Automatically optimized combustion control
First Claim
1. A method for monitoring and controlling parameters of a combustion process comprising the acts of:
- (a) directing a scanning device at the combustion process;
(b) activating the scanning device to scan the combustion process and generate a scanning output signal that varies in accordance with variations in the combustion process;
(c) operating additional sensors to monitor other parameters of the combustion process and to generate sensor outputs that vary in accordance with variations in the combustion process;
(d) inputting the scanning output signal to a computer processor having at least a part thereof configured as a neural network;
(e) operating the neural network to process the scanning output signal and to generate a combustion classification signal defining a parameter of the combustion process;
(f) inputting the combustion classification signal and the sensor outputs to a decision analysis computer having at least a part thereof configured as a fuzzy logic controller with associated fuzzy inference rules defining combustion control actions depending on various combinations of sensor outputs and flame grade classification;
(g) operating the decision analysis computer to;
(i) analyze the combustion classification signal and sensor outputs in accordance with the fuzzy inference rules to determine appropriate combustion control actions to optimize the combustion process depending on various combinations of the sensor outputs and combustion classification signals; and
(ii) generate combustion control signals defining adjustments to at least one combustion parameter; and
(i) applying the combustion control signals to adjust at least one combustion parameter.
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Abstract
Systems and methods are disclosed that optimize the combustion process in various reactors, furnaces, and internal combustion engines. Video cameras are used to evaluate the combustion flame grade. Depending on the desired form, standard or special video devices, or beam scanning devices, are used to image the combustion flame and by-products. The video device generates and outputs image signals during various phases of, and at various locations in, the combustion process. Other forms of sensors monitor and generate data signals defining selected parameters of the combustion process, such as air flow, fuel flow, turbulence, exhaust and inlet valve openings, etc. In a preferred form, a neural networks initially processes the image data and characterizes the combustion flame. A fuzzy logic controller and associated fuzzy logic rule base analyzes the image data from the neural network, along with other sensor information. The fuzzy logic controller determines and generates control signals defining adjustments necessary to optimize the combustion process.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A method for monitoring and controlling parameters of a combustion process comprising the acts of:
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(a) directing a scanning device at the combustion process;
(b) activating the scanning device to scan the combustion process and generate a scanning output signal that varies in accordance with variations in the combustion process;
(c) operating additional sensors to monitor other parameters of the combustion process and to generate sensor outputs that vary in accordance with variations in the combustion process;
(d) inputting the scanning output signal to a computer processor having at least a part thereof configured as a neural network;
(e) operating the neural network to process the scanning output signal and to generate a combustion classification signal defining a parameter of the combustion process;
(f) inputting the combustion classification signal and the sensor outputs to a decision analysis computer having at least a part thereof configured as a fuzzy logic controller with associated fuzzy inference rules defining combustion control actions depending on various combinations of sensor outputs and flame grade classification;
(g) operating the decision analysis computer to;
(i) analyze the combustion classification signal and sensor outputs in accordance with the fuzzy inference rules to determine appropriate combustion control actions to optimize the combustion process depending on various combinations of the sensor outputs and combustion classification signals; and
(ii) generate combustion control signals defining adjustments to at least one combustion parameter; and
(i) applying the combustion control signals to adjust at least one combustion parameter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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14. The method of
claim 14 wherein the act of positioning the pressure sensor so that it can sense the pressure of at least one parameter of the combustion process includes the act of mounting the sensor in the combustion exhaust.
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17. The method of
claim 17 wherein the act of processing the scanning output signal includes analyzing the combustion flame core.
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21. The method of
claim 21 wherein the act of operating the decision analysis computer to generate combustion control signals defining required changes to the air-to-fuel ratio includes generating signals that alter the flow of air so that it is maintained within a range of defined by a preset minimum and a preset maximum.
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24. The method of
claim 24 wherein both the flow of air and the flow of fuel are changed within defined minimum and maximum values.
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30. The method of
claim 30 wherein the act of operating the decision analysis computer to generate combustion control signals defining required changes to the air-to-fuel ratio includes generating signals that control a device for treating pollutants.
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31. The method of
claim 31 wherein the act of generating signals that control a device for treating pollutants includes generating signals to control a catalytic converter.
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35. A method for controlling a combustion process in a reaction chamber comprising:
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(a) scanning the combustion flame and generating scanning signals that vary with variations in the combustion flame;
(b) detecting spectral radiation emitted by the combustion process, and generating variable spectral information signals which vary with time, (c) inputting the scanning signals and spectral information signals to a decision analysis computer having at least a part thereof configured as a fuzzy logic controller with associated fuzzy inference rules defining combustion control actions depending on various combinations of sensor outputs and flame grade classification;
(d) operating the decision analysis computer to;
(i) analyze the scanning signals and spectral information signals in accordance with the fuzzy inference rules to determine appropriate combustion control actions to optimize the efficiency of the combustion process and reduce pollutants; and
(ii) generate combustion control signals defining adjustments to at least one combustion parameter; and
(e) applying the combustion control signals to adjust at least one combustion parameter.
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36. A method in accordance with
claim 36 wherein the act of detecting spectral radiation emitted by the combustion process includes detecting spectral radiation emitted from matter burning in the combustion process.
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38. A system for monitoring and controlling parameters of a combustion process taking place within a combustion chamber, comprising:
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(a) a scanning device mounted proximate to the combustion chamber in a manner so that it is capable of scanning the combustion process, the scanning device including a detection circuit coupled to an output circuit, and configured to generate electrical scanning signals on the output circuit that vary with variations in the combustion process;
(b) a control circuit coupled to the scanning device and including an initiation circuit that activates the scanning device to begin scanning the combustion;
(c) a plurality of additional sensors configured to monitor other parameters of the combustion process, each sensor including an output circuit that generates sensor outputs that vary in accordance with variations in sensed parameters of the combustion process;
(d) a computer processor having (i) an input coupled to the output of the scanning device, (ii) logic configured as a neural network, and (iii) memory storing a program that, when executed by the network, processes the scanning output signal to generate a combustion classification signal defining a parameter of the combustion process;
(e) a decision analysis computer having (i) an input coupled to the computer processor that receives the combustion classification signals;
(ii) logic configured as a fuzzy controller;
(iii) memory storing a fuzzy inference rule program that, when executed by the fuzzy controller, analyzes the combustion classification signals and the sensor outputs to determine and generate combustion control signals defining combustion control actions that vary depending on various combinations of sensor outputs and flame grade classification;
(f) a plurality of combustion control devices configured to vary parameters of the combustion process, each combustion control device including a signal input; and
(g) wherein the decision analysis computer includes an output coupled to the inputs of the combustion control devices and is configured to communicate the combustion control signals from the fuzzy controller to the combustion control devices to adjust combustion parameters and optimize the combustion process.
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Specification