System and method for measuring radiant energy in gas turbine engines, components and rigs

One embodiment of the present invention is a unique system for measuring radiant energy in gas turbine engines, gas turbine engine components and gas turbine engine/component rigs. Another embodiment is a unique method for measuring radiant energy in gas turbine engines, gas turbine engine components and gas turbine engine/component rigs. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for measuring radiant energy. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to gas turbine engines, and more particularly, to systems and methods for measuring radiant energy in a gas turbine engine and gas turbine engine components and rigs.

BACKGROUND

The measurement of radiant energy in gas turbine engines, gas turbine engine components and rigs remains an area of interest. Some existing systems have various shortcomings, drawbacks, and disadvantages relative to certain applications. Accordingly, there remains a need for further contributions in this area of technology.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the present invention is a unique system for measuring radiant energy in gas turbine engines, gas turbine engine components and gas turbine engine/component rigs. Another embodiment is a unique method for measuring radiant energy in gas turbine engine, gas turbine engine components and gas turbine engine/component rigs. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for measuring radiant energy. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nonetheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is intended by the illustration and description of certain embodiments of the invention. In addition, any alterations and/or modifications of the illustrated and/or described embodiment(s) are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention. Further, any other applications of the principles of the invention, as illustrated and/or described herein, as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular,FIGS. 1A and 1B, a non-limiting example of a high temperature structure10in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is depicted. In one form, structure10is a component of gas turbine engine, such as a combustion liner, a turbine blade, vane or wheel, or another gas turbine engine component. In other embodiments, structure10may be a high temperature test rig component or gas turbine engine component installed in a test rig. In still other embodiments, high temperature structure10may be a gas turbine engine.

In one form structure10is contained within another structure12, such as a test rig, a furnace, a gas turbine engine case structure or another gas turbine engine structure. In one form, structure12is pressurized. In other embodiments, structure12may not be pressurized. Structure10and structure12may take other forms in other embodiments, and may be components other than gas turbine engines and/or gas turbine engine components and/or gas turbine engine test rigs or components, unless specifically claimed herein. In one form, structure10is disposed in a fluid14, such as air or combustion products. In one form, fluid14is in motion, e.g., representative of the output of a gas turbine engine compressor, combustor and/or turbine.

The temperatures inside structure12are elevated, e.g., 600° F. or greater. In one form, the temperatures inside structure12are approximately 900° F. or greater. In a particular form, the temperatures inside structure12are approximately 1100° F. or greater. Structure10experiences high temperatures at various operating points. In one form, structure10has skin temperatures above 1500° F. In a particular form, structure10has skin temperatures in the range of 1800° F. to 2100° F. In other embodiments, structure10may have skin temperatures at higher and/or lower temperatures, e.g., including up to 3500° F. In one form, fluid14is at an elevated temperature, e.g., 600° F. or greater. In a particular form, fluid14is at a temperature of approximately 900° F. or greater. In a more particular form, the temperature of fluid14is approximately 1100° F. or greater. In other embodiments, the temperature of fluid14may be greater still, such as 1800° F. to 2100° F. or greater.

In various situations, e.g., during the testing or operation of a gas turbine engine or gas turbine engine components, it is desirable be able to determine surface temperatures and gas temperatures. In order to confirm the temperature at desired locations, i.e., areas of interest on structure10and/or areas of interest in fluid14locations, a system20for measuring radiant energy in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention may be employed.

System20includes a plurality of optical collection elements22, a plurality of fiber-optic leads24, a fiber channel selection switch26, a proximal lens28, an optical filter30, a detector32, a controller34and a display36. In the depicted example, a wall W separates structures10and12from fiber channel selection switch26, proximal lens28, optical filter30, detector32, controller34and display36. Optical collection elements22are disposed in structure12on the other side of wall W, and fiber-optic leads24are partially disposed on both sides of wall W, extending between optical collection elements22and fiber channel selection switch26.

Referring now toFIGS. 2A and 2B, a non-limiting example of an optical collection element22in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is depicted. Optical collection element22is operative to view an area of interest, e.g., on or in the vicinity of structure10. Optical collection element22includes a distal lens38, optical transmission elements40and a multi-part casing42for housing distal lens38and transmission elements40. Transmission elements40are in optical communication with distal lens38and fiber-optic lead24. As used herein, “optical communication” means that the components that are in optical communication are arranged and configured to transmit therebetween optical signals, i.e., electromagnetic (EM) waves, in the desired EM band. In one form, the desired EM band is infrared (IR) and near infrared (NIR) radiation. In other embodiments, other EM bands may be employed in addition to or in place of IR and NIR wavelengths.

Distal lens38is structured to view the area of interest and to collect raw optical image data therefrom, e.g., IR and NIR energy in the form of electromagnetic waves emanating from structure10and/or fluid14. In one form, distal lens38is a reflecting prism. In other embodiments, distal lens38may take other forms, for example, a transmitting prism or one or more other types of lenses. In one form, distal lens38is coated with a high temperature reflective coating. The coating is configured for operation at the temperatures inside structure12to which it is exposed. In one form, the coating is configured for operation at temperatures of at least 1100° F. In other embodiments, the coating may be configured for operation at higher temperatures.

Transmission elements40are configured to transmit the optical data received from distal lens38for reception by the distal end44of fiber-optic lead24. Fiber-optic lead24is disposed inside a shielding46. In one form, shielding46is a stainless steel tube. In other embodiments, shielding46may take other forms. Casing42is configured to receive and retain fiber-optic lead24and shielding46, and to align fiber-optic lead24with the optical path of transmission elements40. In one form, casing42is structured to focus the optical data received from distal lens38, e.g., by varying the distance between distal lens38and transmission elements40. In other embodiments, casing42may not be structured to perform a focusing function. Casing42includes an opening48for optically exposing distal lens38to the area of interest.

In one form, optical collection element22and fiber-optic lead24are uncooled. By being uncooled, smaller diameters of optical collection elements22and shielding46may be employed, and potential adverse impacts resulting from the introduction of cooling jacket gases into structure12are avoided. In other embodiments, optical collection element22and/or fiber-optic lead24may be cooled. For example, cooling air may be provided via one or more passages inside shielding46, which may be discharged into, for example, structure12. In the depiction ofFIG. 2A, an alternative embodiment of shielding46includes an inner annular wall46A and two annular passages50and52which may be used as supply and return passages for a cooling medium, such as air, without discharging the cooling medium inside structure12.

Fiber-optic lead24is operative to transmit the optical data received from transmission elements40for reception by proximal lens28. Fiber-optic lead24is configured for operation at elevated temperatures. In one form, fiber-optic lead24is configured for operation at temperatures up to 1100° F. In other embodiments, fiber-optic lead24may be configured for operation at temperatures up to 1800° F. to 2100° F. or greater. In one form, fiber-optic lead24is a fused silica coherent optical-fiber bundle. One commercially available fused silica coherent optical-fiber bundle that is suitable for use as fiber-optic lead24is available from Fujikura America, Inc.

Referring again toFIGS. 1A and 1B, fiber channel selection switch26includes a terminal plate54and an output plate56. Terminal plate54includes a plurality of terminals58. Terminals58are operative to receive and mechanically couple the proximal end60of fiber-optic leads24to fiber channel selection switch26. Output plate56includes an image output port62. In one form, image output port is operative to transmit the optical data from fiber-optic lead24to proximal lens28. In one form, image output port62is operative to transmit optical data from a single fiber-optic lead24. In other embodiments, image output port62is operative to transmit optical data from a plurality of fiber-optic leads. In one form, output plate56is structured to mount proximal lens28in image output port62. In other embodiments, other arrangements for mounting proximal lens28may be employed. In various embodiments, image output port62may take different forms, and may be, for example, an optical pathway, or may simply be an opening in output plate56that permits proximal lens28to be in close proximity to the desired fiber-optic lead24.

Fiber channel selection switch26is structured to selectively expose output port62to a chosen fiber-optic lead24in response to a control input. In various embodiments, fiber channel selection switch26is structured to move at least one of terminal plate54and output plate56relative to the other, to align the chosen fiber-optic lead24with proximal lens28. In some embodiments, optical oil may be employed between the interface of terminal plate54and output plate56and/or proximal lens28in order to aid in the transmission of the optical data from fiber-optic leads24to proximal lens28.

In one form, a mechanical actuator64is coupled to output plate56, and is operative to move output plate56relative to terminal plate54to align proximal lens28with the output of a chosen fiber optic lead24via output port62. In one form, the movement is via remote control of actuator64in response to commands from controller34, e.g., via human input to a keyboard66coupled to controller34. In other embodiments, the movement may be by hand. In still other embodiments, fiber channel selection switch26may be operative to move output plate56relative to terminal plate54in order to align the output of a fiber-optic lead24with proximal lens28, or to move terminal plate54in addition to or in place of moving output plate56to effect the alignment. In one form, the movement is translational. In various embodiments, the movement may be translational and/or rotational, e.g., depending on the geometries of terminal plate54and output plate56. It will be understood that the term “plate” in “terminal plate54” and “output plate56” is descriptive only, and that the physical geometry of those components may be any suitable geometry that allows the transmission of optical data from a selected one or more fiber-optic lead24to proximal lens28.

Optical filter30is operative to filter the raw optical image data prior to it reaching detector32. In one form, optical filter30is a band-pass filter. In other embodiments, other filter types may be employed, e.g., high pass filters, low pass filters, or multiple band-pass filters. In a particular form, optical filter30is operative to restrict the raw optical image data to a range of approximately 0.9 to approximately 1.05 micron wavelength, which restricts system20to collecting NIR data to the range of 0.9 to 1.05 microns. In other embodiments, optical filter30may be configured to pass other wavelengths in addition to or in place of 0.9 to 1.05 microns, e.g., depending upon the temperatures exhibited by structure10and fluid14.

In the depicted embodiment, optical filter30is positioned between proximal lens28and detector32. In other embodiments, optical filter30may be positioned in other locations. Alternate locations for optical filter30include, but are not limited to, being positioned inside or on one more optical collection elements22, at the proximal end60or distal end44of one or more fiber-optic leads24, or between proximal lens28and terminal plate54of fiber channel selection switch26.

Proximal lens28is operative to focus the raw optical data onto detector32. In one form, system20employs a single proximal lens28. In other embodiments, more than one proximal lens may be employed. Detector32is an optical head. In one form, detector32is operative to convert the raw optical data into electrical signals. In one form, detector32is a digital device. In other embodiments, detector32may be an analog device. In a particular form, detector32is digital camera. In other embodiments, an analog camera may be employed. In a more particular form, detector32is an indium-gallium-arsenide detector. One commercially available device that is suitable for use as detector32is the Alpha NIR™ camera available from FLIR Systems, Inc.

Controller34is communicatively coupled to detector32, display36, actuator64and keyboard66via communications links68,70,72and74. In one form, communications links68,70,72and74are wired connections. In other embodiments, wireless connections or combinations of wired and wireless connections may be employed. Although display36is coupled to controller34in the present embodiment, in other embodiments, display36may be coupled directly to detector32.

Controller34is configured to execute program instructions to, among other things, receive the output of detector32, display the output on display36, and store the output in a suitable memory device. Controller34is also operative to control actuator64to align proximal lens28with the selected fiber-optic lead24. The alignment may be performed automatically by controller34and/or manually by operator input via keyboard66.

In one form, controller34is microprocessor based and the program instructions are in the form of software stored in a memory (not shown). In a particular form, controller34is a computer having a data acquisition card in communication with detector32. However, it is alternatively contemplated that the controller and program instructions may be in the form of any combination of software, firmware and hardware, including state machines, and may reflect the output of discreet devices and/or integrated circuits, which may be co-located at a particular location or distributed across more than one location, including any digital and/or analog devices configured to achieve the same or similar results as a processor-based controller executing software or firmware based instructions.

During operation, system20is operative to selectively view different areas of interest inside structure12, e.g., areas of interest in or on structure10and fluid14by aligning the output of a fiber-optic lead24associated with the desired area of interest with proximal lens28. This alignment completes the optical path from the area of interest to detector32via the optical collection element22, fiber-optic lead24, proximal lens28and optical filter30. The data output by detector32in response to detecting the optical data from optical collection elements22may be displayed in display36, and may also be analyzed to determine temperature data associated with structure10and fluid14.

Embodiments of the present invention include a system for measuring radiant energy from a high temperature structure, comprising: a plurality of optical collection elements, wherein each optical collection element is operative to view an area of interest; a plurality of fiber-optic leads in optical communication with the plurality of optical collection elements; a fiber channel selection switch having an image output port and being structured to receive the plurality of fiber-optic leads; a proximal lens in optical communication with the image output port; and a detector in optical communication with the proximal lens and operative to capture optical data from the proximal lens, wherein the fiber channel selection switch is structured to selectively expose the output port to a chosen fiber-optic lead in response to a control input.

In a refinement, control input is based on a human selection of a fiber-optic lead of the plurality of fiber-optic leads.

In another refinement, the fiber channel selection switch is remotely controlled.

In yet another refinement, each optical collection element includes a distal lens structured to view the area of interest.

In still another refinement, the distal lens is a reflecting prism.

In yet still another refinement, the reflecting prism includes a high temperature reflective coating configured for operation at temperatures of at least 1100° F.

In a further refinement, the fiber channel selection switch includes a terminal plate having individual terminals for mechanically coupling each fiber optic lead to the fiber channel selection switch; and wherein the fiber channel selection switch is structured to move at least one of the terminal plate and the output port relative to the other of the terminal plate and the output port to align the chosen fiber-optic lead with the output port.

In a yet further refinement, a fiber-optic lead of the plurality of fiber-optic leads is a fused silica optical-fiber bundle.

In a yet still further refinement, the system includes an optical filter positioned to filter the optical data prior to capture of the optical data by the detector.

In an additional refinement, the optical filter is a band-pass filter operative to pass near-infrared radiation having wavelengths in the range of 0.9 to 1.05 microns.

Embodiments of the present invention include a system for measuring radiant energy in a gas turbine engine component, comprising: a plurality of optical collection elements, wherein each optical collection element is positioned inside one of a gas turbine engine and a gas turbine engine test rig, and wherein each optical collection element is operative to view an area of interest on the gas turbine engine component; a plurality of fiber-optic leads in optical communication with the plurality of optical collection elements and extending to outside of the one of the gas turbine engine and the gas turbine engine test rig; and means for selectively capturing optical data from a chosen fiber-optic lead, wherein the means for selectively capturing the optical data are positioned outside of the one of the gas turbine engine and the gas turbine engine test rig.

In a refinement, the means for selectively capturing optical data includes a proximal lens selectively exposed to the chosen fiber-optic lead to complete an optical path between the chosen fiber-optic lead and the proximal lens.

In another refinement, the means for selectively capturing optical data includes a near-infrared (NIR) detector.

In yet another refinement, the NIR detector is a camera.

In still another refinement, the NIR detector is a digital device.

In yet still another refinement, the NIR detector is an indium-gallium-arsenide detector.

In a further refinement, at least one of the fiber-optic leads and at least one of the optical collection elements are uncooled and are configured for operation in temperatures of at least 1100° F.

In a yet further refinement, at least one of the fiber-optic leads and at least one of the optical collection elements are uncooled and are configured for operation in temperatures of up to 2100° F.

Embodiments of the present invention include a method for measuring radiant energy, comprising: coupling first ends of a plurality of fiber-optic leads with a plurality of optical collection elements; positioning the optical collection elements in a high temperature apparatus, wherein each optical collection element is operative to view an area of interest; coupling second ends of the plurality of fiber-optic leads to a fiber channel selection switch having a plurality of terminals configured to receive the second ends; positioning a proximal lens in optical communication with an output port of the fiber channel selection switch; choosing a fiber-optic lead for viewing; exposing the output port to the chosen fiber-optic lead; and capturing optical data from the chosen fiber-optic lead via the proximal lens.

In a refinement, the exposing of the output port to the chosen fiber-optic lead includes moving at least one of the proximal lens and a terminal of the plurality of terminals associated with the chosen fiber-optic lead relative to the other to optically align the chosen fiber-optic lead with the proximal lens.