Oil debris monitor with sequential coil system and associated algorithms for particle confirmation
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorGregory S. Hagen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A debris monitoring system has a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicating a presence of a metallic particle in a lubrication system. A second sensor is configured to generate a second signal indicating the presence of a metallic particle in the lubrication system. A signal processor is configured to determine a presence of a metallic particle in a fluid passage based on a comparison of at least the first signal and the second signal; the second signal being used to verify accuracy of the first signal. A gas turbine engine and a method for monitoring a fluid passage for debris are also disclosed.
Claims20
A debris monitoring system comprising:
- a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicating a presence of a metallic particle in an oil fluid passage of a lubrication system on a gas turbine engine as the metallic particle passes the first sensor;
- a second sensor configured to generate a second signal indicating the presence of the metallic particle in the oil fluid passage as the metallic particle passes the second sensor, the first and second sensors are arranged in the oil fluid passage;
- and
- a signal processor configured to determine whether the metallic particle is present in the oil fluid passage based on a comparison of at least the first signal and the second signal;
- the second signal being used to verify accuracy of the first signal.
A gas turbine engine comprising:
- a compressor;
- a combustor;
- a turbine;
- a lubrication system having an oil fluid passage;
- and
- a debris monitoring system comprising:
- a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicating a presence of a metallic particle in the oil fluid passage as the metallic particle passes the first sensor;
- a second sensor configured to generate a second signal indicating the presence of the metallic particle in the oil fluid passage as the metallic particle passes the second sensor, the first and second sensors are arranged in the oil fluid passage;
- and
- a signal processor configured to determine whether the metallic particle is present in the oil fluid passage based on a comparison of at least the first signal and the second signal;
- the second signal being used to verify accuracy of the first signal.
A method for monitoring an oil fluid passage for debris, comprising:
- receiving a first signal from a first sensor arranged in the oil fluid passage indicating a presence of a metallic particle in the oil fluid passage of a lubrication system on a gas turbine engine as the metallic particle passes the first sensor;
- checking for a second signal from a second sensor arranged within the oil fluid passage indicating the presence of the metallic particle, the second sensor configured to generate the second signal indicating the presence of the metallic particle in the oil fluid passage as the metallic particle passes the second sensor;
- and
- if the second signal exists, using the second signal to verify an accuracy of the first signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.