Turbine engine component with integrated waveguide

An assembly is provided for a turbine engine. This turbine engine assembly includes a turbine engine case, a first transceiver and a second transceiver. The turbine engine case includes a case wall and a waveguide. The waveguide is formed integral with the case wall. The waveguide includes a waveguide channel. The second transceiver is configured to be in signal communication with the first transceiver through the waveguide channel.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Technical Field

This disclosure relates generally to a gas turbine engine and, more particularly, to signal communication between devices for the gas turbine engine.

2. Background Information

A gas turbine engine may include various electronic components configured in signal communication with one another through a wiring harness. A typical wiring harness includes a multitude of wires for providing signal paths between the electronic components. One or more of these wires are connected to a respective electronic component through a connector. However, if one or more connectors are not fully seated or mated with the wrong components, the turbine engine and its electronic components may not properly function. Furthermore, a typical wiring harness takes up valuable peripheral space about the gas turbine engine. There is a need in the art therefore for an improved signal communication system which may reduce or obviate the need for wire connectors and/or free up space about the gas turbine engine.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an assembly is provided for a turbine engine. This turbine engine assembly includes a turbine engine case, a first transceiver and a second transceiver. The turbine engine case includes a case wall and a waveguide. The waveguide is formed integral with the case wall. The waveguide includes a waveguide channel. The second transceiver is configured to be in signal communication with the first transceiver through the waveguide channel.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, another assembly is provided for a turbine engine. This turbine engine assembly includes a turbine engine case, a waveguide channel, a first transceiver and a second transceiver. The waveguide channel is integrated with the turbine engine case. The second transceiver is configured to be in signal communication with the first transceiver through the waveguide channel.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, another assembly is provided for a turbine engine. This turbine engine assembly includes a turbine engine component, a first transceiver and a second transceiver. The turbine engine component includes a wall and a waveguide. The waveguide is adjacent and extends along the wall. At least the wall and the waveguide are configured together as a monolithic body. The second transceiver is configured to be in signal communication with the first transceiver through the waveguide.

The turbine engine component may be configured as or otherwise include a turbine engine case. The wall may be configured as or otherwise include a case wall of the turbine engine case.

The waveguide channel may be embedded within the turbine engine case.

The turbine engine case may include a case wall and a waveguide. The waveguide may be configured with the case wall as a monolithic body. The waveguide may include the waveguide channel.

The first transceiver may be attached to the turbine engine case at a first portal of the waveguide channel.

The second transceiver may be attached to the turbine engine case at a second portal of the waveguide channel.

The turbine engine assembly may also include a third transceiver configured to be in signal communication with at least the first transceiver through the waveguide channel.

The waveguide channel may include a plurality of channel segments interconnected at a junction. The channel segments may include a first channel segment, a second channel segment and a third channel segment. The first channel segment may extend from the junction towards the first transceiver. The second channel segment may extend from the junction towards the second transceiver. The third channel segment may extend from the junction towards the third transceiver.

The junction may be configured as a T-junction.

The T-junction may be a magic tee junction.

The waveguide may include a first projection that projects into the waveguide channel.

The waveguide may also include a second projection that projects into the waveguide channel. The first projection and the second projection may be arranged on opposing sides of the waveguide channel.

At least a portion of the waveguide channel may have a lobed cross-sectional geometry.

At least a portion of the waveguide channel may have an H-shaped cross-sectional geometry.

The turbine engine assembly may also include a controller in signal communication with the waveguide channel through the first transceiver.

The turbine engine assembly may also include a sensor in signal communication with the waveguide channel through the second transceiver.

The turbine engine assembly may also include a combustor section at least partially housed within the turbine engine case.

The turbine engine assembly may also include a turbine section at least partially housed within the turbine engine case.

The first transceiver may be configured to transmit a radio frequency (RF) signal into and to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal from the waveguide.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates an assembly10for a gas turbine engine. This turbine engine assembly10includes an engine system12and a turbine engine component14.

The engine system12may be configured as or included in an engine control system and/or an engine sensor system. The engine system12ofFIG. 1, for example, includes a plurality of system devices16A C16A,16B and16C (generally referred to as16) and a communication system18for facilitating communication between the system devices16.

The system devices16may include a controller (e.g., an electronic control module (ECM)) and one or more sensors (e.g., probes). Examples of the sensors include, but are not limited to, a speed sensor, a power sensor, a temperature sensor (e.g., an exhaust gas temperature (EGT) sensor), a pressure sensor and a flow sensor. The system devices16may also or alternatively include one or more actuators. Examples of the actuators include, but are not limited to, an electronic valve for actuating a hydraulic or pneumatic device, an electronic pump for actuating a hydraulic or pneumatic device, and an electronic switch for actuating an electric motor. The system devices16may also or alternatively include one or more electronic ignition devices. Examples of the electronic ignition devices include, but are not limited to, electric spark ignition engine start devices and electronic pyro flare engine start devices. Of course, various other types of sensors, actuators and, more generally, system devices are known in the art for a gas turbine engine application, and the present disclosure is not limited to any particular ones thereof.

The communication system18ofFIG. 1includes a waveguide20and a plurality of transceivers22A,22B and22C (generally referred to as22) (e.g., input/output devices). The waveguide20is configured with at least one waveguide channel24(e.g., an internal waveguide passage) within the waveguide20. This waveguide channel24is configured to provide a signal path for electric, magnetic and/or electromagnetic signal waves (e.g., radio frequency (RF) waves) between two or more waveguide portals26A,26B and26C (generally referred to as26) of the waveguide20. The term waveguide portal may describe a signal input and/or output port for coupling at least one transceiver to a waveguide channel. One or more waveguide portal26, for example, may each be configured as an aperture (e.g., a through hole) that extends through a wall of the waveguide20and that is fluidly coupled with the waveguide channel24.

The transceivers22are respectively configured to be in signal communication with (e.g., hardwired and/or wirelessly coupled to) at least one of the system devices16. The transceiver22A,22B,22C ofFIG. 1, for example, is configured in signal communication with a respective one of the system devices16A,16B,16C through an electrical conduit28A,28B and28C (generally referred to as28); e.g., a bundle of one or more wires. Each transceiver22is also arranged and/or mated with a respective one of the waveguide portals26. Each transceiver22may thereby: (A) receive a signal from the respective system device16; and (B) convert the received signal into signal wave(s) for transmission within the waveguide channel24to one or more of the other transceivers22. Each transceiver22may also or alternatively thereby: (A) receive signal wave(s) transmitted through the waveguide channel24from one or more of the other transceivers22; and (B) convert the received signal wave(s) into a signal for transmission to the respective system device16through, for example, the electrical conduit28.

The turbine engine component14ofFIG. 1is configured as a turbine engine case30. This turbine engine case30includes a case wall32that extends axially along an axial centerline34between and to a first end36and a second end38. Referring toFIG. 2, the case wall32extends circumferentially about (e.g., completely around) the axial centerline34. The case wall32and, thus, the turbine engine case30ofFIG. 2, for example, are each configured as a full hoop, tubular body. The case wall32also extends radially between and to a radial inner side40and a radial outer side42.

The turbine engine case30and the case wall32ofFIG. 2are configured to at least partially (or completely) house one or more sections44of the turbine engine; e.g., a fan section, a compressor section, a combustor section, a turbine section and/or an exhaust section of the turbine engine. The turbine engine case30, for example, may extend circumferentially around (e.g., circumscribe) and axially overlap at least a portion or an entirety of the one or more turbine engine sections44. The turbine engine case30, for example, may be configured as a fan case, a compressor case, a combustor case, a turbine case and/or an exhaust case.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the waveguide20and its waveguide channel24are integrated with the turbine engine case30; see alsoFIG. 3. The waveguide channel24, for example, may be embedded within the turbine engine case30. More particularly, the waveguide20may be formed integral with the case wall32. The turbine engine case30, for example, may include both the case wall32and the waveguide20, where the case wall32and the waveguide20and, more generally, the entire turbine engine case30may be configured as a single monolithic body. Herein, the term monolithic may describe an apparatus which is formed as a single unitary body. The waveguide20, for example, may be cast, machined, additively manufactured and/or otherwise formed integral with the case wall32as a unitary body; see alsoFIG. 3. Thus, the waveguide20is a permanent element of the turbine engine case30. By contrast, a non-monolithic body may include a waveguide that is discretely formed from a case wall, where the waveguide is subsequently mechanically fastened and/or otherwise removably attached to the case wall.

By integrating the waveguide20and its waveguide channel24into the turbine engine case30, complexity and weight of the turbine engine assembly10may be reduced. The integration may free up peripheral space about the turbine engine case30for packaging other turbine engine components and/or for reducing an overall size of the turbine engine. Utilizing a waveguide versus a wiring harness may also reduce overall complexity of the communication system18as well as obviate the need for at least some wire connectors. This in turn may provide mistake proofing during turbine engine manufacture and/or repair, reduce cost of the communication system18and/or increase reliability of the turbine engine.

Referring still toFIGS. 1 and 2, the waveguide20is located at (e.g., on, adjacent or proximate) the case wall outer side42. The waveguide20may be arranged adjacent and/or may extend (e.g., axially and/or circumferentially) along the case wall32.

The waveguide channel24ofFIG. 1includes one or more channel segments46A-C (generally referred to as46) interconnected at a junction48; e.g., a T-junction such as a magic tee junction (also known as a magic T junction). The first channel segment46A leads (e.g., extends, projects out) from the junction48towards the first transceiver22A; e.g., to the first waveguide portal26A. The second channel segment46B leads from the junction48towards the second transceiver22B; e.g., to the second waveguide portal26B. The third channel segment46C leads from the junction48towards the third transceiver22C; e.g., to the third waveguide portal26C. With this arrangement, the third channel segment46C may form a base of the junction48and the first and the second channel segments46A and46B may form arms of a top of the junction48. An exemplary embodiment of the junction48configured as a magic tee junction is illustrated inFIG. 3. The present disclosure, however, is not limited to such exemplary waveguide channel segment and/or inter-segment junction configurations. For example, in other embodiments, some or each of the channel segments46may be interconnected with one another at an L-junction, an E-junction, a V-junction, a K-junction, an X-junction, etc.

In some embodiments, referring toFIG. 1, at least a portion50of the waveguide20may be cantilevered from the case wall32. The waveguide portion50ofFIG. 1, for example, may project axially out from the second end38of the case wall32to, for example, the third waveguide portal26C at a distal end of the waveguide20.

In some embodiments, referring toFIG. 4, at least a portion or an entirety of the waveguide channel24may be configured with a lobed cross-sectional geometry when viewed, for example, in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline52of the waveguide channel24; e.g., plane ofFIG. 4. The waveguide channel24ofFIG. 4, for example, is configured with an H-shaped (or I-shaped) cross-sectional geometry. More particularly, the waveguide20ofFIG. 4includes one or more lobes54A and54B (generally referred to as54) (e.g., ribs, projections, etc.). Each of these lobes54may be configured to guide the electric, magnetic and/or electromagnetic signal waves through the waveguide channel24between the different transceivers22; e.g., between the transceivers22A and22B, between the transceivers22A and22C, and/or between the transceivers22B and22C. The first lobe54A (e.g., rib) ofFIG. 4, for example, is arranged at a first (e.g., radial inner) side of the waveguide channel24. This first lobe54A projects vertically (e.g., in a radial direction) partially into the waveguide channel24to a distal edge56A. The first lobe54A extends longitudinally within the waveguide channel24along the longitudinal centerline52; e.g., along an entirety (or more than 75%) of a longitudinal length of the waveguide channel24. The second lobe54B (e.g., rib) is arranged at a second (e.g., radial outer) side of the waveguide channel24. This second lobe54B projects vertically (e.g., in a radial direction) partially into the waveguide channel24to a distal edge56B. The second lobe54B extends longitudinally within the waveguide channel24along the longitudinal centerline52; e.g., along the entirety (or more than 75%) of the longitudinal length of the waveguide channel24. The second lobe54B may be arranged opposite (e.g., diametrically opposed to) and/or aligned with the first lobe54A. The second lobe54B may also or alternatively have the same cross-sectional geometry as the first lobe54A at, for example, common locations along the longitudinal centerline52. At least a portion (or an entirety) of one or more corners of each lobe54A,54B may be eased (e.g., rounded, bullnosed, chamfered, etc.; seeFIG. 3). At least a portion (or an entirety) of one or more corners of each lobe54A,54B may also or alternatively be sharp (e.g., pointed, squared-off, etc.; seeFIGS. 3 and 4). The present disclosure, however, is not limited to such exemplary waveguide channel cross-sectional geometries nor longitudinal lobe lengths. For example, in other embodiments, the waveguide20may include a single lobe (e.g., rib), more than two lobes (e.g., ribs) or the waveguide20may be configured without any lobes.

The waveguide20is described above as being located at the case wall outer side42. However, in other embodiments, at least a portion or an entirety of the waveguide20may alternatively be located at the case wall inner side40as shown, for example, inFIG. 5. In still other embodiments, at least a portion or an entirety of the waveguide channel24may alternatively be recessed into or embedded within a thickness of the case wall32as shown, for example, inFIG. 6.

The waveguide20is described above as being formed integral with the case wall32. However, in other embodiments, the waveguide20may be formed as a discrete body from the case wall32and subsequently permanently attached (e.g., welded or otherwise permanently bonded) to the case wall32.

The turbine engine component14is described above as the turbine engine case30. The present disclosure, however, is not limited to such an exemplary turbine engine component configuration. Rather, the turbine engine component14may alternatively be configured as or also include another component of the turbine engine where that component includes a wall (e.g., a sidewall) with which the waveguide20may be integrated as described herein.

The turbine engine assembly10of the present disclosure may be configured with different types and configurations of turbine engines.FIG. 7illustrates one such type and configuration of the turbine engine—a one-spool, radial-flow turbojet turbine engine58configured for propelling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a drone or any other aircraft or self-propelled projectile. In the specific embodiment ofFIG. 7, the turbine engine58includes an upstream inlet60, a (e.g., radial) compressor section62, the combustor section63, a (e.g., radial) turbine section64and a downstream exhaust66fluidly coupled in series. A compressor rotor68in the compressor section62is coupled with a turbine rotor70in the turbine section64by a shaft72, which rotates about a centerline/rotational axis of the turbine engine58; e.g., the axial centerline34. In such an embodiment, the turbine engine case30(seeFIG. 1) may be configured to at least partially or completely house any one or more of the turbine engine sections62,63and64.

FIG. 8illustrates another type and configuration of the turbine engine a turbofan turbine engine74configured for propelling an aircraft such as, but not limited to, a passenger plane or a cargo plane. In the specific embodiment ofFIG. 8, the turbine engine74extends along a centerline/rotational axis of the turbine engine74(e.g., the axial centerline34) between an upstream inlet76and a downstream exhaust78. The turbine engine74includes a fan section80, a compressor section81, a combustor section82and a turbine section83. The compressor section81includes a low pressure compressor (LPC) section81A and a high pressure compressor (HPC) section81B. The turbine section83includes a high pressure turbine (HPT) section83A and a low pressure turbine (LPT) section83B. These engine sections80,81A,81B,82,83A and83B are arranged sequentially along the axial centerline34within an engine housing84. This engine housing84includes an inner case86(e.g., a core case) and an outer case88(e.g., a fan case), where the turbine engine case30(seeFIG. 1) may be configured as or included in the inner case86or the outer case88. The inner case86may house one or more of the engine sections81A,81B,82,83A and83B; e.g., an engine core. The outer case88may house at least the fan section80.

The turbine engine assembly10may be included in various turbine engines other than the one described above. The turbine engine assembly10, for example, may be included in a geared turbine engine where a gear train connects one or more shafts to one or more rotors in a fan section, a compressor section and/or any other engine section. Alternatively, the turbine engine assembly10may be included in a turbine engine configured without a gear train. The turbine engine assembly10may be included in a geared or non-geared turbine engine configured with a single spool (e.g., seeFIG. 7), with two spools (e.g., seeFIG. 8), or with more than two spools. The turbine engine may be configured as a turbofan engine, a turbojet engine, a propfan engine, a pusher fan engine or any other type of turbine engine. The present disclosure therefore is not limited to any particular types or configurations of turbine engines.