Patents by Inventor Kelly J. Benson

Kelly J. Benson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Method and apparatus for detecting combustion instability in continuous combustion systems
    Patent number: 7204133
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to sense the onset of combustion stability is presented. An electrode is positioned in a turbine combustion chamber such that the electrode is exposed to gases in the combustion chamber. The electrode may be integrated with an igniter. A control module applies a voltage potential to the electrode and detects a combustion ionization signal and determines if there is an oscillation in the combustion ionization signal indicative of the occurrence of combustion stability or the onset of combustion instability. The control module broadcasts a notice if the parameters indicate the combustion process is at the onset of combustion instability or broadcasts an alarm signal if the parameters indicate the combustion process is instable. Combustion parameters are adjusted to drive the combustion process towards stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Woodward Governor Company
    Inventors: Kelly J. Benson, Luigi P. Tozzi, Ed Van Dyne, Jeff B. Barrett
  • Method and apparatus for detecting combustion instability in continuous combustion systems
    Patent number: 7096722
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to sense the onset of combustion stability is presented. An electrode is positioned in a turbine combustion chamber such that the electrode is exposed to gases in the combustion chamber. A control module applies a voltage potential to the electrode and detects a combustion ionization signal and determines if there is an oscillation in the combustion ionization signal indicative of the occurrence of combustion stability or the onset of combustion instability. A second electrode held in a coplanar but spaced apart manner by an insulating member from the electrode provides a combustion ionization signal to the control module when the first electrode fails. The control module broadcasts a notice if the parameters indicate the combustion process is at the onset of combustion instability or broadcasts an alarm signal if the parameters indicate the combustion process is unstable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Woodward Governor Company
    Inventors: Kelly J. Benson, Jimmy D. Thornton, George A. Richards, Douglas L. Straub
  • Method and apparatus for detecting combustion instability in continuous combustion systems
    Patent number: 6993960
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to sense the onset of combustion stability is presented. An electrode is positioned in a turbine combustion chamber such that the electrode is exposed to gases in the combustion chamber. The electrode may be integrated with an igniter. A control module applies a voltage potential to the electrode and detects a combustion ionization signal and determines if there is an oscillation in the combustion ionization signal indicative of the occurrence of combustion stability or the onset of combustion instability. The control module broadcasts a notice if the parameters indicate the combustion process is at the onset of combustion instability or broadcasts an alarm signal if the parameters indicate the combustion process is instable. Combustion parameters are adjusted to drive the combustion process towards stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Woodward Governor Company
    Inventor: Kelly J. Benson
  • Method and apparatus for detecting ionization signal in diesel and dual mode engines with plasma discharge system
    Patent number: 6994073
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to detect combustion conditions using ion signals for use in a feedback control of a diesel engine is presented. The apparatus is a spark plug type of sensor or a sensor integrated with a fuel injector. The spark plug type of sensor is used to provide a cold start mechanism combined with an ion sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Woodward Governor Company
    Inventors: Luigi P. Tozzi, Kelly J. Benson, Matthew Viele
  • Method and apparatus for detecting combustion instability in continuous combustion systems
    Publication number: 20040123652
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to sense the onset of combustion stability is presented. An electrode is positioned in a turbine combustion chamber such that the electrode is exposed to gases in the combustion chamber. A control module applies a voltage potential to the electrode and detects a combustion ionization signal and determines if there is an oscillation in the combustion ionization signal indicative of the occurrence of combustion stability or the onset of combustion instability. A second electrode held in a coplanar but spaced apart manner by an insulating member from the electrode provides a combustion ionization signal to the control module when the first electrode fails. The control module broadcasts a notice if the parameters indicate the combustion process is at the onset of combustion instability or broadcasts an alarm signal if the parameters indicate the combustion process is unstable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Woodward Governor Company
    Inventors: Kelly J. Benson, Jimmy D. Thornton, George A. Richards, Douglas L. Straub
  • Method and apparatus for detecting combustion instability in continuous combustion systems
    Publication number: 20040123653
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to sense the onset of combustion stability is presented. An electrode is positioned in a turbine combustion chamber such that the electrode is exposed to gases in the combustion chamber. The electrode may be integrated with an igniter. A control module applies a voltage potential to the electrode and detects a combustion ionization signal and determines if there is an oscillation in the combustion ionization signal indicative of the occurrence of combustion stability or the onset of combustion instability. The control module broadcasts a notice if the parameters indicate the combustion process is at the onset of combustion instability or broadcasts an alarm signal if the parameters indicate the combustion process is instable. Combustion parameters are adjusted to drive the combustion process towards stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Woodward Governor Company
    Inventor: Kelly J. Benson