Dynamically auto-tuning a gas turbine engine
First Claim
1. A computerized method, implemented by a processing unit, for dynamically tuning a combustor of a gas turbine (GT) engine, the method comprising:
- monitoring parameters of the GT engine during operation, wherein the parameters quantify at least one of combustion dynamics or emission composition;
detecting that a plurality of the monitored parameters exceed predetermined upper or lower limits;
identifying the plurality of monitored parameters that exceed the predetermined upper or lower limits as exhibiting an out-of-tune condition;
comparing the identified parameters against a scanning order table to determine which one of the identified parameters is highest ranked;
selecting a fuel-flow split for adjustment based, in part, on at least one of the identified parameters exhibiting the out-of-tune condition, wherein the process of selecting comprises;
(a) using graphical representations to evaluate a set of fuel-flow splits, wherein a graphical representation includes one or more slopes associated with a respective fuel-flow split, and wherein the one or more slopes correspond with a respective identified parameter plotted against tuning values of the respective fuel-flow split; and
(b) identifying a fuel-flow split that, upon incrementing its tuning values within an associated graphical representation, produces a greatest positive impact on the highest-ranked parameter and produces a least negative impact on a remainder of the identified parameters; and
incrementally adjusting the selected fuel-flow split a predefined amount.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Tuning processes implemented by an auto-tune controller are provided for measuring and adjusting the combustion dynamics and the emission composition of a gas turbine (GT) engine via a tuning process. Initially, the tuning process includes monitoring parameters, such as combustion dynamics and emission composition. Upon determining that one or more of the monitored parameters exceed a critical value, these “out-of-tune” parameters are compared to a scanning order table. Upon comparison, the first out-of-tune parameter that is matched within the scanning order table is addressed. The first out-of-tune parameter is then plotted as overlaid slopes on respective graphs, where the graph represents a fuel-flow split. Typically, the slopes are plotted as a particular out-of-tune parameter against a particular fuel-flow split. The slopes for each graph are considered together by taking into account the combined impact on each out-of-tune parameter when a fuel-flow split is selected for adjustment.
44 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computerized method, implemented by a processing unit, for dynamically tuning a combustor of a gas turbine (GT) engine, the method comprising:
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monitoring parameters of the GT engine during operation, wherein the parameters quantify at least one of combustion dynamics or emission composition; detecting that a plurality of the monitored parameters exceed predetermined upper or lower limits; identifying the plurality of monitored parameters that exceed the predetermined upper or lower limits as exhibiting an out-of-tune condition; comparing the identified parameters against a scanning order table to determine which one of the identified parameters is highest ranked; selecting a fuel-flow split for adjustment based, in part, on at least one of the identified parameters exhibiting the out-of-tune condition, wherein the process of selecting comprises; (a) using graphical representations to evaluate a set of fuel-flow splits, wherein a graphical representation includes one or more slopes associated with a respective fuel-flow split, and wherein the one or more slopes correspond with a respective identified parameter plotted against tuning values of the respective fuel-flow split; and (b) identifying a fuel-flow split that, upon incrementing its tuning values within an associated graphical representation, produces a greatest positive impact on the highest-ranked parameter and produces a least negative impact on a remainder of the identified parameters; and incrementally adjusting the selected fuel-flow split a predefined amount. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A computerized method, implemented by a processing unit, for generating one or more slopes used to dynamically tune a combustor of a gas turbine (GT) engine, the method comprising:
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recording a plurality of operational conditions from the GT engine; determining that a first operational condition and a second operational condition of the plurality of operational conditions are outside a prescribed range; generating slopes for both the first and second operational conditions via a graphing process comprising; (a) constructing a first slope associated with a particular fuel-flow split within a set of fuel-flow splits by plotting data points derived from the first operational condition against tuning values associated with the fuel flow split; (b) constructing a second slope associated with the fuel-flow split by plotting data points derived from the second operational condition against the tuning values associated with the fuel flow split; (c) overlaying the first slope and the second slope to form a graphical representation associated with the fuel-flow split; and (d) repeating the graphing process for a remainder of the set of fuel-flow splits; compiling graphical representations associated with the set of fuel-flow splits, respectively, within a slopes schedule; and correcting the first and second operational conditions by employing the slopes schedule to select one of the set of fuel-flow splits for incremental adjustment. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. One or more computer-readable media that, when invoked by computer-executable instructions, perform a method for dynamically auto-tuning a gas turbine (GT) engine, the method comprising:
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detecting that one or more operating parameters have overcome a threshold value, wherein the one or more detected parameters exhibit an out-of-tune condition upon overcoming the threshold value; comparing the one or more detected parameters against a scanning order table to determine which of the one or more detected parameters is first encountered within the scanning order table; selecting a fuel-flow split for adjustment as a function of the one or more detected parameters via a process comprising; (a) generating a set of slopes that are particular to a respective fuel-flow split, wherein a slope in the set of slopes corresponds with a respective detected parameter plotted against tuning values of the respective fuel-flow split; and (b) identifying a fuel-flow split that, upon incrementing its tuning values along the set of slopes, produces a greatest positive impact on the first encountered parameter and produces a least negative impact on a remainder of the one or more detected parameters; and initiating the adjustment of the selected fuel-flow split.
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Specification