10135results about "Engine control" patented technology

A drive shaft for a wind turbine is shaped so as to allow for increased bending of the shaft, while being suitable for transferring torque in a wind turbine system. An example of such a shaping is a drive shaft having a helical rib defined on the surface of the shaft. A wind turbine incorporating such a shaft, and a method of manufacture of such a shaft are also described.

A control method for optimizing or enhancing an operation of a power plant that includes thermal generating units for generating electricity. The power plant may include multiple possible operating modes differentiated by characteristics of operating parameters. The method may include tuning a power plant model so to configure a tuned power plant model. The method may further include simulating proposed operating modes of the power plant with the tuned power plant model. The simulating may include a simulation procedure that includes: defining a second operating period; selecting the proposed operating modes from the possible operating modes; with the tuned power plant model, performing a simulation run for each of the proposed operating modes whereby the operation of the power plant during the second operating period is simulated; and obtaining simulation results from each of the simulation runs.

A redundant fan system for a computer includes two fans installed in series with at least one of the fans having collapsible blades. A fan system of this type reduces the fan inefficiency caused when one fan in a series mounted pair is not operating, either because it is free-wheeling or in a locked rotor condition. When non-operational, the fan blades of the collapsible fan fold inward due to airflow generated by the operational fan over the collapsible blades. The ability of the blades to fold reduces the inefficiency of the operational fan, having less of an effect on fan life. Also, because the flow of air is less restricted, proper airflow can be maintained, thus preventing overheating of the computer.

A support shaft provides lubrication to a journal bearing during windmilling operation of a gear set. A primary oil pump provides oil from an oil supply during driven operation of the fan, and a secondary oil pump provides oil from an internal sump during windmilling operation of the fan. During driven operation of the fan, oil is pumped with the primary oil pump through a primary oil flow path to an outer surface of the support shaft. During windmilling fan operation, oil is pumped from an internal sump with a secondary oil pump through the secondary oil flow path. The secondary oil flow path has a smaller flow capacity, and the secondary oil pump is a smaller capacity pump.

A method and apparatus for controllable distribution of power from a turbine of a gas turbine engine between two rotatable loads of the gas turbine engine, comprises transferring a shaft power of the turbine to the respective rotatable loads using differential gearing operatively coupled with the turbine and the rotatable loads, respectively; and controlling the power transfer using machines operatively coupled with the respective rotatable loads, operable as a generator or a motor for selectively taking power from one of the rotatable loads to drive the other of the rotatable loads, or the reverse.

A turbine engine provides a spool supporting a turbine. The spool is arranged in a core nacelle and includes a thrust bearing. A fan is arranged upstream from the core nacelle and is coupled to the spool. A fan nacelle surrounds the fan and core nacelle and provides a bypass flow path that includes a fan nozzle exit area. A flow control device is adapted to effectively change the fan nozzle exit area. A controller is programmed to monitor the thrust bearing and command the flow control device in response to an undesired load on the thrust bearing. Effectively changing the fan nozzle exit area with the flow control device actively manages the bearing thrust load to desired levels.

Systems and methods for performing module-based diagnostics are described. In an exemplary embodiment, sensor values from an actual engine plant are input to an engine component quality estimator which generates performance estimates of major rotating components. Estimated performance differences are generating by comparing the generated performance estimates to a nominal quality engine. The estimated performance differences, which are indicative of component quality, are continuously updated and input to a real-time model of the engine. The model receives operating conditional data and the quality estimates are used to adjust the nominal values in the model to more closely match the model values to the actual plant. Outputs from the engine model are virtual parameters, such as stall margins, specific fuel consumption, and fan / compressor / turbine efficiencies. The virtual parameters are combined with the sensor values from the actual engine plant in a fault detection and isolation classifier to identify abnormal conditions and / or specific fault classes, and output a diagnosis.

Embodiments of systems and methods for tuning a turbine are provided. In one embodiment, a method may include receiving at least one of a measured operating parameter or a modeled operating parameter of a turbine during operation; and tuning the turbine during operation. The turbine may be tuned during operation by applying the measured operating parameter or modeled operating parameter or parameters to at least one operational boundary model, applying the measured operating parameter or modeled operating parameter or parameters to at least one scheduling algorithm, comparing the output of the operational boundary model or models to the at output of the scheduling algorithm or algorithms to determine at least one error term, and closing loop on the one error term or terms by adjusting at least one turbine control effector during operation of the turbine.

A low or no pollution power generation system is provided. The system has an air separator to collect oxygen. A gas generator is provided with inputs for the oxygen and a hydrocarbon fuel. The fuel and oxygen are combusted within the gas generator, forming water and carbon dioxide. Water or other diluents are also delivered into the gas generator to control temperature of the combustion products. The combustion products are then expanded through at least one turbine or other expander to deliver output power. The combustion products are then passed through a separator where the steam is condensed. A portion of the water is discharged and the remainder is routed back to the gas generator as diluent. The carbon dioxide can be conditioned for sequestration. The system can be optimized by adding multiple expanders, reheaters and water diluent preheaters, and by preheating air for an ion transfer membrane oxygen separation.

Methods and apparatus are provided for verifying proper operation of a gas turbine engine output torque sensor using a speed sensor, and using the speed sensor as a backup torque sensor. Gas turbine engine output torque is sensed using a reference torque sensor, and gas turbine engine output shaft rotational speed is sensed. Gas turbine engine output torque is calculated from the sensed gas turbine engine output shaft rotational speed. The sensed gas turbine engine output torque is compared to the calculated gas turbine engine output torque to determine if the reference torque sensor is operating properly. The gas turbine engine is controlled at least partially based on the sensed gas turbine engine output torque if the reference torque sensor is determined to be operating properly, and is controlled at least partially based on the calculated output torque if the reference torque sensor is determined to be not operating properly.

Mobile power generation system and methods using a fixture to position a generator pad assembly in a mobile power generation system include providing a trailer including a rear end, a front end, a bottom end, and a top end, a gas turbine housed inside the trailer having an internal base, and an electrical generator coupled to the gas turbine to generate electricity and housed inside the trailer. The generator pad assembly may include a plurality of generator pads fixed to the internal base, a respective plurality of sole plates positioned above the plurality of generator pads at a spacing, and a supportive material positioned around the plurality of generator pads and the respective plurality of sole plates to fix them in an aligned position. The fixture may be configured to fix the generator pad assembly to the internal base at the aligned position.

Compressor discharge air flows through a heat exchanger in heat exchange relation with cooling water and is supplied at reduced temperature in atomizing air and purge modes to combustors in a dual-fuel gas turbine. The heat exchanger has a pair of bypass passages in parallel with a temperature regulating valve controlling flow of water through the heat exchanger in response to the temperature of the compressor discharge air exiting the heat exchanger. Should the flow control valve close in response to low temperature of the compressor discharge air, in the air atomizing mode, the bypass passages with orifices therein provide a minimum protective flow of cooling water to the heat exchanger. In the purge mode where only half the air flow and heat rejection is required in the heat exchanger and the flow control valve closes, a bypass valve in one of the bypass passages closes to enable reduced flow of cooling water through the heat exchanger.

A method and installation are disclosed which can, for example, provide for reliable, low-Nox-emission operation of a gas turbine installation with hydrogen-rich fuel gas. An exemplary gas turbine installation includes an arrangement for flue gas recirculation into a compressor inlet and for fuel gas dilution. Oxygen content in combustion air can be reduced by recirculation of recooled flue gas, and the fuel gas can be diluted with compressed flue gas. The oxygen reduction in the combustion air can lead to minimum residual oxygen in the flue gas which can be used for fuel gas dilution. As a result of the flue gas recirculation, water content in the combustion air can be increased by feedback of the water which results as a combustion product. The oxygen reduction, increased water content, and fuel dilution can reduce the flame velocity of hydrogen-rich fuel gases and enable a robust, reliable and low-emission combustion.

Power generation systems and methods are provided with features directed to various innovations including ones relating to the conversion of concentrated solar and biomass energy to electricity, load-shifting of electrical power supply systems, gas turbine devices and cycles, and power plant control systems.

This patent provides for a method and apparatus for mitigating the formation of concentrated wake vortex structures generated from lifting or thrust-generating bodies and maneuvering control surfaces wherein the use of contour surface geometries promotes vortex-mixing of high and low flow fluids. The method and apparatus can be combined with various drag reduction techniques, such as the use of riblets of various types and / or compliant surfaces (passive and active). Such combinations form unique structures for various fluid dynamic control applications to suppress transiently growing forms of boundary layer disturbances in a manner that significantly improves performance and has improved control dynamics.

A system and method to increase the overall power output of a windpark during conditions when the wake created by an upstream turbine effects the power production of a downstream turbine. Minimizing the wake effects created by an upstream turbine on a downstream turbine increases the net power produced by both the upstream and downstream turbines. The invention is an implementation of an algorithm to determine the controller settings of one or more upstream turbines to increase total energy capture of the turbines in the windpark. The algorithm also reduces the fatigue loads on the downstream turbines by reducing the turbulence created by the wake effects of the upstream turbine.

A turbine includes a turbine blade, a plurality of sensors, a wireless sensor module, a data aggregator, and a blade pitch control unit. The plurality of sensors are distributed in a plurality of locations on the turbine blade suitable for determining a moment of the turbine blade. The sensor module is configured to transmit data to the data aggregator to determine the moment. The data aggregator is configured to provide an output to the blade pitch control unit. The blade pitch control unit is configured to adjust pitch of the turbine blade based on the moment.

Methods and systems for a dry low NOx gas turbine engine system include a gas turbine engine including at least one dry low NOx combustor. The combustor includes a plurality of injection points wherein at least some of the injection points are configured to inject a fuel into the combustor at a plurality of different locations. The system includes a water source coupled to the combustor and operable to inject water into others of the plurality of injection points. The system also includes a control system that includes a sensor configured to measure an exhaust gas concentration of the turbine, a processor programmed to receive a signal indicative of the turbine exhaust gas concentration, and to automatically control the water injection using the received exhaust gas concentration signal. Such systems in use together can mitigate visible emissions from the exhaust stack.

A single dielectric barrier aerodynamic plasma actuator apparatus based on the dielectric barrier discharge phenomenon is disclosed and suggested for application to aerodynamic uses for drag reduction, stall elimination and airfoil efficiency improvement. In the plasma actuator apparatus non-uniform in time and space, partially ionized gasses are generated by one or more electrode pairs each having one electrically encapsulated electrode and one air stream exposed electrode and energization by a high-voltage alternating current waveform. The influence of electrical waveform variation, electrode polarity, electrode size and electrode shape on the achieved plasma are considered along with theoretical verification of achieved results. Light output, generated thrust, ionizing current waveform and magnitude and other variables are considered. Misconceptions prevailing in the present day plasma generation art are addressed and are believed-to-be corrected. The influence of electrostatic shielding effects of the developed plasma on the applied electric field are also considered.

A method of improving emission performance of a gas turbine is provided. The method includes recirculating a portion of an exhaust gas stream to a compressor of the gas turbine via an exhaust gas recirculating system, to reduce concentration of oxygen in a high pressure feed oxidant stream into a combustor of the gas turbine. The method further includes adding diluent to at least one of a fuel stream directed to the combustor or a low pressure feed oxidant stream directed to the compressor, to reduce concentration of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and increase concentration of carbon dioxide in a resultant exhaust gas stream.

A fuel conditioning system for a turbine plant may include an inlet fuel module followed by a turbine fuel module for each turbine, the modules being monitored and controlled by a programmable logic controller. The inlet fuel module may include a metering station, an inlet pressure control station, an inlet scrubber station, and an inlet coalescing filter station. Each turbine fuel module has a turbine pressure control station, a turbine super-heater station, and a turbine coalescing filter station. The fuel conditioning system may also include a trip transient mitigation system and a latent fuel venting system. The programmable logic controller collects data from all of the stations and systems as well as the turbine and then uses self-correcting algorithms to control the stations and systems. The programmable logic controller also stores the data collected and transmits the data to an off-site storage and verification center.

A method and system for operating at partial load a gas turbine system having a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine. The method and system may include the steps of lowering a flow of fuel to the combustor, extracting air from the compressor so as to lower a flow of air to the compressor, and returning the extracted air to the turbine or a component of the gas turbine system other than the combustor. Extracting air from the compressor raises a combustion temperature within the combustor. Raising the combustion temperature maintains a combustion exhaust below a predetermined level, maintains stable combustion, and extends turbine turndown values.

A pumping system includes a water pump for moving water. The pumping system includes means for determining a value indicative of a blockage that inhibits the movement of water through the pumping system, and means for determining a performance value of the pumping system. In one example, the pumping system includes means for comparing the performance value to the value indicative of a blockage and means for controlling the pump in response to the comparison. In another example, the system includes means for determining a change in power consumption of the water pump. In another example, the system includes means for determining a threshold value and means for controlling the pump when the performance value exceeds the threshold value. In another example, the system includes means for determining a difference value based upon a plurality of performance valves during a first time period and a second time period. A method of controlling the pumping system is also included.

The present invention relates to a method for operating a wind turbine with an electrical generator, drivable by a rotor, for supplying electrical power to an electric grid, in particular to the loads connected thereto. The object of the present invention is to define a method for operating a wind turbine and to provide a wind turbine and / or a wind farm that is capable, even when the output of non-reactive power fluctuates, of reducing or at least of insignificantly increasing the unwanted fluctuation in voltage at a predefined point in the grid compared to the situation with no wind turbine(s). Method for operating a wind turbine with an electrical generator, drivable by a rotor, for supplying electrical power to an electric grid, in particular to the loads connected thereto, characterized in that the phase angle φ is changed in response to at least one voltage measured in the grid.A method for operating a wind turbine and to provide a wind turbine and / or a wind farm that is capable, even when the output of non-reactive power fluctuates, of reducing or at least of insignificantly increasing the unwanted fluctuation in voltage at a predefined point in the grid compared to the situation with no wind turbines. Method for operating a wind turbine with an electrical generator, drivable by a rotor, for supplying electrical power to an electric grid, in particular to the loads connected thereto, characterized in that the phase angle φ is changed in response to at least one voltage measured in the grid.

Aspects of the invention are directed to a visual-based system and method for non-destructively evaluating an uncoated turbine engine component. Aspects of the invention are well suited for high speed, high temperature components. Radiant energy emitted from an uncoated turbine engine component can be captured remotely and converted into a useful form, such as a high resolution image of the component. A plurality of images of the component can be captured over time and evaluated to identify failure modes. The system can also measure and map the temperature and / or radiance of the component. The system can facilitate the non-destructive evaluation of uncoated turbine components during engine operation without disassembly of the engine, thereby providing significant time and cost savings. Further, the system presents data to a user with sufficient context that allows an engine operator can evaluate the information with an increased degree of confidence and certainty.

Ambient air is compressed into a compressed ambient gas flow with a main air compressor. The compressed ambient gas flow having a compressed ambient gas flow rate is delivered to a turbine combustor and mixed with a fuel stream having a fuel stream flow rate and a portion of a recirculated gas flow to form a combustible mixture. The combustible mixture is burned and forms the recirculated gas flow that drives a turbine. The recirculated gas flow is recirculated from the turbine to the turbine compressor using a recirculation loop. At least one emission level is measured by at least a first emission sensor in the recirculated gas flow and at least a first control signal is generated. The fuel stream flow rate is adjusted based on the at least a first control signal to achieve substantially stoichiometric combustion.

A gas turbine generating apparatus according to the present invention comprises a gas turbine capable of a high-speed operation, a permanent-magnet-type generator driven at a high speed by the gas turbine, an inverter device (5) for converting alternating-current power generated by the generator into commercial alternating-current power, and a system-interconnection device (9) for interconnecting output of the inverter device to a commercial AC power supply system (10). The system-interconnection device controls the inverter device based on voltage of the commercial AC power supply system as a criterion such that output current of the inverter device is in phase with the voltage or out of phase with the voltage by a constant phase difference. A control device (18) is provided for operating the permanent-magnet-type generator (4) as a motor at a time of starting the gas turbine, and supplying alternating-current power from a direct-current power supply through the inverter device or another inverter device in addition to the inverter device to the generator for increasing a rotational speed smoothly from zero. The control device detects output current of the inverter device and controls the inverter device to keep the output current constant.

A digital engine controller compatible with multiple variants of gas turbine engine is programmed to receive identification of a variant of gas turbine engine coupled to the digital controller and thereafter to automatically determine and adjust inputs to the engine, according to the received identification of engine variant, to meet user-specified output.