Method and apparatus for characterizing a combustion flame
First Claim
1. An apparatus for detecting an amount of a contaminant in an enclosure, the apparatus comprising:
- a first detector to detect a first amplitude of energy within a first wavelength band of a first width centered about an emission wavelength of the contaminant;
a second detector to detect a second amplitude of energy within a second wavelength band of a second width, larger than the first width, the second wavelength band also centered about the emission wavelength of the contaminant;
a calculator to calculate a ratio of the first detected amplitude of energy to the second detected amplitude of energy; and
a comparator to compare the calculated ratio to a known threshold to determine the amount of contaminant in the enclosure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Characteristics of a flame within a turbine or burner are determined based upon ultraviolet, visible, and infrared measurements of the flame. The measurements include a measurement of the amplitude of frequency bands that are indicative of an efficient combustion process, such as those that increase when the flame temperature increases. The measurements also include of the amplitude of frequency bands that are indicative of an inefficient combustion process, such as those that do not vary, increase a relatively small amount, or decrease when the flame temperature increases. The temperature of the flame may therefore be determined accurately, to facilitate efficient operation of the turbine or burner while minimizing polluting emissions. Contaminants in the turbine or burner are detected, and a degree of contamination measured, by detection of energy levels for particular wavelengths associated with a respective contaminant.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. An apparatus for detecting an amount of a contaminant in an enclosure, the apparatus comprising:
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a first detector to detect a first amplitude of energy within a first wavelength band of a first width centered about an emission wavelength of the contaminant; a second detector to detect a second amplitude of energy within a second wavelength band of a second width, larger than the first width, the second wavelength band also centered about the emission wavelength of the contaminant; a calculator to calculate a ratio of the first detected amplitude of energy to the second detected amplitude of energy; and a comparator to compare the calculated ratio to a known threshold to determine the amount of contaminant in the enclosure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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4. A method of detecting an amount of a contaminant in an enclosure, the method comprising:
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detecting a first amplitude of energy within a first wavelength band of a first width centered about an emission wavelength of the contaminant; detecting a second amplitude of energy within a second wavelength band of a second width, larger than the first width, the second wavelength band also centered about the emission wavelength of the contaminant; determining a ratio of the first amplitude of energy to the second amplitude of energy; and comparing the ratio to a known threshold to determine the amount of contaminant in the enclosure. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for characterizing a combustion flame, comprising:
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a first sensor having an input that receives energy within a first wavelength band of the flame, and an output that provides a first signal indicative of an amplitude of the energy within the first wavelength band; a second sensor having an input that receives energy within a second wavelength band of the flame, different from the first wavelength band, and an output that provides a second signal indicative of an amplitude of the energy within the second wavelength band; and a flame characterization module having a first input coupled to the output of the first sensor, a second input coupled to the output of the second sensor, and an output that provides a figure of merit that characterizes the combustion flame as a function of at least a ratio of the first signal to the second signal, wherein the first wavelength band includes a wavelength of 2200 nm, representative of an inefficient combustion process; and wherein the second wavelength band is representative of an efficient combustion process. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 21)
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22. A method of characterizing a combustion flame, comprising:
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(a) measuring an amplitude of energy within a first wavelength band of the flame, the first wavelength band indicative of an inefficient combustion process, and outputting a first signal representative of the measured amplitude of energy; (b) measuring an amplitude of energy within a second wavelength band of the flame, the second wavelength band indicative of an efficient combustion process and different from the first wavelength band, and outputting a second signal indicative of the measured amplitude of energy; and (c) determining a figure of merit to characterize the combustion flame as a function of at least a ratio of the first and second signals; wherein the first wavelength band includes a wavelength of 2200 nm. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. An apparatus for characterizing a combustion flame, comprising:
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first means for measuring an amplitude of energy within a first wavelength band of the flame, the first wavelength band indicative of an inefficient combustion process, and for outputting a first signal indicative of the measured amplitude of energy; second means for measuring an amplitude of energy within a second wavelength band of the flame, the second wavelength band indicative of an efficient combustion process and different from the first wavelength band, and for outputting a second signal indicative of the measured amplitude of energy; and determining means for determining a figure of merit to characterize the combustion flame as a function of at least a ratio of the first and second signals, wherein the first wavelength band includes a wavelength of 2200 nm. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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Specification