IP Library Granted Patent US 11,952,907
Granted Patent B2
US 11,952,907 · App. 17/655,202 · Granted Apr 9, 2024

Systems and methods for sensors on only part of circumferential interior surface of turbomachine casing

Inventors: Kurt Kramer Schleif (Greenville, SC); Andrew David Ellis (Greenville, SC); Michael Allen Ball (Greer, SC)
Assignee: GE Infrastructure Technology LLC
F01D25/24F05D2220/30F05D2240/14F05D2240/90
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,952,907
App. No.
17/655,202
Granted
Apr 9, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A sensor system for a turbomachine having an axis is disclosed. The sensor system includes a mounting member including a body configured to be mounted to only a circumferential portion of a circumferential interior surface of a casing of the turbomachine. A plurality of sensors are coupled to the mounting member and configured to measure an operational parameter of the turbomachine.

Claims (30)

1. A mounting member for a plurality of sensors for a turbomachine having an axis, the mounting member comprising:

a body configured to mount to only a circumferential portion along a circumferential interior surface of a casing of the turbomachine; and

a plurality of openings extending through a radially inner surface of the body, each of the plurality of openings configured to position a sensor of the plurality of sensors such that each sensor faces radially inward relative to the axis, each sensor extending only partially through the body; and

a plurality of communications leads within a passage extending longitudinally through the body, each communications lead extending circumferentially along the circumferential interior surface of the casing and operatively connecting to at least one of the plurality of sensors.

2. The mounting member of claim 1 , wherein the body has a radius of curvature matching the circumferential portion of the circumferential interior surface of the casing of the turbomachine.

3. The mounting member of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sensors are circumferentially spaced no more than 5 degrees apart on the body.

4. The mounting member of claim 1 , wherein the body has a cross-section configured to mate with a complementary cross-section of an only partially circumferentially extending slot in the circumferential interior surface of the casing, wherein the cross-section of the body and the complementary cross-section of the only partially circumferentially extending slot radially fix the body relative to the circumferential interior surface.

5. The mounting member of claim 4 , wherein the complementary cross-section allows circumferential insertion of the body into the only partially circumferentially extending slot.

6. The mounting member of claim 1 , wherein the circumferential portion extends no more than 10° along the circumferential interior surface.

7. A sensor system for a turbomachine having an axis, the sensor system comprising:

a mounting member including a body configured to be mounted to only a circumferential portion of a circumferential interior surface of a casing of the turbomachine;

a plurality of sensors coupled to the mounting member and configured to measure an operational parameter of the turbomachine, each sensor extending only partially through the body; and

a plurality of communications leads within a passage extending longitudinally through the body, each communications lead extending circumferentially along the circumferential interior surface of the casing and operatively connecting to at least one of the plurality of sensors.

8. The sensor system of claim 7 , wherein the mounting member includes a plurality of openings extending through a radially inner surface of the body, each of the plurality of openings configured to position a sensor of the plurality of sensors such that each sensor faces radially inward relative to the axis.

9. The sensor system of claim 7 , wherein the mounting member mounts in an only partially circumferentially extending slot in the circumferential interior surface of the casing, wherein the slot extends only partially in a radial direction between the circumferential interior surface and an exterior surface of the casing.

10. The sensor system of claim 9 , wherein the body and the only partially circumferentially extending slot include a complementary cross-section that prevents radial removal of the body from the only partially circumferentially extending slot.

11. The sensor system of claim 7 , wherein the body has a radius of curvature matching the circumferential portion of the circumferential interior surface of the casing of the turbomachine.

12. The sensor system of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of sensors are circumferentially spaced no more than 5 degrees apart on the body.

13. The sensor system of claim 7 , wherein the body has a cross-section configured to mate with a complementary cross-section of an only partially circumferentially extending slot in the circumferential interior surface of the casing, wherein the cross-section of the body and the complementary cross-section of the only partially circumferentially extending slot radially fix the body relative to the circumferential interior surface.

14. The sensor system of claim 7 , wherein the circumferential portion extends no more than 10° along the circumferential interior surface.

15. A casing for a turbomachine having an axis, the casing comprising:

a casing body including a circumferential interior surface and an exterior surface; and

a sensor system for the turbomachine, the sensor system including:

a mounting member including a body configured to be mounted to only a circumferential portion of the circumferential interior surface of the casing body of the turbomachine, and

a plurality of sensors coupled to the mounting member and configured to measure an operational parameter of the turbomachine, each sensor extending only partially through the body; and

a plurality of communications leads within a passage extending longitudinally through the body, each communications lead extending circumferentially along the circumferential interior surface of the casing body and operatively connecting to at least one of the plurality of sensors.

16. The casing of claim 15 , wherein the mounting member includes a plurality of openings extending through a radially inner surface of the body, each of the plurality of openings configured to position a sensor of the plurality of sensors such that each sensor faces radially inward relative to the axis.

17. The casing of claim 15 , wherein the mounting member mounts in an only partially circumferentially extending slot in the circumferential interior surface of the casing, wherein the slot extends only partially in a radial direction between the circumferential interior surface and an exterior surface of the casing.

18. The casing of claim 17 , wherein the body and the only partially circumferentially extending slot include a complementary cross-section that prevents radial removal of the body from the only partially circumferentially extending slot.

19. The casing of claim 15 , the plurality of sensors are circumferentially spaced no more than 5 degrees apart on the body.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 17, 2023
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
To: GE INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGY LLC
Reel/Frame 065727/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 27, 2022
From: SCHLEIF, KURT KRAMER; ELLIS, ANDREW DAVID; BALL, MICHAEL ALLEN
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Reel/Frame 059749/0037 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation In Part 16437943 · Jun 11, 2019
Related Publication 20220205367A1 · Jun 30, 2022