Fuel Patents (Class 60/39.281)
  • Patent number: 8499542
    Abstract: A flow balancing valve for a multistage combustor includes a first pressure feedback line, a first burn line, and a first metering port fluidly connected to the first fuel injector. The flow balancing valve further includes a second pressure feedback line, a second burn line, and a second metering port fluidly connected to the second fuel injector. A metering land is located between and defines sizes of the first metering port and the second metering port. An increase in pressure differential between the first pressure feedback line and the second pressure feedback line causes a compensatory movement in the metering land to balance fuel flow for the first fuel injector and the second fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Thaddeus J. Zebrowski
  • Patent number: 8499541
    Abstract: A two-shaft gas turbine is capable of starting premixed combustion without extinguishing a flame. The two-shaft gas turbine includes a combustor and a gas generator controller. The combustor has a premix burner that includes combustion regions in which premixed combustion is to be carried out individually. The gas generator controller controls the combustor. In a method for starting the premixed combustion in the combustor, the gas generator controller selects at least one of the combustion regions in which the premixed combustion is to be carried out, on the basis of a fuel-air ratio, and starts premix combustion in the selected combustion region or separately in each of the selected combustion regions. Further, as the fuel-air ratio is increased, the controller increases the number of the selected region in which the premixed combustion is carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryo Kawai, Hidetaro Murata, Takeo Saito, Nobuaki Kizuka, Kenji Nanataki
  • Publication number: 20130192244
    Abstract: A fuel system for an auxiliary power unit includes a mechanical fuel pump, an electric fuel pump, and a controller. The mechanical fuel pump provides fuel flow to the auxiliary power unit and has an output dependent upon an operational speed of the auxiliary power unit. The electric fuel pump provides fuel flow to the auxiliary power unit, and is located in flow series with the mechanical fuel pump. The controller causes the electric fuel pump to provide fuel flow during starting of the auxiliary power unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Lloyd Ripley, Behzad Hagshenas
  • Patent number: 8495880
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system are disclosed that include a heat source, an endothermic process module, and a fuel source configured to supply fuel to the endothermic process module and to receive isomerized fuel from the endothermic process module. A controller includes logic instructions operable to receive information regarding temperature of fuel received by the endothermic process module, and regulate application of heat from the heat source to the fuel at the endothermic process module. The endothermic process module includes a catalyst that increases the thermal carrying capacity of the fuel by isomerizing fuel from the fuel source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Edward H. Allen
  • Publication number: 20130186098
    Abstract: A fluid flow control system includes a fluid inlet, a central chamber, a first nozzle extending from a first side of the central chamber and comprising a first throat, a second nozzle extending from a second side of the central chamber opposite the first side and comprising a second throat, and a flow control shuttle. The flow control shuttle includes a first needle having a first tapered portion positioned within the first throat for controlling flow through the first nozzle and a second needle having a second tapered portion positioned within the second throat for controlling flow through the second nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bruce Paradise
  • Patent number: 8490379
    Abstract: A gas turbine controller having a first generator for setting the flow rate of fuel or air being supplied to a combustor in correspondence with a target load, a sensor for detecting intake temperature of a compressor, a second generator for setting a correction amount of a set value of fuel flow rate or air flow rate based on the value detected by the sensor, a third generator for setting a modification amount of the correction amount while taking account of the target load, a first multiplier for operating a modified correction amount from a correction amount set by the second generator and a modification amount set by the third generator, and a second multiplier for calculating the flow rate of fuel or air being supplied to a combustor by adding the modified correction amount to the set value of fuel flow rate or air flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masumi Nomura, Kozo Toyama, Tomo Kawakami, Kotaro Miyauchi, Kuniharu Fujibayashi
  • Patent number: 8490406
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to determine a first heating value of a low BTU fuel, determine a target fuel quality level based on a state of a turbine system, control a second heating value of a high BTU fuel, and inject the high BTU fuel into the low BTU fuel to achieve the target fuel quality level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Constantin Dinu, Gilbert Kraemer, Geoffrey D Myers
  • Patent number: 8484977
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for regulating the flow rate of fuel taken from a fuel circuit of an aircraft propelled by an engine. The device comprises: a positive displacement pump receiving fuel from a fuel circuit of the aircraft and delivering fuel at a flow rate that is proportional to its speed of rotation; a differential gear having a predefined transmission ratio, a first inlet mechanically coupled to the aircraft engine, a second inlet mechanically coupled to an electric motor/generator, and an outlet mechanically coupled to the positive displacement pump to drive it in rotation; and an electronic control system for regulating the speed of rotation of the electric motor/generator as a function of a setpoint value for the flow rate of fuel to be injected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Nicolas Alain Bader, Rachid Boudyaf, Alexis Patouillard
  • Patent number: 8484981
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine that includes a compressor, a combustion stage, a turbine assembly, a fuel gas feed system for supplying fuel gas to a combustion stage of the gas turbine, an integrated fuel gas characterization system, and a buffer tank is disclosed. The integrated fuel gas characterization system may determine the heating value of the fuel and adjust either the airflow to the compressor or the fuel gas flow to the combustor to maintain a design fuel-to-air ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Pratyush Nag
  • Publication number: 20130174565
    Abstract: A method for operating a gas turbine, which is optionally operated with a gaseous fuel (A) having a gaseous mass flow ({dot over (m)}gas)and/or with an oil fuel (B) having an oil mass flow ({dot over (m)}oil), wherein a change between an operating mode with gaseous fuel (A) and an operating mode with oil fuel (B) is undertaken during load operation of the gas turbine, and wherein a water addition of a water mass flow ({dot over (m)}H2O) is provided at least in the operating mode with oil fuel (B). The ratio (?norm) of the added water mass flow ({dot over (m)}H2O) to the fuel mass flow during the change between operating modes is determined according to ? norm = m . H 2 ? O · LHV norm m . gas · LHV gas + m . oil · LHV oil .
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventor: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8480037
    Abstract: A device for determining a position of a throttle lever includes position sensors each connected to a primary flight control computer, position sensors each connected to an engine management computer, the position sensors being split into at least three groups of sensors with no common simple failure mode, and at least one interface computer, that includes at least one input to receive measurement information emitted by the computers connected to the position sensors and outputs leading to the engine management computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Belkadi, Richard Ambroise
  • Publication number: 20130167549
    Abstract: A method of controlling a turbine engine. The method may include adjusting a position of a plurality of guide vanes of a compressor. The adjusting the position of the plurality of guide vanes may be a function of a compressor temperature signal. The method may further include adjusting a quantity of fuel delivered to a combustor via a pilot assembly. The adjusting of the quantity of fuel may be a function of a temperature difference resulting from the adjusting a position of the plurality of guide vanes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: Chad M. Holcomb, Jason W. Ritchie
  • Patent number: 8474268
    Abstract: A method of managing transient events regularly seen during gas turbine operation that may cause undesirable operation and hardware damage. During certain transient operations, a lag may be seen between reference exhaust temperature and actual turbine exhaust temperature. This lag can result in an under-fired condition within the combustion system of variable magnitude and duration. Either fuel split schedules or a control algorithm can be positioned during these transients to prevent combustion dynamics or loss of flame. Combustion dynamics are known to cause damage that may require hardware replacement. Once the transient has completed, normal control operation is resumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jason D. Fuller, Derrick W. Simons, Douglas E. Dean, Christopher T. Meadows
  • Patent number: 8464740
    Abstract: A flow divider assembly includes a dividing valve and a balancing valve. The dividing valve includes a dividing cavity configured to receive a flow of fuel and a piston device arranged within the dividing cavity and selectively positioned to divide the flow of fuel in the dividing cavity into the first dividing valve port and the second dividing valve port. The balancing valve is fluidly coupled to the dividing valve and configured to receive the first portion and the second portion of the flow. The balancing valve includes a balancing cavity and a balancing device arranged within the balancing cavity and selectively positioned to direct the first portion of the flow into the first balancing cavity port at a third pressure and the second portion of the flow into the second balancing cavity port at a fourth pressure such that the first pressure is approximately equal to the second pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Zielinski
  • Patent number: 8457861
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided and includes a combustor having a first interior in which a first fuel is combustible, a turbine into which products of at least the combustion of the first fuel are receivable, a transition zone, including a second interior in which a second fuel and the products of the combustion of the first fuel are combustible, a plurality of fuel injectors which are configured to supply the second fuel to the second interior in any one of a single axial stage, multiple axial stages, a single axial circumferential stage and multiple axial circumferential stages, a compressor, by which air is supplied to the first and second interiors for the combustion therein, and a control system configured to control relative amounts of the air to the first and second interiors and relative amounts of the first and second fuels supplied to the first and second interiors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lewis Berkley Davis, Jr., Krishna Kumar Venkataraman, Willy Steve Ziminsky, Geoffrey David Myers
  • Patent number: 8448445
    Abstract: A method is described for the start-up of a gas turbine comprising the phases of effecting a preliminary purging cycle of the discharge duct (28) of the turbine (20), establishing a predetermined minimum value (FSR1) for the flow of gaseous fuel entering the combustor (14) for a period of time which is adequate for effecting a first attempt at ignition and effecting a first attempt at ignition, effecting an intermediate purging cycle of the discharge duct (28), interrupting the flow of gaseous fuel to the combustor (14), and progressively increasing the value (FSRn) of the flow of gaseous fuel entering the combustor (14), effecting further attempts at ignition until the mixture of air/gaseous fuel has been ignited and the consequent start-up of the turbine (20), or until a predetermined maximum value (FSRmax) of the flow of gaseous fuel has been reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Nuovo Pignone S.p.A.
    Inventor: Claudio Botarelli
  • Patent number: 8434310
    Abstract: A trim valve includes a valve housing having an inlet section and an outlet section. A valve shaft is mounted to the valve housing to be stationary with respect thereto. The valve shaft includes an internal flow passage in fluid communication with the outlet section of the valve housing. A valve rotor is disposed inboard of the valve housing and outboard of the valve shaft for modulating flow through the valve housing. The valve rotor is mounted for rotational movement within the valve housing between a fully open position in which a flow path is defined between the inlet and outlet sections of the valve housing, and a reduced flow position in which the valve rotor at least partially blocks the flow path. An actuator is operatively connected to the valve housing to actuate the valve rotor between the fully open and reduced flow positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Delavan Inc
    Inventors: Randy C. Baxter, Jerry L. Goeke
  • Patent number: 8434312
    Abstract: In a method for the low-CO emissions part load operation of a gas turbine with sequential combustion, the air ratio (?) of the operative burners (9) of the second combustor (15) is kept below a maximum air ratio (?max) at part load In order to reduce the maximum air ratio (?), a series of modifications in the operating concept of the gas turbine are carried out individually or in combination. One modification is an opening of the row of variable compressor inlet guide vanes (14) before engaging the second combustor (15). For engaging the second combustor, the row of variable compressor inlet guide vanes (14) is quickly closed and fuel is introduced in a synchronized manner into the burner (9) of the second combustor (15). A further modification is the deactivating of individual burners (9) at part load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Adnan Eroglu, Klaus Knapp, Peter Flohr, Hans Peter Knöpfel, Weiqun Geng
  • Patent number: 8434311
    Abstract: A system for controlling NOx emissions and combustion pulsation levels of a gas turbine having a gas turbine combustion system, having a single combustion chamber and multiple burners, includes a cascade structure having a first and second control level (1, 2), the first level (1) having a device to control NOx emissions and generate combustion pulsation target levels based on the difference between measured and target NOx emission levels, and the second level (2) having a device to control pulsation levels and generate a ratio (?) of fuel flow to different types of burners or to different stages of each burner. The fuel flow ratio (?) is based on the difference between the measured and generated target pulsation levels. The control system enables the operation of a gas turbine to meet NOx emission requirements, while maintaining combustion pulsation levels within limits that ensure improved lifetime of the combustion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiao-Yi Zhang, Tobias Spitzmueller, Stefano Bernero
  • Publication number: 20130104561
    Abstract: A method, system and generator for controlling a flow of fuel during a shut down of a gas turbine generator is disclosed. A first fuel flow rate to a combustion flame of the gas turbine generator is set at a beginning of a shut-down sequence. A sensor is configured to measure a rotation rate of a turbine rotor of the generator. A processor determines a deceleration of the turbine rotor from the measured rotation rates corresponding to the first fuel flow rate and compares the determined deceleration to a selected criterion. When the deceleration matches the selected criterion, the processor adjusts the fuel flow rate from the first fuel flow rate to a second fuel flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gerardo Fidel Varillas, Bradley Steven Carey, Kevin Michael Elward, John Edward Pritchard
  • Publication number: 20130098053
    Abstract: A control system for use with a turbine engine that is configured to operate at a rated power output is provided. The control system includes a computing device that includes a processor that is programmed to calculate an amount of fluid to be supplied for combustion in the turbine engine. The processor is also programmed to designate at least one nozzle of a plurality of nozzles to receive the fluid. Moreover, the control system includes at least one control valve coupled to the computing device. The control valve is configured to receive at least one control parameter from the computing device for use in modulating the amount of the fluid to be channeled to the nozzle such that the rated power output is generated while emission levels are maintained below a predefined emissions threshold level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Michael John Hughes, Bryan Wesley Romig, Abdul Rafey Khan
  • Patent number: 8424282
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant (10) has a gas turbine (11), a heat recovery steam generator (16) which is connected downstream to the gas turbine (11) and delivers steam to a steam turbine (19), an exhaust gas recycling line (28) which returns some of the exhaust gases, which flow from the exhaust of the gas turbine (11) through the heat recovery steam generator (16), to the inlet of the gas turbine (11), and also a CO2 separating plant (25) which separates from the non-returned part of the exhaust gases the CO2 which is contained therein and delivers it to a CO2 outlet. A reduction of the equipment cost or a flexible adaptation of the operation can be achieved by a supplementary firing (17) being associated with the heat recovery steam generator (16), which by combusting a carbonaceous fuel produces additional exhaust gases with CO2 content and transmits them through the heat recovery steam generator (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Vollmer, Camille Pedretti, Tobias Kjellberg
  • Patent number: 8417434
    Abstract: A method of actively controlling pattern factor in a gas turbine engine includes the steps of issuing fuel into a combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine through one or more circumferentially disposed fuel injectors, determining an initial circumferential pattern factor in the combustion chamber, and adjusting fuel flow through one or more selected fuel injectors based on the initial circumferential pattern factor, to yield a modified circumferential pattern factor in the combustion chamber. The step of determining the circumferential pattern factor can include the steps of detecting a chemiluminescent signature within the combustor, correlating the chemiluminescent signature to an equivalence ratio, and computing the initial circumferential pattern factor based on the equivalence ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Delavan Inc
    Inventors: Brandon Phillip Williams, Jerry Lee Goeke
  • Patent number: 8417433
    Abstract: Tuning processes implemented by an auto-tune controller are provided for measuring and adjusting the combustion dynamics and the emission composition of a gas turbine (GT) engine via a tuning process. Initially, the tuning process includes monitoring parameters, such as combustion dynamics and emission composition. Upon determining that one or more of the monitored parameters exceed a critical value, these “out-of-tune” parameters are compared to a scanning order table. Upon comparison, the first out-of-tune parameter that is matched within the scanning order table is addressed. The first out-of-tune parameter is then plotted as overlaid slopes on respective graphs, where the graph represents a fuel-flow split. Typically, the slopes are plotted as a particular out-of-tune parameter against a particular fuel-flow split. The slopes for each graph are considered together by taking into account the combined impact on each out-of-tune parameter when a fuel-flow split is selected for adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Donald Gauthier, Nicolas Demougeot, Peter Stuttaford, Hany Rizkalla
  • Patent number: 8402743
    Abstract: A turbomachine including at least one thrust reverser and a device for actuating the thrust reverser, which includes at least one hydraulic engine supplied with pressurized fluid by a fuel circuit of the turbomachine, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventor: Christophe Claude Philippe Nouhaud
  • Patent number: 8397515
    Abstract: A combustor of a turbine engine having a combustion zone defined therein is provided and includes a fuel nozzle, including two or more burners, each of the burners having a passage defined therein through which combustible materials are permitted to travel toward the combustion zone, a plurality of sensors disposed in relative association with each of the burners to respectively sense static pressures within the passages of each of the burners and to respectively issue sensed static pressure signals accordingly, and a controller, coupled to the sensors and receptive of the signals, which is configured to determine from an analysis of the signals whether any of the burners are associated with a flashback risk and to mitigate the flashback risk in accordance with the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Garth Curtis Frederick
  • Publication number: 20130061596
    Abstract: A method is provided for modifying a fuel control system for a gas turbine having a standard unloading sequence and a pre-defined minimum inlet pressure requirement associated with the standard unloading sequence to allow the gas turbine to operate over an increased range of fuel supply pressure. The method includes modifying the fuel control system by inputting a modified unloading sequence onto a computing system operatively associated with the fuel control system, the modified unloading sequence comprising a series of operating modes, mode transfers, or a combination thereof that is different than the standard unloading sequence; and modifying the fuel control system by inputting a new defined minimum inlet pressure requirement for the modified unloading sequence onto the computing system, the new defined minimum inlet pressure requirement being less than the pre-defined minimum inlet pressure requirement thereby reducing a fuel supply pressure trip point for the gas turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Pradeep Rentala
  • Patent number: 8387400
    Abstract: Methods of managing fuel temperatures in fuel injectors for gas turbine engines include cooling fuel circuits by initiating fuel flow therethrough using opened, closed, and semi-open control techniques. A fuel injector for a gas turbine engine includes a feed arm having a fuel inlet fitting for delivering fuel to at least one fuel conduit extending through the feed arm. A nozzle body depends from the feed arm and has at least one fuel circuit extending therethrough. The fuel circuit is configured and adapted to receive fuel from the feed arm and to issue fuel from an exit orifice of the nozzle body. Sensing means are provided adjacent to the at least one fuel circuit. The sensing means are configured and adapted to provide temperature feedback in order to control fuel flow in the at least one fuel circuit to maintain fuel temperature within a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Delavan Inc
    Inventors: Jerry Lee Goeke, Neal A. Thomson, Brandon Phillip Williams
  • Patent number: 8381506
    Abstract: A method includes blending a first fuel with a second fuel in a ratio to produce a third mixed fuel. The first fuel has a first heating value, the second fuel has a second heating value, and the third mixed fuel has a third heating value. In addition, the first heating value is different than the second heating value. The method also includes feedforward controlling the third heating value of the third mixed fuel via prediction and correction of a fuel flow rate of the first and/or second fuels to adjust the ratio of the first and second fuels based at least in part on a comparison between a measurement and a target for the third heating value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ajanta Bhatnagar, David Wesley Ball, Jr., Kelvin Rafael Estrada, John Reuben Aiton
  • Patent number: 8381507
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine. The gas turbine engine may include a compressor for compressing a flow of air, a combustor for combusting the flow of air and a flow of fuel to create a flow of combustion gases, a turbine driven by the flow of combustion gases, a rotor driven by the turbine and driving the compressor, a rotor speed sensor, and a gas turbine shut down controller. The gas turbine shut down controller varies the flow of fuel to the combustor based upon a rotational speed of the rotor as determined by a dynamic target trajectory schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Scott Victor Hannula
  • Patent number: 8371102
    Abstract: A system for controlling the uniformity of combustion over a range of operating conditions in a combustor with a plurality of fuel nozzles. The system includes a number of optical sensors, each sensor comprising an optical probe that collects naturally occurring optical radiation emanating from a segment of the combustor or combustor exhaust, and at least one transducer that receives the radiation collected by the probes, compares the intensity of collected radiation from each sensor in a plurality of spectral pass-bands that are indicative of the fuel/air ratio in the combustor segments, and produces output signals that are indicative of the state of combustion in the combustor segments. A control system receives the output signals from the transducers and in response controls the fuel flow to the fuel nozzles to achieve an output from each of the sensors that has been determined to be indicative of a predetermined state of combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Spectral Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Jamine Lee, Neil Goldstein, Jason A. Cline, Fritz Bien, Timothy C. Perkins, Brian F. Gregor
  • Patent number: 8356484
    Abstract: According to one aspect, the subject application involves a method of controlling a transition of a gas turbine. The method includes receiving a request of the gas turbine to drive an increased load. The increased load is greater than a load being driven by the gas turbine when the request is received. The method further includes determining that a temperature of a fuel to be ignited within a combustor of the gas turbine is less than a target temperature of the fuel to be introduced into the combustor for driving the increased load. Responsive to this determination, the method also includes controlling introduction of an additive into the combustor of the gas turbine when the temperature of the fuel is less than the target temperature to establish a suitable Wobbe Index of a fuel combination to promote a substantially continuous transition of the gas turbine to drive the increased load, wherein the fuel combination includes the fuel and the additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: David August Snider
  • Publication number: 20130008171
    Abstract: A method of controlling an engine in which a fuel flow setpoint is determined, the method comprising: a step of implementing a steady speed regulation loop in which the fuel-flow-rate setpoint is determined as a function of a difference between a setpoint parameter that depends on the position of a control lever and an operating parameter of the engine; wherein the method comprises: a detection step of detecting an intended speed transient; and in response to said detection step, a step of implementing a speed transient regulation loop in which the fuel-flow-rate setpoint is determined as a function of a difference between a speed of the engine and a speed setpoint varying over time with the speed trajectory as generated in predetermined manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventor: Cedrik DJELASSI
  • Patent number: 8347599
    Abstract: A fuel control arrangement includes an injector control valve, a fuel supply structure including a primary supply path, a secondary supply path, and a splitter valve configured to split fuel flow between the primary supply path and the secondary supply path to thereby regulate fuel supply. The fuel control arrangement also includes a fuel injector directly connected to the injector control valve. The splitter valve is configured to split fuel flow between the secondary path and the injector control valve in response to a fuel pressure indicative of fuel demand. Further, the splitter is provided distal to the fuel injector and the injector control valve, to operate under different environmental conditions from the injector and the injector control valve. The injector control valve is actuated by a fluid pressure system controlled by a solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce, PLC
    Inventor: Mark Scully
  • Patent number: 8348630
    Abstract: A common regulator valve is provided for a variable displacement pump fuel metering scheme in which the common regulator valve both controls working output to a pump actuator to control displacement of the variable displacement pump and also to control bypass of excess fuel flow. The regulator valve also includes a differential piston which generates a compensation force off of the bypass flow in order to compensate for changes in spring force and flow reaction force at different system pressures and operational states. As a result, errors in the metered fuel flow can be either eliminated or substantially reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Tysver, Carthel C. Baker, Joel W. Kleckler
  • Patent number: 8316630
    Abstract: A flow equalizing override assembly is provided for use in conjunction with a gas turbine engine (GTE) and a fuel divider system. In one embodiment, the flow equalizing override assembly includes a housing assembly, a fuel divider (FD) valve, a remotely-actuatable valve, and a controller. The FD valve includes: (i) a piston slidably disposed within the housing assembly and movable between a default position and a flow equalizing position, and (ii) a control chamber defined by the piston and the housing assembly. The remotely-actuatable valve is fluidly coupled to the control chamber and is configured to selectively adjust the fuel pressure therein. The controller is configured to command the remotely-actuatable valve to adjust the pressure within the control chamber such that the piston moves from the default position to the flow equalizing position after ignition of the GTE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Futa, David Tuttle, David Lawrence
  • Patent number: 8316648
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to determine a first heating value of a low BTU fuel, determine a target fuel quality level based on a state of a turbine system, control a second heating value of a high BTU fuel, and inject the high BTU fuel into the low BTU fuel to achieve the target fuel quality level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Constantin Dinu, Gilbert Kraemer, Geoffrey D Myers
  • Patent number: 8313324
    Abstract: A combustion apparatus is provided which includes an incoming fuel supply line that supplies fuel in a plurality of fuel-supply lines to one or more burners, the burners being associated with a combustion volume. A temperature sensor is located in the apparatus so as to yield temperature information relating to a component part of the apparatus, which is to be prevented from overheating The apparatus also includes a control arrangement, which detects the temperature-sensor output and, depending on that output, varies the fuel supplies to one or more of the burners in such a way as to maintain the temperature of the component part below a maximum value, while keeping the fuel in the incoming fuel supply line substantially constant. The control unit preferably also strives to adjust the operating conditions of the apparatus so that pressure oscillations are kept below a maximum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ghenadie Bulat, Robin McMillan
  • Patent number: 8307627
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for monitoring the formation of deposits of solid particles in a fuel line having a valve. A measure for the deposits of solid particles in the fuel line is determined by determining the degree of opening of the valve passage and the quantity of fuel flowing through the valve, and by comparing them with a previously determined control value which characterizes the deposit-free line. Also disclosed is a device for monitoring the formation of deposits of solid particles in a fuel line having a valve, the device having a measurement system for determining the current fuel flow and a measurement system for determining the current valve position, as well as an evaluation system connected to the measurement systems. Also disclosed is a combustion chamber comprising a device and operated by a process according to the invention, and a gas turbine with said combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Diebels, Bernd Prade
  • Patent number: 8302406
    Abstract: A fuel delivery and control system is provided including a dual pump fluid circuit configuration comprising a fixed positive displacement pump sized to supply the main engine burn flow ranging from above windmill through cruise, a positive displacement actuation pump including a variable pressure regulator, wherein the actuation pump is sized to supply fluid to engine actuators, valves and other hydraulically operated engine components and a pump flow sharing system interconnecting the two pumps. The combined flow from the two pumps is sufficient to meet the engine flow demand for windmill relight and maximum flow conditions. During cruise or normal operating conditions, the pumps operate in completely isolated flow circuits, minimizing recirculation and therefore heat input into the fuel supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventor: Carthel C. Baker
  • Patent number: 8297036
    Abstract: A controller for a turbine power plant that is operable to identify a failure condition and measure a shutoff valve performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ruurd A. Vanderleest, Stuart S. Hay
  • Patent number: 8286414
    Abstract: A system and method to reduce the gas fuel supply pressure requirements of a gas turbine, which results in an increased operability range and a reduction in gas turbine trips. According to the method, the gas turbine is allowed to start and operate at supply pressures determined as a function of ambient conditions and gas turbine compressor pressure ratio. This increases the operability window, and reduces or eliminates the need for gas fuel compressors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brian Gallagher, Ravi Praveen S. Eluripati, Jonathan Carl Thatcher, Priscilla Childers, Bryan Edward Sweet
  • Patent number: 8286432
    Abstract: A turbine engine fuel supply system includes a priority flow line, a plurality of secondary fuel loads, a fluid-powered metering pump, a mechanically-driven fuel pump, and an electric machine. The fluid-powered metering pump, upon receiving fuel at its fuel inlet, rotates at a rotational speed, discharges the fuel from its fuel outlet at a flow rate dependent on the rotational speed, and supplies a first drive torque. The mechanically-driven fuel pump receives a second drive torque and, in response, draws fuel into its fuel inlet and discharges the fuel from its outlet to the fluid-powered metering pump fuel inlet to drive the fluid-powered metering fuel pump. The electric machine receives the first drive torque from the fluid-powered metering pump and generates electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Anson
  • Patent number: 8276363
    Abstract: Compensation is provided for a fuel demand signal of a gas turbine controller during transition between operating modes. The compensation adjusts fuel demand to account for combustion efficiency differences between the starting and ending operating mode that otherwise can lead to severe swings in combustion reference temperature and lean blowout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William Forrester Seely, Michael John Hughes
  • Patent number: 8276360
    Abstract: A dual-pump fuel system for use with a gas turbine engine comprises a fuel metering system, a mechanical fuel pump, an electric fuel pump and an engine controller. The fuel metering system is configured to dispense fuel flow to the engine based on operational needs of the gas turbine engine. The mechanical fuel pump is configured to deliver fuel to the metering system dependent on operational speeds of the engine. The electric fuel pump is configured to deliver fuel directly to the engine independent of operation of the engine. The engine controller is connected to the metering system and the electric fuel pump and is configured to cause the electric fuel pump to deliver fuel to the engine to start and operate the engine until the engine operates the mechanical fuel pump to deliver fuel to the metering system sufficient to sustain operation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Poisson, Ronald D. Poisson
  • Publication number: 20120234014
    Abstract: A fuel flow system for a gas turbine engine includes a first pump, a second pump, a bypass loop, an integrating bypass valve and a pilot valve. The first pump connects to an actuator and a metering valve. The second pump connects to the metering valve and is arranged in parallel with the first pump. The bypass loop recycles fuel flow from the first pump and the second pump to inlets of the first pump and second pump integrating bypass valve includes first and second windows. The first window regulates fuel from the first pump through the bypass loop and the second window that regulates fuel from the second pump through the bypass loop. The pilot valve controls the size of the first and second windows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles E. Reuter, Aaron V. Price, Todd Haugsjaahabink, Yukinori Sato, John J. Wichowski
  • Patent number: 8256222
    Abstract: A fuel supply system includes a fuel metering pump and a servo-flow pump that are used to supply fuel to one or more fuel manifolds and one or more fluid-operated actuators, respectively. The fuel metering pump and the servo-flow pump are driven by the same electric motor(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy D. Mahoney, Larry A. Portolese
  • Patent number: 8250849
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a fuel-control system for regulating the administration of a first fuel to a fuel consuming device are disclosed. In one aspect, the fuel-control system includes a system-controlling device adapted to consume a primary source of electrical power. The system controlling device is also adapted to consume a secondary source of electrical power, with the secondary source produced by noncombustibly consuming a second fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Julie Willets, Jason Brinkley, Jerry Meyers, Larry Johnson
  • Publication number: 20120210725
    Abstract: A method for ground control of proper operation of an aeronautical turbine engine for a plane. A test includes carrying out, on the operating turbine engine and from a predetermined speed, a quick reduction in fuel flow according to a programmed decrease to evaluate flame-out resistance of the combustion chamber of the turbine engine during a quick inflight deceleration maneuver of the speed thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: TURBOMECA
    Inventors: Philippe Roger Courtie, Philippe Etchepare, Hubert Pascal Verdier
  • Patent number: 8245493
    Abstract: Ambient air is compressed into a compressed ambient gas flow with a main air compressor. The compressed ambient gas flow having a compressed ambient gas flow rate is delivered to a turbine combustor and mixed with a fuel stream having a fuel stream flow rate and a portion of a recirculated gas flow to form a combustible mixture. The combustible mixture is burned and forms the recirculated gas flow that drives a turbine. The recirculated gas flow is recirculated from the turbine to the turbine compressor using a recirculation loop. At least one emission level is measured by at least a first emission sensor in the recirculated gas flow and at least a first control signal is generated. The fuel stream flow rate is adjusted based on the at least a first control signal to achieve substantially stoichiometric combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Karl Dean Minto