Thermocouple probe
A thermocouple probe 10 suitable for use in a gas turbine engine comprises a thermocouple element 12 which is coaxially arranged inside a protective sheath 16. The thermocouple element 12 is resiliently supported by a helical member 18 which insulates the element 12 from deleterious vibrations induced in the sheath 16. In use, the thermocouple probe 10 projects through an aperture 30 in the casing 32 of a gas chamber 34. Vibrations in the probe 10 are further reduced by ensuring that the longitudinal axis AA of the probe is angularly offset from the central axis BB of the aperture 30, such that the outer periphery of the sheath 16 is in contact with the inner periphery of the aperture 30 in two diametrically opposite and axially offset locations.
Latest Solartron Group Limited Patents:
Claims
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the angular offset is such that the longitudinal axis of said sensing probe and the two points of contact between the outer surface of said rigid cylindrical body and the inner periphery of said aperture are contained in a plane which is inclined at an angle to a principal direction of flow of fluid through said chamber and which is a non-preferred plane of vibration for said sensing probe.
3. A method according to claim 2 wherein said angle between said plane and said principal direction of flow of fluid is 45.degree..
4. A method according to claim 2 or 3 wherein said sensing probe is positioned such that at least a component of any force exerted thereon by the fluid flowing through said chamber increases the contact pressure exerted by said rigid cylindrical body on the inner periphery of said aperture.
6. An assemblage according to claim 5 wherein the central axis of said aperture is substantially perpendicular to the inner and outer surfaces of the casing of said chamber adjacent said aperture.
7. An assemblage according to claim 6 Wherein the normal to the mating face of the flange is inclined at an angle to the longitudinal axis of said sensing probe.
8. An assemblage according to claim 6 wherein the mating face of the flange has a stud-like protrusion, said stud-like protrusion being radially offset from the longitudinal axis of said sensing probe.
| 3802926 | April 1974 | Blencowe |
| 3845706 | November 1974 | Strimple et al. |
| 3970481 | July 20, 1976 | Stroik |
| 4001045 | January 4, 1977 | Smith |
| 4244221 | January 13, 1981 | Scott |
| 4467134 | August 21, 1984 | Pustell |
| 4999330 | March 12, 1991 | Pustell |
| 5141335 | August 25, 1992 | Wannamaker et al. |
| 5146796 | September 15, 1992 | Mailliet et al. |
| 0 299 703 | January 1989 | EPX |
| 0413198 | February 1991 | EPX |
| 2 320 528 | March 1977 | FRX |
| 2 621 120 | March 1989 | FRX |
| 0008175 | December 1879 | DEX |
| 0 969 571 | June 1958 | DEX |
| 40 14 502 | May 1990 | DEX |
| 0 147 622 | September 1983 | JPX |
| 0001510 | 1883 | GBX |
| 0 734 702 | August 1955 | GBX |
| 1 077 876 | August 1967 | GBX |
| 1 386 837 | June 1972 | GBX |
Type: Grant
Filed: Feb 17, 1998
Date of Patent: Aug 31, 1999
Assignee: Solartron Group Limited (Farnborough)
Inventors: James Wolryche Stansfeld (Beech), Eric Metcalf (Ropley)
Primary Examiner: Christopher W. Fulton
Attorney: George W. Neuner
Application Number: 9/24,743
International Classification: G01K 114;
