Magnetic chip detector and method of use
AssigneePratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
InventorAntwan SHENOUDA
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A gas turbine engine can have a magnetic chip detector system with a first conductor member and a second conductor member both exposed to a lubricant flow path of the gas turbine engine, at least a first one of the conductor members including an electromagnet including a coil wrapped around a ferromagnetic core. As part of an engine shutdown procedure, an intrinsic magnetic field strength within the ferromagnetic core can be increased by circulating electrical current in the coil, and the electrical current circulation can then be interrupted for the magnetic field to remain active during engine shutdown.
Claims20
A method of operating a magnetic chip detector system integrated within a gas turbine engine, the magnetic chip detector system having a first conductor member and a second conductor member both exposed to a liquid flow path of the gas turbine engine, at least a first one of the conductor members including an electromagnet including a coil wrapped around a ferromagnetic core, the method comprising:
- performing an engine shutdown procedure including
- increasing an intrinsic magnetic field strength within the ferromagnetic core including circulating electrical current in the coil;
- and
- interrupting the electrical current circulation in the coil for an engine shut-down period of time during which the intrinsic magnetic field strength remains in the ferromagnetic core.
A method of operating a magnetic chip detector system having a first conductor member and a second conductor member both exposed to a liquid flow path and separated from one another by gap, each one of the conductor members having a magnetic field oriented into the liquid flow path, at least a first one of the conductor members including an electromagnet including a coil wrapped around a ferromagnetic core in a manner for the corresponding magnetic field to be actively modifiable via control of electrical current in the coil;
- an electrical energy source configured to induce a current circulation across the gap;
- and a meter configured to measure a response of the gap to the induced current circulation, the method comprising:
- increasing an intrinsic magnetic field strength within the ferromagnetic core including circulating electrical current in the coil;
- and
- interrupting the electrical current circulation in the coil for a period of time during which the intrinsic magnetic field strength remains in the ferromagnetic core.
A gas turbine engine comprising a magnetic chip detector system having a first conductor member and a second conductor member both exposed to a liquid flow path and separated from one another by gap, each one of the conductor members having a magnetic field oriented into the liquid flow path, at least a first one of said conductor members having an electromagnet including a coil wrapped around a ferromagnetic core;
- an electrical energy source configured to induce a current circulation across the gap;
- a meter configured to measure a response of the gap to the induced current circulation, and a capacitor operatively connected to the coil in a manner to charge as electrical energy is supplied to the coil, and to discharge in a manner to generate a current pulse into the coil at engine shutdown.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.