EP3105560A1

EP3105560A1 - Device for attaching a sensor to a part

Info

Publication number: EP3105560A1
Application number: EP15707707.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Olivier Pierre Descubes; Thomas DROUIN; Emilie DURRBACH; José-Alexandre PINA-ANDRADE
Original assignee: Safran Helicopter Engines SAS
Current assignee: Safran Helicopter Engines SAS
Priority date: 2014-02-11
Filing date: 2015-02-06
Publication date: 2016-12-21
Also published as: KR20160122799A; JP2017507331A; CA2939037A1; RU2016136179A; WO2015121570A1; US20160356654A1; FR3017457A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a device (100) for attaching at least one sensor, in particular a thermocouple device, to a part, comprising a first attachment portion (10) provided with means (14) for attachment to the part and a second attachment portion provided with an opening for receiving the sensor (90). According to the invention, the device further comprises an elastically deformable portion (20) linking the first and second attachment portions, and the elastically deformable portion (20) is configured such that it shifts from a stable position to an unstable position when the first attachment portion (10) is attached to a part, thus urging the second attachment portion against the part.

Description

DEVICE FOR FIXING A SENSOR ON A PIECE

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a device for fixing at least one sensor on a part.

The fixing device according to the invention is particularly suitable for fixing a thermocouple, in particular on a turbine casing in a turbomachine. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In some cases, it is necessary to place a measurement sensor on a part in order to measure the local properties of this part or in the immediate vicinity of this part, in particular during the operation of the device comprising this part. For example, this sensor is a thermocouple that measures the temperature of a portion of the room on which it is placed.

In order to make a correct measurement, it is necessary to maintain the sensor in a desired position relative to the workpiece portion.

Today, there is known a fixing device comprising a plate fixed to the workpiece by a single fixing screw and provided, in the vicinity of the screw, with a receiving orifice for the sensor, the sensor being generally welded to the plate . With such a fastening device, the tension applied on the screw by the tightening torque may cause the plate to detach, allowing air leakage between the part and the plate and thus a local modification of the temperature on the part and in the vicinity of this one.

Another known fastening device comprises a plate fixed to the workpiece by two fixing screws, the sensor itself being fixed to the plate, between these two screws. This fixing device, more reliable, however, has a larger footprint than that described above, and is therefore difficult to adapt to existing structures, either the room is insufficient to allow its integration, or the room must be modified beforehand to receive the device. OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a device that allows to fix a sensor on a part reliably, overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks.

This objective is achieved with a device for attaching at least one sensor, in particular a thermocouple, to a workpiece, comprising a first attachment part provided with attachment means to the workpiece and a second attachment part provided with a delivery hole. receiving the sensor, the device being characterized in that it further comprises an elastically deformable portion connecting the first and the second fixing portion, the elastically deformable portion being configured so that it passes from a stable position to a position unstable when the first attachment portion is attached to a workpiece, thereby biasing the second attachment portion against the workpiece.

The elastically deformable portion of the device according to the invention is adapted to move from a stable position to an unstable position, by bending. It is understood that the relative positioning of the first and second fixing portion is different depending on whether the elastically deformable portion is in its stable position or in its unstable position.

When in its unstable position, the elastically deformable portion constantly tends to resume its stable position, that is to say to bring the first and second part in their relative position at rest. If the first fixing part is fixed - because fixed to the part - the force tending to return the elastic part in its stable position is applied to the second fixing part, remained free. The second fixing portion being in abutment against the workpiece, this force is maintained in the form of a permanent and relatively homogeneous contact pressure around the sensor, between the second fixing portion and the workpiece.

By deformation of the elastic portion during assembly on the workpiece, the fixing device is thus subjected to a preload which prevents the detachment of the second fixing portion relative to the workpiece. It is thus possible to measure with the sensor, while avoiding leaks at the interface between the sensor and the surface to which it is attached. In addition, thanks to the aforementioned provisions, the device according to the invention can be implemented with a single fastening screw, which makes it possible to limit its bulk, and makes it easy to integrate into existing structures.

Finally, as the fixing device according to the invention has a certain elasticity, it can be used on surfaces with significant local deformations, for example on turbomachine housing surfaces with high deformations in use.

In one example, the elastically deformable portion comprises at least one spring blade.

In one example, the elastically deformable portion comprises a return extending from a portion of the leaf spring spaced from the first attachment portion (for example, but not limited to, its end farthest from the first attachment portion), in direction of said first fixing portion, and the second fixing portion is integral with the return.

In one example, the elastically deformable portion comprises two spring blades spaced apart from each other.

In this case, the return advantageously extends between the two spring blades.

According to an example, the second fixing portion comprises a substantially flat secondary bearing surface adapted to come into contact with the workpiece.

Advantageously, the secondary bearing surface surrounds the sensor once it is mounted in the receiving orifice, whereby a continuous contact pressure zone can be obtained around the sensor after mounting on the workpiece.

According to an example, the first fixing portion also comprises a substantially flat primary bearing surface adapted to come into contact with the workpiece.

According to an advantageous arrangement, the primary and secondary bearing surfaces are substantially parallel when the elastically deformable portion is in its stable position.

According to one example, when the elastically deformable portion is in its stable position, the secondary bearing surface is spaced from the primary bearing surface in a direction substantially orthogonal to the primary bearing surface, away from said first attachment portion. It is thus ensured that the elastically deformable portion deforms when the device is fixed on a substantially flat support surface of a part.

In one example, the second fixing portion comprises a sensor receiving ring fixed to the elastically deformable portion, and the secondary bearing surface is a surface of said ring.

The receiving ring is for example a sealing ring for sealing around the sensor when the second fixing portion is pressed against the workpiece.

According to one example, the first fixing portion and the elastically deformable portion form a one-piece assembly, in particular obtained by cutting a sheet.

The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a fixing device as defined above, and a sensor, in particular a thermocouple, secured to the second fixing portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and its advantages will appear better on reading the detailed description which follows, of an embodiment shown by way of non-limiting example. The description refers to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, from above, of a fixing device according to a first embodiment of the invention, in the initial state,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, from above, of the device of FIG. 1, cut along its plane of symmetry P,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, from below, of the device of FIG. 1,

FIGS. 4 and 5 show steps of fixing a sensor to a workpiece using a device as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the device being shown in section along II-II of FIG. figure 1,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view, from above, of a fixing device according to a second embodiment of the invention, in the initial state, FIG. 7 is a perspective view, from below, of the device of FIG. 6, cut along its plane of symmetry P,

FIGS. 8 and 9 show steps of fixing a sensor on a workpiece using a device as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the device being shown in section along II-II of FIG. figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

Figures 4 and 5 show schematically, in section, a portion 80 of a part on which it is desired to fix a sensor 90. In the illustrated example, this portion 80 is a plate, of thickness e.

For example, the part is a turbine casing, and the property that it is desired to measure using the sensor 90 is the temperature inside said turbine. The sensor used is a thermocouple whose measuring end 90a, where the measurement is made, must be positioned at the desired location for this measurement, in other words inside the turbine.

Advantageously, the thermocouple 90 is fixed so as to pass through the workpiece 80 through an orifice 84 formed in said workpiece 80, its measurement end 90a protruding from the inner side of the workpiece 80 and its opposite end 90b, generally connected to workpiece means. result reading (not shown), being disposed on the outer side of the workpiece 80.

Figures 1 to 3 illustrate in more detail a device 100 according to the invention can be used for fixing a sensor 90 as described above, on a part 80.

The fixing device 100 here comprises a first fixing portion 10 provided with means for fixing the device to the workpiece 80, a second fixing portion 40 provided with a receiving orifice of the sensor 90, and an elastically deformable portion 20 connecting the first and the second fixing part.

In Figures 1 to 3, the elastically deformable portion 20 is in a stable position corresponding to a state in which no external force is applied to it.

In the example, the first fixing portion 10 is in the form of a plate 12 delimited by two main surfaces lower 12a and upper 12b extending substantially orthogonally to a transverse direction Z.

The lower surface 12a of the first fixing portion 10 here forms a primary bearing surface 12a intended to bear against the workpiece during assembly of the device.

In the example, the fixing means comprise an attachment orifice 14 passing through the first part from one side and extending in a direction orthogonal to the main surfaces 12a, 12b. As will be described in more detail in the following, the fixing hole 14 is intended to receive a fixing screw 70 for anchoring the device to the workpiece. The illustrated example is however not limiting, and according to variants, the fixing means may comprise a plurality of fixing holes and / or other means for fixing the device to the workpiece.

As will be described hereinafter, the device 100 according to the invention however has the advantage of ensuring a reliable attachment even when it is fixed at a single point (in particular, by a single fixing screw).

To facilitate the understanding of the figures, the primary bearing surface 12a and all the surfaces of the device 100 intended to come opposite the part, are shown slightly grayed.

Note that the fixing device 100 has a symmetry with respect to a plane P shown in FIG.

In the example, the fixing orifice 14 is thus aligned on the plane of symmetry P.

In the following, and unless otherwise stated, a lateral direction Y of the device is thus defined as a direction orthogonal to the transverse direction Z and the plane of symmetry P, and a longitudinal direction X, as a direction orthogonal to the lateral Y and transverse directions. Z.

In the example, the elastically deformable portion 20 comprises two flexible branches 22, 24 forming spring blades extending from the first portion 10.

More particularly, each spring blade 22, 24 is connected to a respective lateral end of the first portion 10. In a plane orthogonal to the transverse direction Z, the two spring blades 22, 24 extend from the first fixing portion 10 in the longitudinal direction X and form the branches of a U, the first part of which constitutes a base.

The two blades 22, 24 are here substantially parallel, separated from one another transversely by a free space 26 of width L1.

It is understood that the spring blades 22, 24 are able to flex so that their end 22b, 24b farthest from the first part moves relative to said first portion 10, in particular by inclining with respect to a plane orthogonal to the transverse direction Z (see Figure 5), thereby causing the elastically deformable portion 20 in an unstable position.

In the example, the elastically deformable portion 20 further comprises a return 32, of width L2 strictly less than L1 and extending here from the respective end 22b, 24b of each leaf spring 22, 24 farthest from the first fixing part 10, in the direction of said first fixing part 10.

The return 32 is thus defined in the free space 26 delimited laterally by the spring blades 22, 24.

In the example, the return 32 is delimited by two plane lower main surfaces 32a and 32b, extending orthogonally to the transverse direction Z, when the elastic portion 20 is in its stable position illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3. Figures 4 and 5, it is understood that the lower surface 32a is intended to be placed opposite the surface 82 of the part 80, after assembly.

In the example, the first part 10, the spring blades 22, 24 and the return 32 are made in one piece. These elements constitute a one-piece assembly that can in particular be obtained by cutting a sheet.

The respective upper surfaces 12b, 32b of the first portion 12 and the return 32 are here substantially coplanar, as are their lower surfaces 12b, 32b.

As illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the return 32 has an opening 34, in which is inserted a receiving ring 36 for the sensor. As illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 4 in particular, the receiving ring 36 protrudes from the bottom surface 32a of the return 32, a distance Dl.

The receiving ring 36 thus comprises a surface 36a (its lower surface), offset from the primary bearing surface 12a in the stable position of the elastically deformable portion 20 illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 and intended to bear against the surface of the workpiece during assembly.

The primary and secondary bearing surfaces 12a, 36a are defined in two parallel planes but not coincidental, offset in the transverse direction Z.

The opening 34 of the return and the ring 36 form here a second fixing portion 40.

In the example, the receiving ring 36 forms a sealing element intended to seal around the sensor after assembly.

The receiving ring 36 is here in the form of a cylindrical sleeve of external profile adapted to cooperate in complementary form with the inner wall of the opening 34 and internal profile configured to receive the sensor 90. The sensor 90 can for example be attached to the receiving ring 36 by welding or shrinking.

The receiving ring 36 comprises, at one of its ends, an external flange 38, engaged in an annular recess 35 of corresponding shape formed at the edge of the opening 34, in the lower surface of the return 32.

In the example, to ensure the aforementioned exceeding, the height of the outer flange 38 is slightly greater than the height of the annular recess 34, heights measured in the transverse direction Z.

The attachment of an assembly comprising a device 100 as described above and a measurement sensor 90 previously fixed on this device 100, will now be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

The part 80 on which the sensor must be fixed is illustrated in FIG. 4. In the example, its support surface 82, intended to receive the device 100, is flat. When the fixing device 100 is approaching the surface 82 of the part 80 (its transverse direction Z being for example substantially orthogonal to said surface 82), the secondary bearing surface 36a abuts against the support surface 82, before that the first part 10 does not come into contact with said surface 82.

When the first portion 10 is still close to the support surface 82, the second portion 40 being held in abutment against this surface, the elastic portion 20 is gradually deformed and leaves its stable position.

The first fixing portion 10 is then fixed on the piece 80 by means of, for example, a screw 70 engaged in the fixing hole 14 and screwed onto the surface 82.

In this position, the restoring force of the elastic portion 20, which tends to bring it back to its stable position, is transferred to the second fixing portion 40. This second portion 40 is then permanently elastically biased towards the piece 80, now a relatively homogeneous contact pressure around the thermocouple, between the secondary bearing surface 36a and the support surface 82 of the part 80, compatible with a contact seal.

Thanks to the relatively homogeneous contact pressure provided around the sensor, the seal between the ring 36 and the piece 80 can be made by simple contact, and the constraints of flatness and surface roughness for the rest of the fixing device, in particular the return 32 and the leaf springs 22, 24 are reduced.

A fixing device 200 according to a second embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9.

In these figures, elements similar or identical to those described in connection with the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as in Figures 1 to 5, incremented by 100.

In this example, in the stable position of the elastically deformable portion 120, the two spring blades 122, 124 are inclined relative to a plane orthogonal to the transverse direction Z of an inclination angle Θ can take any other suitable value. In this case, the preload to which the device 200 is subjected once mounted is due at least in part to the initial inclination of the spring blades 122, 124 and the resulting offset between the return 132 and the first part 110.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, when the fixing device

200 is approached to the surface 182 of the part 180, the return 132 and the receiving ring 140 arrive first in abutment against the support surface 82.

When the first portion 110 is brought closer to the support surface 182, the spring blades 122, 124 are progressively deformed.

With such an arrangement, and as illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, it is no longer necessary for the receiving ring 136 of the sensor to protrude from the bottom surface of the return 132.

One can even imagine that the sensor is directly mounted in the opening 134 of the return 132, the return 132 then forming the second fixing portion 140, its lower surface 132a constituting the secondary bearing surface of the device.

The examples described above are however not limiting.

In other examples of use, in particular, the surface of the part may have one or more recesses. A first support surface portion for receiving the first attachment portion and a second support surface portion for receiving the second attachment portion may be defined in different planes, optionally inclined relative to each other. , or parallel. The fixing device is then arranged accordingly but remains such that, when the first fixing portion is attached to a first support surface portion, the elastically deformable portion passes from a stable position to an unstable position in which the second portion fastener is pressed against the second support surface portion.

Claims

1. Device (100) for fixing at least one sensor (90), in particular a thermocouple, on a part (80), comprising a first fixing part (10) provided with fastening means (14) to the part

(80) and a second fixing portion (40) provided with a sensor receiving orifice (90), the device being characterized in that it further comprises an elastically deformable portion (20) connecting the first and the second fixing part, the elastically deformable part (20) comprising at least one spring blade (22, 24) and being configured so that it passes from a stable position to an unstable position when the first fixing part (10) is secured to a workpiece (80), thereby biasing the second attachment portion (40) against the workpiece (80).

The fastening device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the resiliently deformable portion (20) comprises a return (32) extending from a portion of the spring blade (22, 24) spaced from the first attachment portion (10) in the direction of said first attachment portion (10), and the second attachment portion (40) is integral with said return (32).

3. Fixing device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the elastically deformable portion (20) comprises two spring blades (22, 24) spaced from one another.

4. Fixing device (100) according to claims 2 and 3, wherein the return (32) extends between the two leaf spring (22, 24).

5. Fastening device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second fixing portion (40) comprises a secondary bearing surface (36a) substantially flat, adapted to come into contact with the workpiece (80).

The fastening device (100) according to claim 5, wherein the second attachment portion (40) comprises a sensor receiving ring (36) attached to the resiliently deformable portion, and the secondary seating surface (36a). is a surface of said ring.

The fastening device (100) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein, the first fastening portion (10) has a substantially planar bearing surface (12a) adapted to engage the workpiece (80), and the primary and secondary bearing surfaces are substantially parallel when the elastically deformable portion (20) is in its stable position.

Fastening device (100) according to claim 7, wherein, when the elastically deformable portion (20) is in its stable position, the secondary bearing surface (36a) is spaced from the primary bearing surface (12a). ) in a direction substantially orthogonal to the primary bearing surface (12a), away from said first attachment portion (10).

9. An assembly comprising a fixing device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and a sensor (90) integral with the second fixing portion.