Flame Visualization Engine Parameter Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face anomalies such as absent flames, improper flame temperature, fuel maldistribution, and structural defects within combustors, leading to increased emissions and potential damage, which existing technologies fail to detect and mitigate effectively.
Innovation Solution
A visualization system coupled to each combustor, comprising a camera and controller that monitors optical spectra to identify anomalies and adjusts engine parameters like fuel flow, inlet guide vane angle, and water injection to compensate for detected conditions, enabling real-time correction without operator intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional combustion monitoring methods are used, then the system is simple, but anomalies such as absent flames, improper flame temperature, and fuel maldistribution cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical combustion monitoring methods with optical imaging technology. A camera optically coupled to the combustor captures flame images, and image processing algorithms analyze flame presence, temperature, and distribution. This substitution enables precise anomaly detection without mechanical contact with the high-temperature combustion environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary system consisting of a camera and viewing port that allows indirect observation of combustion conditions. The camera captures light emitted by the flame, and the viewing port provides optical access to the combustor interior. This intermediary approach enables remote monitoring of flame characteristics without direct sensor exposure to extreme conditions.
2Reliability
If real-time anomaly detection is implemented, then emissions compliance and engine longevity are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the camera continuously monitors flame conditions, the controller analyzes images to detect anomalies, and the system automatically adjusts fuel flow or triggers alerts. This closed-loop feedback enables real-time correction of combustion issues, ensuring emissions compliance and preventing engine damage while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated control.
3Measurement precision
If multiple camera systems are deployed to monitor all combustors, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal camera system with a rotatable mounting that can monitor multiple combustors sequentially. The single camera system is configured to view different combustors at different rotational positions, enabling one camera to perform the function of multiple fixed cameras. This reduces overall system complexity and cost while maintaining comprehensive monitoring coverage across all combustors.
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
The system effectively detects and mitigates anomalies in real-time, ensuring compliance with emissions standards and extending turbine engine longevity by maintaining optimal combustion conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the controller may be configured to detect a spectral emission of the flame
Data Source
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AI summary
A system includes an engine (10) that includes a combustion chamber (16) and a viewing port (36) into the combustion chamber (16). The engine (10) also includes a camera (38) configured to obtain an image of a flame (80) in the combustion chamber (16) through the viewing port (36) and a controller (42) configured to adjust a parameter of the engine (10) based on the image of the flame (80).