IGNITION SYSTEM FOR A COMBUSTOR
A combustor ignition system includes an igniter assembly adapted for installation at least partially inside a combustor. A first ignition lead is electrically connected to the igniter assembly and includes a terminal end remote from the igniter assembly. A second ignition lead is electrically connected to the first ignition lead. The combustor ignition system further includes means for releasably connecting the first and second ignition leads.
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The present invention generally involves an ignition system for a combustor. In particular embodiments, the system includes one or more ignition leads that facilitate maintenance and repairs to the combustor and/or an associated gas turbine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONCommercial gas turbines are known in the art for generating power. A typical gas turbine used to generate electrical power includes an axial compressor at the front, one or more combustors around the middle, and a turbine at the rear. Ambient air may be supplied to the compressor, and rotating blades and stationary vanes in the compressor progressively impart kinetic energy to the working fluid (air) to produce a compressed working fluid at a highly energized state. The compressed working fluid exits the compressor and flows through one or more nozzles into a combustion chamber in each combustor where the compressed working fluid mixes with fuel and ignites to generate combustion gases having a high temperature and pressure. The combustion gases expand in the turbine to produce work. For example, expansion of the combustion gases in the turbine may rotate a shaft connected to a generator to produce electricity.
The combustion may be initiated by an ignition circuit in one or more combustors. The ignition circuit may include, for example, an exciter located outside of the combustor and an igniter located proximate to or inside of the combustor. The exciter generates a desired electrical pulse used by the igniter to produce a spark or other source of ignition inside of the combustor. In many cases, the exciter may be located remotely from the igniter by distances exceeding 25-35 feet, and an ignition lead may thus be used to provide electrical continuity from the exciter to the igniter, while also isolating the exciter from the high temperatures and pressures associated with the combustor.
The ignition lead must often be removed during maintenance or repair outages to enable removal of the casing surrounding the combustor and/or for replacement of the igniter. Due to the length of the ignition lead and difficulty in accessing the igniter, the removal process is often both time consuming and labor intensive, increasing the cost and duration of the outage. Therefore, an improved system and method for igniting a combustor that facilitates improved maintainability and/or removal of the ignition lead would be useful.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONAspects and advantages of the invention are set forth below in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
One embodiment of the present invention is a combustor ignition system that includes an igniter assembly adapted for installation at least partially inside a combustor. A first ignition lead is electrically connected to the igniter assembly and includes a terminal end remote from the igniter assembly. A second ignition lead is electrically connected to the first ignition lead. The combustor ignition system further includes means for releasably connecting the first and second ignition leads.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a combustor ignition system that includes an igniter assembly adapted for installation at least partially inside a combustor. A first ignition lead is electrically connected to the igniter assembly and includes a terminal end remote from the igniter assembly. A ferrule surrounds the terminal end, and a second ignition lead is releasably connected to the ferrule.
The present invention may also include an ignition system that includes a combustor and an igniter assembly adapted for installation at least partially inside the combustor. A first ignition lead is electrically connected to the igniter assembly and includes a terminal end remote from the igniter assembly. A ferrule surrounds the terminal end, and a second ignition lead is releasably connected to the first ignition lead.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will better appreciate the features and aspects of such embodiments, and others, upon review of the specification.
A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof to one skilled in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to present embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The detailed description uses numerical and letter designations to refer to features in the drawings. Like or similar designations in the drawings and description have been used to refer to like or similar parts of the invention.
Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit thereof For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Various embodiments of the present invention include an ignition system for a combustor. In particular embodiments, the combustor ignition system may include multiple ignition leads in which a first ignition lead connects to an igniter assembly located proximate to or inside of the combustor and a second ignition lead connects to an exciter located outside of the combustor. The first and second ignition leads may releasably connect to one another to complete the ignition circuit while also facilitating easier removal of one of the ignition leads for maintenance and repair.
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This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other and examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
Claims
1. A combustor ignition system, comprising:
- a. an igniter assembly adapted for installation at least partially inside a combustor;
- b. a first ignition lead electrically connected to said igniter assembly, wherein said first ignition lead comprises a terminal end remote from said igniter assembly;
- c. a second ignition lead electrically connected to said first ignition lead; and
- d. means for releasably connecting said first and second ignition leads.
2. The combustor ignition system as in claim 1, further comprising an exciter electrically connected to said second ignition lead.
3. The combustor ignition system as in claim 1, wherein said means for releasably connecting said first and second ignition leads comprises a ferrule surrounding said terminal end.
4. The combustor ignition system as in claim 3, wherein at least a portion of said second ignition lead surrounds said ferrule.
5. The combustor ignition system as in claim 3, further comprising a threaded engagement between said ferrule and said second ignition lead.
6. The combustor ignition system as in claim 3, further comprising an insulator between said ferrule and said terminal end.
7. The combustor ignition system as in claim 1, further comprising means for biasing at least a portion of said second ignition lead toward at least a portion of said first ignition lead.
8. A combustor ignition system, comprising:
- a. an igniter assembly adapted for installation at least partially inside a combustor;
- b. a first ignition lead electrically connected to said igniter assembly, wherein said first ignition lead comprises a terminal end remote from said igniter assembly;
- c. a ferrule surrounding said terminal end; and
- d. a second ignition lead releasably connected to said ferrule.
9. The combustor ignition system as in claim 8, further comprising an exciter electrically connected to said second ignition lead.
10. The combustor ignition system as in claim 8, wherein at least a portion of said second ignition lead fits inside said ferrule.
11. The combustor ignition system as in claim 8, wherein at least a portion of said second ignition lead surrounds said ferrule.
12. The combustor ignition system as in claim 8, further comprising a threaded engagement between said ferrule and said second ignition lead.
13. The combustor ignition system as in claim 8, further comprising an insulator between said ferrule and said terminal end.
14. The combustor ignition system as in claim 8, further comprising means for biasing at least a portion of said second ignition lead toward at least a portion of said first ignition lead.
15. An ignition system, comprising:
- a. a combustor;
- b. an igniter assembly adapted for installation at least partially inside said combustor;
- c. a first ignition lead electrically connected to said igniter assembly, wherein said first ignition lead comprises a terminal end remote from said igniter assembly;
- d. a ferrule surrounding said terminal end; and
- e. a second ignition lead releasably connected to said first ignition lead.
16. The ignition system as in claim 15, wherein at least a portion of said second ignition lead fits inside said ferrule.
17. The combustor ignition system as in claim 15, wherein at least a portion of said second ignition lead surrounds said ferrule.
18. The combustor ignition system as in claim 15, further comprising a threaded engagement between said ferrule and said second ignition lead.
19. The combustor ignition system as in claim 15, further comprising an insulator between said ferrule and said terminal end.
20. The combustor ignition system as in claim 15, further comprising means for biasing at least a portion of said second ignition lead toward at least a portion of said first ignition lead.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 15, 2011
Publication Date: Feb 21, 2013
Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY (Schenectady, NY)
Inventors: Albert B. Costa (Simpsonville, SC), Abdul Khaliq (Manama)
Application Number: 13/209,698
International Classification: F23Q 3/00 (20060101);