Multi-mode sensor

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018340807-A1
Application number	US-201615778399-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 23, 2016
Priority date	Nov 23, 2015
Publication date	Nov 29, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

A multi-mode sensor includes an inductive sensor module configured to measure a first physical quantity based on magnetic induction. The inductive sensor module includes a coil wound around a coil axis. A non-inductive sensor module is provided to measure a second physical quantity using a non-inductive sensing mode. A portion of the non-inductive sensor module is radially inward of a portion of the coil relative to the coil axis.

First claim

1 . A multi-mode sensor, comprising:
an inductive sensor module configured to measure a first physical quantity based on magnetic induction, the inductive sensor module comprising a coil wound around a coil axis; and a non-inductive sensor module configured to measure a second physical quantity using a non-inductive sensing mode, wherein: a portion of the non-inductive sensor module is radially inward of a portion of the coil relative to the coil axis.

2 . The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the portion of the non-inductive sensor that is radially inward of the portion of the coil overlaps when viewed in a radial direction with the portion of the coil.

3 . The sensor of claim 1 , wherein all of the portion of the non-inductive sensor module that is radially inward of the portion of the coil is non-metallic.

4 . The sensor of claim 1 , wherein:
the portion of the non-inductive sensor that is radially inward of the portion of the coil overlaps when viewed in a radial direction with the portion of the coil; and all of the overlapping region of the portion of the non-inductive sensor is non-metallic.

5 . The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the non-inductive sensor module is configured to perform an optical measurement.

6 . The sensor of claim 5 , wherein the non-inductive sensor module comprises a probe unit and an optical interrogation system configured to exchange electromagnetic radiation with the probe unit in order to interrogate a state of the probe unit that is dependent on the second physical quantity.

7 . The sensor of claim 6 , wherein the portion of the non-inductive sensor module that is radially inward of the portion of the coil comprises the probe unit.

8 . The sensor of claim 6 , where the second physical quantity comprises pressure and the probe unit is configured to undergo a deformation or displacement in response to pressure adjacent to the sensor.

9 . The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the second physical quantity comprises pressure.

10 . The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the first physical quantity comprises an amount of target object material within a sensing range of the sensor.

11 . A turbo-machine assembly comprising:
a shaft or disc configured to rotate; and the sensor of claim 1 configured to measure the first and second physical quantities in a region adjacent to a surface of the shaft or disc during rotation of the shaft or disc.

12 . The assembly of claim 11 , wherein the first physical quantity comprises a clearance between a reference surface and the surface of the shaft or disc.

13 . A turbo-machine assembly, comprising:
a casing; a fan or turbine including a plurality of blades, mounted rotatably within the casing; and the sensor of claim 1 configured to measure the first and second physical quantities in a region between a radially inner surface of the casing and the blades and/or between the radially inner surface of the casing and a radially outer surface of the fan or turbine in between the blades.

14 . The assembly of claim 13 , wherein the sensor is mounted into the radially inner surface of the casing.

15 . The assembly of claim 13 , wherein the first physical quantity comprises one or more of the following: a clearance between one or more of the blades and the radially inner surface of the casing, a shape of one or more of the blades, relative positions of tips of two or more of the blades with respect to each other.

16 . The assembly of claim 13 , wherein the second physical quantity comprises a pressure in the region between the radially inner surface of the casing and the blades and/or between the radially inner surface of the casing and the radially outer surface of the fan or turbine in between the blades.

17 . (canceled)

Assignees

• Univ Oxford Innovation Ltd

Inventors

• Chana Kamaljit Singh

Classifications

• G01L9/0076

  using photoelectric means · CPC title

• G01D21/02 Primary

  Measuring two or more variables by means not covered by a single other subclass · CPC title

• G01D5/202

  by movable a non-ferromagnetic conductive element (G01D5/2033 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G01B7/023

  for measuring distance between sensor and object (G01B7/082 and G01B7/102 take precedence) · CPC title

• G01L9/0079

  with Fabry-Perot arrangements · CPC title