Acoustic Driver for Gas Turbine Combustion Dynamics Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Combustion dynamics in gas turbines, caused by fuel flow fluctuations, lead to pressure perturbations and potential catastrophic damage, restricting operational performance and adhering to stricter emissions regulations.
Innovation Solution
A combustion dynamics control system that uses an acoustic driver to eliminate pressure perturbations at the fuel injection orifice, ensuring zero fuel flow perturbations through the generation of acoustic waves, thereby addressing the root cause of combustion dynamics in gas turbines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If premixed combustion systems are used to improve emissions and power output, then operational performance is improved, but combustion dynamics and pressure perturbations increase causing potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies acoustic control to convert the harmful pressure perturbations caused by combustion dynamics into beneficial zero-pressure conditions at the fuel injection orifice. By using acoustic waves to cancel out the harmful fluctuations, the system maintains the benefits of premixed combustion while eliminating the damaging effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect pressure perturbations in real-time and feeds this information back to the acoustic driver, which adjusts its operation to maintain zero pressure fluctuations at the fuel injection orifice. This closed-loop feedback control enables continuous suppression of combustion dynamics.
2Reliability
If active control devices are used to suppress combustion dynamics, then damage is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical suppression devices with an acoustic control system. Instead of using mechanical dampers or passive structures, the system uses acoustic waves generated by an acoustic driver to electronically cancel pressure fluctuations, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls combustion dynamics by changing the acoustic parameters (frequency and amplitude of sound waves) rather than modifying the physical structure of the combustor. This allows for flexible control of pressure fluctuations without adding complex mechanical components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If fuel flow fluctuations are reduced to eliminate combustion dynamics, then pressure perturbations decrease, but control precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic driver acts as an intermediary between the fuel injection system and the combustion process. By introducing acoustic waves as a mediating factor, the system can control pressure fluctuations without requiring extremely precise direct control of fuel flow, as the acoustic field provides a softer, more distributed control mechanism.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively reduces fuel flow fluctuations, minimizing damage and enhancing operational performance and emissions control, ensuring reliable and efficient gas turbine operation.
Implementation Method 1
an acoustic driver configured to drive pressure perturbations across the fuel injection orifice to substantially zero in response to a control signal such that fuel flow perturbations across the fuel injection orifice are substantially zero in response thereto
Data Source
AI summary
A combustion dynamics control system for an aviation based or land based gas turbine engine employs an acoustic driver that is configured to drive pressure perturbations across a premixed fuel injection orifice to substantially zero in response to a control signal such that fuel flow perturbations across the fuel injection orifice are substantially zero.