Engine Disturbance Detection via Combustor Pressure Rate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting and responding to engine disturbances in gas turbine engines, such as surges and flameouts, are inadequate in distinguishing between the two conditions promptly and effectively, leading to inefficient recovery sequences.
Innovation Solution
A method that monitors the rate of change of combustor pressure, detects engine disturbances by crossing an event detection threshold, confirms the type of event by crossing a surge or flameout confirmation threshold, and applies specific recovery sequences for surges or flameouts, prioritizing flameout recovery to ensure timely reignition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing methods are used to detect engine disturbances, then detection capability is provided, but the ability to distinguish between surge and flameout events promptly is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The detection method is segmented into multiple stages: initial disturbance detection using a first threshold, followed by event-type classification using a second threshold and time period. This segmentation allows the system to first detect any disturbance rapidly, then classify it as surge or flameout with high accuracy, resolving the contradiction between quick detection and accurate distinction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of engine disturbances using a sensitive first threshold to identify any abnormality early. Once a disturbance is detected, the system then applies the more specific second threshold and time period criteria to classify the event type. This preliminary action ensures rapid detection followed by accurate classification.
2Device complexity
If a single detection threshold is used, then detection simplicity is maintained, but the ability to differentiate between surge and flameout events is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system uses two distinct thresholds: a first threshold for initial disturbance detection and a second threshold for event-type classification. This segmented approach maintains relative simplicity while enabling accurate differentiation between surge and flameout events through the time-period-based classification logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the detection parameter dynamically: using a first threshold value for initial disturbance detection, then switching to a second threshold value combined with time period analysis for event classification. This parameter change allows the same detection system to perform both simple detection and precise differentiation.
3Loss of time
If rapid detection is prioritized, then response time is reduced, but accuracy in confirming event type may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection rapidly using the first threshold to identify disturbances immediately. Then, it applies the second threshold and time period criteria to confirm the event type with high accuracy. This preliminary action structure ensures both rapid initial detection and accurate subsequent confirmation.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection process is segmented into rapid initial detection (first threshold) and accurate confirmation (second threshold with time period). This segmentation allows the system to prioritize speed in the first stage while ensuring accuracy in the second stage, resolving the contradiction between detection speed and confirmation accuracy.
Data Source
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Figure 3A
AI summary
Methods and systems for detecting and responding to an engine disturbance are described. The method comprises monitoring a rate of change of a combustor pressure of an engine (100), detecting an engine disturbance when the rate of change of the combustor pressure falls below an event detection threshold (302), initiating an engine recovery sequence in response to detecting the engine disturbance, confirming a surge event when the rate of change of the combustor pressure increases above a surge confirmation threshold (304) within a flameout confirmation time period after having crossed the event detection threshold (302), applying a surge recovery sequence in response to confirming the surge event, confirming a flameout event when the flameout confirmation time period expires and the rate of change of the combustor pressure remains below the surge confirmation threshold (304) after having crossed the event detection threshold (302), and applying a flameout recovery sequence in response to confirming the flameout event.