Multi-spool turbogenerator system and control method
First Claim
1. A method for operating an electrical generation system having a multi-spool gas turbine engine comprising at least first and second spools, the first spool including a first shaft, a first compressor mounted on the first shaft, a first turbine mounted on the first shaft, and a combustor operable to combust or react a mixture of fuel and compressed air from the first compressor to produce hot gases that are expanded in the first turbine to produce mechanical power to drive the first compressor, the second spool including a second shaft and at least a second turbine mounted on the second shaft, the second turbine arranged to receive gases exhausted from the first turbine and expand the gases to produce mechanical power, the second spool being rotatable independently of the first spool, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a main generator coupled with one of the first and second spools so as to be driven thereby, the main generator operable to generate an alternating current;
providing an auxiliary generator/motor coupled with the other of the first and second spools, the auxiliary generator/motor selectively operable in either a generation mode or a motor mode, the auxiliary generator/motor in the generation mode being operable to extract mechanical power from the spool to which the auxiliary generator/motor is coupled and generate an alternating electrical current for supply to the load, the auxiliary generator/motor in the motor mode being operable to receive electrical power from a source and convert the electrical power into mechanical power that is injected into the spool to which the auxiliary generator/motor is coupled;
causing the auxiliary generator/motor to operate in a selected one of the generation and motor modes; and
controlling operation of the auxiliary generator/motor in the selected mode so as to affect an operating condition of the gas turbine engine.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrical power generating system is driven by a multi-spool gas turbine engine including at least first and second spools. The first spool comprises a turbine and a compressor mounted on a first shaft; the second spool has at least a turbine mounted on a second shaft that is not mechanically coupled to the first shaft. A main generator is coupled with one of the spools, and an auxiliary generator/motor is also coupled with one of the spools. Speed control of each of the generators is employed for controlling operation of the engine. The auxiliary generator/motor can operate in either a generation mode to extract power from its spool or a motor mode to inject power into its spool.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method for operating an electrical generation system having a multi-spool gas turbine engine comprising at least first and second spools, the first spool including a first shaft, a first compressor mounted on the first shaft, a first turbine mounted on the first shaft, and a combustor operable to combust or react a mixture of fuel and compressed air from the first compressor to produce hot gases that are expanded in the first turbine to produce mechanical power to drive the first compressor, the second spool including a second shaft and at least a second turbine mounted on the second shaft, the second turbine arranged to receive gases exhausted from the first turbine and expand the gases to produce mechanical power, the second spool being rotatable independently of the first spool, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a main generator coupled with one of the first and second spools so as to be driven thereby, the main generator operable to generate an alternating current;
providing an auxiliary generator/motor coupled with the other of the first and second spools, the auxiliary generator/motor selectively operable in either a generation mode or a motor mode, the auxiliary generator/motor in the generation mode being operable to extract mechanical power from the spool to which the auxiliary generator/motor is coupled and generate an alternating electrical current for supply to the load, the auxiliary generator/motor in the motor mode being operable to receive electrical power from a source and convert the electrical power into mechanical power that is injected into the spool to which the auxiliary generator/motor is coupled;
causing the auxiliary generator/motor to operate in a selected one of the generation and motor modes; and
controlling operation of the auxiliary generator/motor in the selected mode so as to affect an operating condition of the gas turbine engine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for generating electrical power for supply to a load, comprising:
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a gas turbine engine comprising;
a first spool including a first shaft, a first compressor mounted on the first shaft, a first turbine mounted on the first shaft, and a catalytic combustor operable to combust or react a mixture of fuel and compressed air from the first compressor to produce hot gases that are expanded in the first turbine to produce mechanical power to drive the first compressor; and
a second spool including a second shaft and at least a second turbine mounted on the second shaft, the second turbine arranged to receive gases exhausted from the first turbine and expand the gases to produce mechanical power, the second spool being rotatably independently of the first spool;
a main generator coupled to one of the first and second spools so as to be rotatably driven thereby, the main generator operable to generate an alternating electrical current for supply to the load;
an auxiliary generator/motor coupled to the other of the first and second spools, the auxiliary generator/motor selectively operable in either a generation mode or a motor mode, the auxiliary generator/motor in the generation mode being operable to extract mechanical power from the spool to which the auxiliary generator/motor is coupled and generate an alternating electrical current for supply to the load, the auxiliary generator/motor in the motor mode being operable to receive electrical power from a source and convert the electrical power into mechanical power that is injected into the spool to which the auxiliary generator/motor is coupled; and
a controller structured and arranged to control operation of the main generator and the auxiliary generator/motor, the controller being operable to select the mode in which the auxiliary generator/motor operates and to control the auxiliary generator/motor in the selected mode so as to affect an operating condition of the gas turbine engine.
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15. A system for generating electrical power for supply to a load, comprising:
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a gas turbine engine comprising;
a first spool including a first shaft, a first compressor mounted on the first shaft, a first turbine mounted on the first shaft, and a combustor operable to combust or react a mixture of fuel and compressed air from the first compressor to produce hot gases that are expanded in the first turbine to produce mechanical power to drive the first compressor; and
a second spool including a second shaft and at least a second turbine mounted on the second shaft, the second turbine arranged to receive gases exhausted from the first turbine and expand the gases to produce mechanical power;
a main generator coupled to one of the first and second spools so as to be rotatably driven thereby, the main generator operable to generate an alternating electrical current for supply to the load when the system is in load-serving operation; and
an auxiliary generator/motor coupled to the other of the first and second spools, the auxiliary generator/motor selectively operable in either a generation mode or a motor mode when the system is in load-serving operation, the auxiliary generator/motor in the generation mode being operable to extract mechanical power from the spool to which the auxiliary generator/motor is coupled and generate an alternating electrical current for supply to the load, the auxiliary generator/motor in the motor mode being operable to receive electrical power from the main generator and convert the electrical power into mechanical power that is injected into the spool to which the auxiliary generator/motor is coupled. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A system for generating electrical power for supply to a load, comprising:
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a gas turbine engine comprising;
a first spool including a first shaft, a first compressor mounted on the first shaft, a first turbine mounted on the first shaft, and a catalytic combustor operable to combust or react a mixture of fuel and compressed air from the first compressor to produce hot gases that are expanded in the first turbine to produce mechanical power to drive the first compressor; and
a second spool including a second shaft and at least a second turbine mounted on the second shaft, the second turbine arranged to receive gases exhausted from the first turbine and expand the gases to produce mechanical power;
a main generator coupled to one of the first and second spools so as to be rotatably driven thereby, the main generator operable to generate an alternating electrical current for supply to the load;
an auxiliary generator/motor coupled to the other of the first and second spools, the auxiliary generator/motor selectively operable in either a generation mode or a motor mode, the auxiliary generator/motor in the generation mode being operable to extract mechanical power from the spool to which the auxiliary generator/motor is coupled and generate an alternating electrical current for supply to the load, the auxiliary generator/motor in the motor mode being operable to receive electrical power from a source and convert the electrical power into mechanical power that is injected into the spool to which the auxiliary generator/motor is coupled;
a controller structured and arranged to control operation of the main generator and the auxiliary generator/motor, the controller being operable to select the mode in which the auxiliary generator/motor operates and to control the auxiliary generator/motor in the selected mode; and
a sensor operable to measure a variable indicative of combustor inlet temperature, and wherein the controller is connected to said sensor and is operable to control air flow through the first spool in such a manner as to maintain the combustor inlet temperature above a predetermined minimum temperature required for catalytic operation. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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Specification