FLEXIBLE FLOW CONTROL DEVICE FOR COGENERATION DUCTING APPLICATIONS
First Claim
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1. A flow control apparatus, comprising:
- a contoured member forming a leading edge and defining a volume;
a plurality of separation members disposed in the volume and defining a plurality of fluid passageways of varying length disposed axially along a length of the contoured member;
a first plate actuatable between a first position and a second position; and
a second plate actuatable between a first position and a second position;
wherein while in their respective first positions, the upper and lower plates define a trailing edge and while in their respective second positions, the upper and lower plates define an opening through which fluid flowing from the fluid passageways is expelled;
wherein an outer surface formed by the contoured member and the first and second plates defines a fluid flow surface.
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Abstract
Apparatuses and methods for cogeneration ducting applications in which at least a desired effective flow stream control is maintained for stable combustion. A flow stream is directed through a flow control system to achieve the desired effective uniform flow rate and composition.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A flow control apparatus, comprising:
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a contoured member forming a leading edge and defining a volume;
a plurality of separation members disposed in the volume and defining a plurality of fluid passageways of varying length disposed axially along a length of the contoured member;
a first plate actuatable between a first position and a second position; and
a second plate actuatable between a first position and a second position;
wherein while in their respective first positions, the upper and lower plates define a trailing edge and while in their respective second positions, the upper and lower plates define an opening through which fluid flowing from the fluid passageways is expelled;
wherein an outer surface formed by the contoured member and the first and second plates defines a fluid flow surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An air flow control apparatus, comprising:
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a) a plurality of flow control members, each comprising;
i) a contoured member forming a leading edge;
ii) a first plate actuatable between a first position and a second position; and
iii) a second plate actuatable between a first position and a second position;
wherein while in their respective first positions, respective distal ends of the upper and lower plates are proximate to one another and define a trailing edge, and while in their respective second positions, the distal ends are separated from one another, whereby the upper and lower plates define an opening through which fluid flowing from the fluid passageways is expelled;
wherein an outer surface formed by the contoured member and the first and second plates defines a fluid flow surface;
wherein a plurality of fluid channels of varying length are formed axially along a length of the contoured member and within a volume defined between the contoured member and the first and second plates; and
b) an actuator to actuate the plates between their respective first and second positions. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for generating heat energy, comprising:
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a) operating a cogeneration system in a first mode in which a gas turbine engine is operated to produce energy, wherein the operation in the first mode comprises;
i) flowing an exhaust of the gas turbine engine over a plurality of flow control members located in a main exhaust duct of the cogeneration system;
wherein each of the plurality of flow control members is a wing-shaped member having a pair of plates disposed on opposite sides of the wing-shaped member and actuatable between a closed configuration and an open configuration in which the plates are rotated into a flow pathway defined by the main exhaust duct and form an air outlet volume;
wherein the flow control devices are in the closed configuration while the cogeneration system operates in the first mode; and
b) operating the cogeneration system in a second mode in which the gas turbine engine is disabled and a steam generation system operates to generate energy, wherein the operation in the second mode comprises;
i) actuating the flow control members to the open configuration;
and ii) flowing air into an axially disposed fluid passageway formed in each respective flow control member;
wherein the axially disposed fluid passageways are in fluid communication with the respective air outlet volumes, whereby the air is expelled from the respective flow control members into the main exhaust duct. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A flow control system for use with a cogeneration system comprising:
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a) a plurality of flow control members, each comprising;
i) a contoured member forming a leading edge;
ii) a first plate actuatable between a first position and a second position;
ii) a second plate actuatable between a first position and a second position;
wherein while in their respective first positions, respective distal ends of the upper and lower plates are proximate to one another and define a trailing edge, wherein an outer surface formed by the contoured member and the first and second plates defines a fluid flow surface to effect flow stream uniformity of exhaust flow produced by a gas turbine while operating in a gas turbine mode; and
wherein while in their respective second positions, the distal ends are separated from one another, whereby the upper and lower pates define an opening through which fluid flowing from the fluid passageways is expelled;
wherein a plurality of fluid channels of varying length are formed axially along a length of the contoured member and within a volume defined between the contoured member and the first and second plates to effect flow stream uniformity while operating in a fresh air mode; and
(b) an actuator to actuate the plates between their respective first and second positions. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A system operable in a gas turbine mode and a fresh air mode, comprising:
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a gas turbine engine;
a generator coupled to the gas turbine engine and configured to generate electrical energy from mechanical energy provided by the gas turbine engine;
a heat recovery steam generator located downstream from, and in fluid communication with, the gas turbine engine, whereby the heat recovery steam generator receives exhaust from the gas turbine engine while operating in the gas turbine mode; and
a plurality of wing-shaped flow control members disposed between the gas turbine engine and the heat recovery steam generator, and each comprising movable surfaces variably positionable to allow the respective flow control members to be placed in a first configuration during the gas turbine mode and a second configuration during the fresh air mode, wherein during the fresh air mode air is flowed into respective axial passageways of the flow control members and expelled into a volume defined between the respective movable surfaces.
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Specification