Gas Turbine Igniter Augmented Waveform Reduces Electrode Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine igniter assemblies face high maintenance frequencies due to wear from high spark energy, which increases the frequency of electrode replacement and reduces operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An igniter assembly with an augmented electrical waveform that delivers multiple electrical pulses during each burst, reducing the energy per spark and increasing the likelihood of ignition with fewer total energy bursts, thereby minimizing electrode wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If higher spark energy is used to increase ignition probability, then combustion stability is improved, but electrode wear increases and maintenance frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical waveform is segmented into multiple bursts, where each burst contains multiple electrical pulses. This segmentation allows the total energy to be distributed across multiple smaller discharge events rather than a single high-energy spark, reducing electrode wear while maintaining ignition probability
Solution Approach 2:
The igniter employs periodic bursts of electrical pulses instead of continuous or single-shot discharge. The waveform includes multiple bursts separated by intermissive periods, with each burst containing multiple pulses at specific spacing, creating a periodic action pattern that achieves reliable ignition while limiting cumulative electrode wear through controlled duty cycles
2Reliability
If higher spark energy is used to ensure stable combustion ignition, then ignition reliability is improved, but maintenance operations frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ignition process is segmented into multiple bursts with multiple pulses each, allowing reliable combustion ignition through cumulative energy delivery while reducing the need for frequent maintenance operations that would otherwise reduce operational efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The periodic burst waveform provides continuous useful action during the ignition phase by delivering multiple pulses within each burst and repeating bursts over time, ensuring reliable combustion establishment while optimizing the duty cycle to minimize maintenance requirements and maximize operational efficiency
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 augmented electrical waveform reduces electrode wear and maintenance frequencies while maintaining or improving ignition efficiency, extending the operational life of the igniter assembly.
Implementation Method 1
the first electrode and the second electrode are configured to ionize gas within the cavity in response to each electrical pulse of the pair of electrical pulses supplied to the first electrode or the second electrode
Implementation Method 2
a primary electrode of the igniter assembly may receive an abrupt electrical voltage (e.g., an electrical pulse or a single current-voltage waveform) that generates an electrical current through the gas between the primary electrode and the secondary electrode, thus ionizing a volume of the gas therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to gas turbine engine operation in which an igniter assembly is provided with an electrical energy input (e.g., an electrical waveform) that is configured to increase a likelihood of igniting a fuel-air mixture surrounding the igniter assembly. In certain embodiments, the igniter assembly is supplied with an augmented electrical waveform that may reduce a quantity of sparks generated by the igniter assembly before successful light-off (e.g., ignition) of the fuel-air mixture is achieved (e.g., as compared to a quantity of sparks generated to achieve ignition by an igniter assembly that receives an electrical energy input in the form of a conventional electrical waveform). Accordingly, the augmented electrical waveform may reduce wear (e.g., via oxidation) on electrodes of the igniter assembly, such as a primary electrode (e.g., a center electrode) and a secondary electrode (e.g., an outer shell electrode) disposed about the primary electrode.