring devices for generating a mass flow signal based on a ratio of temperature differential signals (Th−Ta)/(Tt−Ta). A counterpart method is also disclosed.
Abstract translation:用于测量流过管的介质的质量流量的非侵入传感器包括:具有沿管的外壁设置的预定长度的探针; 用于在沿其长度的第一点处加热探针的加热器; 第一温度测量装置,其设置在第一点处,用于测量探针的温度并产生其代表的第一信号T H h H; 第二温度测量装置,设置在沿着探头的长度的第二点处,用于测量探针的另一温度并产生代表其的第二信号; 第三温度测量装置,沿着管的外壁离开探头一定距离,用于测量环境温度并产生其代表的信号; 以及耦合到所述第一,第二和第三温度测量装置的电路,用于基于所述温差信号(T H)的比率产生质量流量信号 (T T)T T T T T T T A T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T 还公开了一种对应方法。
Abstract:
A method of stabilizing combustion in a gas turbine engine includes the steps of observing a combustor flame from a location upstream from said flame to detect spectral characteristics indicative of a condition affecting combustion stability, and tuning the engine to stabilize combustion based upon an indicated condition affecting combustion stability.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a fuel injector for a gas turbine engine combustor that includes a fuel nozzle for injecting fuel into the gas turbine engine combustor and a fiber optic microphone operatively associated with the fuel nozzle for measuring acoustic pressure differentials within a combustion chamber of the gas turbine engine combustor. The fiber optic microphone includes a fiber bundle having at least one light transmitting fiber and one light receiving fiber; and a dynamic pressure-sensing diaphragm operatively spaced apart from a sensing end of the fiber bundle. The diaphragm has a reflective surface and is formed from a material capable of withstanding temperatures associated with flame exposure. The diaphragm is adapted and configured for deflecting in response to acoustic pressure changes within the combustion chamber. The fuel injector can further include a mechanism for measuring the temperature of the diaphragm, so as to account for changes in the material properties of the diaphragm caused by temperature changes in the combustion chamber.