Engine status detection with external microphone
First Claim
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1. A method of monitoring at least one engine condition of a gas turbine engine comprising:
- mounting a microphone within audible range of a region of the gas turbine engine to be monitored, the microphone being spaced apart from said region;
receiving a signal produced by the microphone in response to sound frequencies generated by fluid flow through the gas turbine engine during operation thereof, analyzing the signal to identify at least one characteristic representative of the engine condition; and
determining the engine condition based principally on the signal produced by the microphone.
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Abstract
A method of detecting at least one engine condition of a gas turbine engine using a microphone disposed outside a region of the gas turbine engine to be monitored. The method includes receiving a signal produced by the microphone in response to audible frequencies, analyzing the signal to determine at least one signal characteristic representative of the engine condition, and detecting the engine condition based on the signal produced by the microphone.
31 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring at least one engine condition of a gas turbine engine comprising:
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mounting a microphone within audible range of a region of the gas turbine engine to be monitored, the microphone being spaced apart from said region;
receiving a signal produced by the microphone in response to sound frequencies generated by fluid flow through the gas turbine engine during operation thereof, analyzing the signal to identify at least one characteristic representative of the engine condition; and
determining the engine condition based principally on the signal produced by the microphone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of detecting surge of a compressor in a gas turbine engine comprising:
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mounting a microphone in spaced apart relation with a main gas flow path of the compressor, within audible range thereof;
receiving a signal produced by the microphone in response to audible frequencies generated by fluid flow through the compressor during operation of the gas turbine engine;
analyzing the signal to determine at least one characteristic representative of compressor surge; and
detecting compressor surge based on said signal produced by said microphone. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A non-intrusive method of monitoring aerodynamic characteristics of at least one aerodynamic component in a gas turbine engine, the method comprising:
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using a microphone spaced apart from a region of the gas turbine engine to be monitored and within audible range of the aerodynamic component therewithin, to produce an electrical output in response to audible frequencies corresponding to pressure pulsations in gas flowing past the aerodynamic component during operation of the gas turbine engine, the audible frequencies defining a noise signature of the aerodynamic component;
conducting a time-based frequency analysis of the electrical output to monitor changes in the noise signature; and
detecting an abnormal aerodynamic characteristic based on the electrical output produced by the microphone. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A system for detecting at least one engine status characteristic of a gas turbine engine comprising:
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a microphone spaced apart from a region of the gas turbine engine to be monitored; and
a signal processor operable to receive an electrical signal produced by the microphone in response to audible frequencies defining a noise signature which corresponds to pressure pulsations in fluid flowing through the gas turbine engine during operation thereof, the signal processor being operable to analyze the electrical signal to detect said engine status characteristic based principally on the noise signature representative of said engine status characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification