Digital Compressor Surge Prediction System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face compressor surge events due to increased pressure at the delivery end, leading to air flow reversal, noise, and potential engine damage, with existing anti-surge systems using a single air bleed size that is inadequate for effective prevention.
Innovation Solution
A digital system that compares controlled and reference pressure signals to predict surge events by fitting curves through associated time values and estimates the time to surge, generating signals to control bleed valves and reduce pressure near the compressor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single choice of bleed size is used in prior art pneumatic devices, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of compressor surge prevention deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic anti-surge control system that adjusts bleed valve positions based on real-time compressor operating conditions. The system uses sensors to monitor compressor parameters and dynamically modifies the bleed air flow through multiple adjustable valves, allowing the system to adapt to varying surge risks throughout the compressor operating range rather than relying on a fixed single-size bleed arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention divides the anti-surge protection into multiple independent bleed valves with different sizes, each capable of being controlled independently. This segmentation allows the system to selectively activate appropriate bleed valves based on the specific operating conditions and predicted surge risk, providing more precise and reliable protection while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pneumatic devices with single bleed size are used, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the adaptability to different operating conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional anti-surge system where multiple bleed valves of different sizes work together to address various operating conditions. The system integrates sensors, controllers, and actators to provide comprehensive surge protection across the entire compressor operating range, making the device adaptable to different scenarios while maintaining manufacturability through standardized valve components and modular assembly.
3Measurement precision
If digital signal processing with curve fitting is used to predict surge, then the measurement precision of surge prediction is improved, but the device complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary curve fitting and surge prediction calculations in advance of actual surge events, using real-time compressor data to establish baseline characteristics. By pre-processing signals and fitting curves before critical moments, the system achieves high prediction precision while managing computational complexity through efficient algorithms and timely execution before surge occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous feedback loops where compressor operating parameters are constantly monitored, compared against predicted surge conditions, and used to adjust control actions. The system uses real-time feedback from sensors to refine its predictions and modify bleed valve positions dynamically, achieving high measurement precision through iterative correction while managing system complexity through closed-loop control architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices for anticipating a surge in a gas turbine engine. Controlled pressure signal(s) may be compared with reference pressure signal(s), each of the controlled pressure signal(s) and reference pressure signal(s) having an associated time value. If the controlled pressure signal(s) are less than the reference pressure signal(s), a controlled pressure curve may be fitted through a predetermined number of points based on the controlled pressure value(s) and associated time value(s). A reference pressure curve may be fitted through the predetermined number of points based on the reference pressure value(s) and associated time value(s). A time to compressor surge may be estimated based on an intersection of the controlled pressure curve and the reference pressure curve.