Thermally constrained high temperature optical fiber holder
View Patent ↗A disclosed probe assembly includes a sensor member and an outer holder including a main bore for the sensor member, the outer holder including a first coefficient of thermal expansion. The sensor member is held within a sensor bore of an inner holder. The inner holder is held within the main bore of the outer holder by an interference fit. The inner holder includes a second coefficient of thermal expansion greater than the first coefficient of thermal expansion. Expansion of the inner holder is constrained by the outer holder to maintain the sensor member within the probe bore of the inner holder at elevated temperatures.
1. A gas turbine engine case assembly comprising:
a case about a rotational axis of a gas turbine engine; and
at least one probe assembly supported within the case with the at least one probe assembly including;
a sensor member;
an outer holder including a main bore for the sensor member, the outer holder including a first coefficient of thermal expansion; and
an inner holder including a sensor bore receiving the sensor member such that the sensor member is held within the sensor bore with an interference fit when both the sensor member and inner holder are at a common temperature, wherein the inner holder is disposed within the main bore and includes a second coefficient of thermal expansion greater than the first coefficient of thermal expansion.
2. The gas turbine engine case assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the sensor member comprises an optical fiber.
3. The gas turbine engine case assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the main bore includes a first end open to a sensed object with the inner holder disposed at the first end.
4. The gas turbine engine case assembly as recited in claim 3 , wherein the main bore includes a lip at the first end for holding the inner holder within the bore.
5. The gas turbine engine case assembly as recited in claim 4 , including a lens received within the main bore at the first end.
6. The gas turbine engine case assembly as recited in claim 5 , including a lens holder receiving the lens and fit within the main bore, the lens holder having a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than that of the outer holder.
7. The gas turbine engine case assembly as recited in claim 1 , the at least one probe assembly includes a probe housing supporting the outer holder and the case includes openings for receiving the probe housing.
8. A gas turbine engine case assembly comprising:
a case about a rotational axis of a gas turbine engine; and
at least one probe assembly supported within the case with the at least one probe assembly including;
a sensor member;
an outer holder including a main bore for the sensor member, the outer holder including a first coefficient of thermal expansion: and
an inner holder including a sensor bore receiving the sensor member, wherein the sensor bore includes a relief expanding radially outward, the inner holder disposed within the main bore, wherein the inner holder includes a second coefficient of thermal expansion greater than the first coefficient of thermal expansion.