# US 2008/0187436 A1 · Instrument port seal for rf measurement > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0187436 A1 - Document ID: US20080187436A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/621,671 - Filed: 2007-01-10 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2007-01-10 - Assignees: United Technologies Corporation - Inventors: John A. Leogrande; Peter L. Jalbert - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080187436A1 ## CPC - F01D 11/025: {Seal clearance control; Floating assembly; Adaptation means to differential thermal dilatations} - F01D 17/02: Arrangement of sensing elements - F01D 17/20: Devices dealing with sensing elements or final actuators or transmitting means between them, e.g. power-assisted (sensing elements alone F01D17/02; final actuators alone F01D17/10) - F01D 21/003: {Arrangements for testing or measuring (for measuring vibrations G01H)} - F05D 2250/30: Arrangement of components - Y10T 29/4932: Turbomachine making - F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D) - F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A turbine engine includes a target structure, for example, a rotating turbine blade. A probe is arranged near the target structure for communicating a detection frequency relative to the target structure for gathering information such as tip clearance. A housing is arranged adjacent to the target structure. In one example, the housing is a blade outer air seal. The housing includes a structural material that supports a window material. The window material is arranged between the probe and the target structure. The window material is transparent to the detection frequency permitting the detection frequency to pass through the window to the target structure for measurement of its position relative to the housing. The window material prevents probe contamination and provides a seal between the cooling path and turbine gas flow path. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A turbine engine comprising: a target structure; a probe near the target structure for communicating a detection frequency relative to the target structure to gather information relating to the target structure; and a housing adjacent to the target structure, the housing including a structural material supporting a window material, the window material arranged between the probe and target structure and adapted to be transparent to the detection frequency. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The turbine engine according to claim 1, wherein the target structure is a turbine blade, and the housing is a blade outer air seal. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The turbine engine according to claim 2, wherein the probe is supported by the blade outer air seal. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The turbine engine according to claim 3, wherein the blade outer airseal includes a channel ring providing a recess, the probe having an end received in the recess. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The turbine engine according to claim 1, wherein the window material is secured to the structural material using a brazed material to provide a unitary structure ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The turbine engine according to claim 5, wherein the window material is constructed from a metalized alumina. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The turbine engine according to claim 5, wherein the window material is secured to a carrier arranged between the window material and the structure material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The turbine engine according to claim 7, wherein the carrier includes an annular groove arranged on an inner diameter, the window material retained within the annular groove. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The turbine engine according to claim 1, comprising a cooling duct arranged radially outwardly of the housing, the cooling duct carrying a cooling air, the window material blocking fluid communication between the cooling duct and the target structure, the target structure being a turbine blade. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The turbine engine according to claim 1, comprising a frequency generator in communication with the probe, the frequency generator providing the detection frequency, which passes through the window material to gather the information. ### Claim 11 A method of manufacturing a turbine engine comprising the steps of: a) providing a structure with an aperture; b) providing a material that includes at least a portion that is transparent to a detection frequency; c) securing the material within the aperture; and d) arranging a probe near the material for delivering the detection frequency through the material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein step a) includes drilling a hole to provide the aperture. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein step a) includes constructing the housing from a metallic material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein step b) includes supporting a window material in a carrier to provide the material. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein step b) includes brazing the window material to the carrier. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein step b) includes capturing the window material within the carrier. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein step c) includes blocking the aperture with the material to prevent air flow therethrough. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein step d) includes aligning the probe with the portion that is transparent. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method according to claim 18, comprising step e) arranging a frequency generator in communication with the probe to deliver the detection frequency. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, comprising step f) arranging a probe within the housing, the probe aligned with the turbine blades.