Measuring and testing – Probe or probe mounting
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-21
2001-01-09
Noland, Thomas P. (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
Probe or probe mounting
C073S001880, C702S087000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170345
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS:
Not Applicable.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not Applicable
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an apparatus for precisely aiming a measuring probe or a sensor head onto a location to be sensed or monitored in a test pipe with due regard for a fluid flow direction flowing through the test pipe.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
For the purpose of testing individual components of a turbine engine, for example of a compressor, a turbine, or a combustion chamber, measuring probes or flow measuring probes are used. In this context, the measuring probes may be pressure, temperature, anemometer, or direction measuring probes, among others. The measurement is carried out in a pressurized air or hot gas flow, either directly on the engine or, for example on a cylinder pipe-type test specimen, by means of which existing process conditions or parameters, or process conditions or parameters to be varied, are simulated on a test stand.
In this context, the measuring probes identified as examples often require sensors or measuring feelers, of which several may be arranged with a spacing next to one another in a common plane and angled perpendicularly to the probe axis, for example. The arrangement of at least one sensor or measuring feeler on an arm or within a pipe section of the probe, cantilevered perpendicularly from the probe axis, is also possible, for example. In this context it is difficult to adjust such a probe exactly and quickly to the local measuring position, especially in the context of a zero point compensation relative to the lengthwise axis of the test pipe or housing. Especially the housing must be adjusted so that a measuring sensor or head that is angled perpendicularly from the probe axis also coincides centrally exactly with the lengthwise axis of the test body or housing, and in fact in such a manner that it extends exactly parallel to this lengthwise axis with a radial spacing in the measuring position.
An arrangement has been examined, in which a mounting support for a flow measuring probe is fixable on the outer circumference of a cylindrical test pipe. The measuring probe is arranged on the mounting support so as to be slidable in the direction of its lengthwise axis and rotatable about the lengthwise axis so as to be tunably adjustable to the measuring location. The examined case provides a mechanical-optical zero point alignment. In this context, a light source is connected externally and circumferentially rotatably with an orienting head of the measuring probe. A support stand with an outer plan parallel plate axially spaced from the light source on the light head is arranged on the outer circumference of the test pipe by means of a prism. The correct probe position (null point adjustment) is to be determined by repeated repositioning of the light source (parallax method) relative to three marks of the planar plate.
Besides time consuming and complicated positioning and adjusting processes, the possibility of errors is particularly large in connection with relatively large pipe radii, and is predominantly based on the manual handleability. In this context particular reference is made to the setting angle error in the path of the orienting heading between the light source or probe and the planar plate or support stand, based on respective circumferential relative mounting measurement errors of the probe and of the support stand relative to the common lengthwise axis of the test body.
In repositioning devices that have already been proposed, the repositioning accuracy suffers as a result of the use of toothed gear drives or toothed belts. Furthermore, an operation that is, for example, thermally protected from the test chamber or room is practically impossible. In other words, test runs must often be interrupted as a result of frequently required manual operations.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The invention has for its object to propose an apparatus with which a flow measuring probe of the described type can be quickly and exactly positioned to the required measuring position, with a small structural and equipping effort and expense.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided an apparatus for positioning a measuring probe (
3
,
10
) having a probe axis (A), relative to a measuring location and relative to a fluid flow direction (F) in a fluid flow testing enclosure (
1
) having an enclosure axis (L), said apparatus comprising:
(a) a positioning device (
2
) having a positioning axis extending coaxially in axial alignment with said probe axis (A), said positioning device comprising servomotor means for positioning said measuring probe (
3
,
10
) by rotating said probe around said probe axis (A) and by displacing said measuring probe (
3
,
10
) in a direction (T) of said probe axis (A),
(b) a control system including an electronic computer (
27
) and a control device (
21
) communicating with said electronic computer (
27
) and with said servomotor means for controlling said positioning of said measuring probe,
(c) an adjusting device (
4
) rigidly coupled to said measuring probe (
3
,
10
) for rotation with said measuring probe, said adjusting device (
4
) comprising a pendulum (
6
) rotatably supported on a pendulum journal axis (
8
) for defining a zero position (N) for said measuring probe (
3
,
10
) when said pendulum (
6
) is in a rest position,
(d) pendulum limits (G
1
, G
2
) defined in said adjusting device (
4
) in such positions that said zero position (N, M) is located centrally between said pendulum limits (G
1
, G
2
),
(e) means (
9
,
9
′) for generating signals in response to pendulum excursions reaching said pendulum limits (G
1
, G
2
) and for providing respective limit position signals to said electronic computer (
27
), and wherein
(f) said electronic computer (
27
) generates control signals in response to said limit position signals by mathematically dividing a pendulum angular excursion range defined by said limit position signals between said pendulum limits (G
1
, G
2
), into two halves for controlling said servomotor means with said control signals until a line (M) through a center of gravity (P) of said pendulum (
6
) coincides with said zero position (N), whereby said measuring probe (
3
,
10
) is in a defined position relative to said enclosure axis (L).
The invention makes it possible to achieve a fully automatic probe repositioning including a most simply achievable zero adjustment (mechanical zero).
According to one aspect of the invention, it is possible to completely operate the apparatus unhindered by the prevailing test chamber atmosphere, in the scope of the control device that is installed in the operating room and that communicates with the computer, after the corresponding reference cables have been connected with the positioning device for the probe.
By using a light beam barrier, especially embodied as a light coupler, the limit positions or pendulum limit positions used for the probe zero adjustment can be comparatively simply and exactly represented or converted into the necessary logic signals. For the latter purpose, essential components or building blocks of is a circuit can be integrated into the housing of :he adjusting device. A simple reference cable connection - adjusting device, circuit, positioning device or probe - makes the zero adjustment operational.
The adjusting device itself is constructed in a simple and maintenance-friendly manner, and the integrated building blocks of the circuit are easily accessible and moreover are shieldable in a manner that is tightly closed or sealed against the surroundings by means of the releasable housing cover.
An optimal environmentally tight as well as maintenance friendly construction of the positioning device results from the use of a plurality of modular housings combined with a housing construction by means of which motor-driven positionings that are simultaneous or separate from one another are comparatively simply integrated into the devic
Fasse W. F.
Fasse W. G.
MTU Motoren-und Turbinen-Union Muenchen GmbH
Noland Thomas P.
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