Method of starting a turbomachine by testing operational support systems during the purging process
First Claim
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1. A method of starting a powerplant, the method comprising:
- providing a powerplant machine configured for generating power;
accelerating the powerplant machine to a purge speed to start a purging process;
determining whether a plurality of powerplant systems are prepared to support the operation of the powerplant machine; and
starting and accelerating the powerplant machine to a full speed if the plurality of systems are prepared for powerplant machine operation;
wherein the step of determining whether the plurality of systems are prepared to support the operation of the powerplant machine occurs during the purging process and before the starting of the powerplant machine, reducing the possibility of a shutdown occurring before the powerplant machine reaches the full speed, further comprising the steps of;
enabling an operating permissive if the plurality of systems are prepared to support the operation of the powerplant machine; and
determining whether a purge ventilation timer is satisfied, wherein the purge timer is configured for ensuring that a sufficient purge of the powerplant machine occurs.
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Abstract
The present invention has the technical effect of reducing the start-up time associated with starting a powerplant machine. An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of starting a powerplant machine, such as, but not limiting of, a turbomachine. An embodiment of the method of the present invention provides a new philosophy for starting a turbomachine. This new philosophy involves testing the turbomachine systems before the start-up process begins.
9 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of starting a powerplant, the method comprising:
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providing a powerplant machine configured for generating power; accelerating the powerplant machine to a purge speed to start a purging process; determining whether a plurality of powerplant systems are prepared to support the operation of the powerplant machine; and starting and accelerating the powerplant machine to a full speed if the plurality of systems are prepared for powerplant machine operation; wherein the step of determining whether the plurality of systems are prepared to support the operation of the powerplant machine occurs during the purging process and before the starting of the powerplant machine, reducing the possibility of a shutdown occurring before the powerplant machine reaches the full speed, further comprising the steps of; enabling an operating permissive if the plurality of systems are prepared to support the operation of the powerplant machine; and determining whether a purge ventilation timer is satisfied, wherein the purge timer is configured for ensuring that a sufficient purge of the powerplant machine occurs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of starting a turbomachine, the method comprising:
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providing a turbomachine; accelerating the turbomachine to approximately a purge speed to start a purging process; determining whether a plurality of operational support systems can support operation of the turbomachine during the purging process and before an ignition process occurs; and accelerating the turbomachine to approximately a full speed if the plurality of systems can support the operation of the turbomachine; wherein the step of determining whether the plurality of operational support systems can support the operation of the turbomachine reduces the possibility of a trip occurring after the ignition process. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of starting a turbomachine, the method comprising:
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providing a turbomachine; accelerating the turbomachine to approximately a purge speed to start a purging process; determining whether a plurality of operational support systems can support operation of the turbomachine during the purging process and before an ignition process occurs; and accelerating the turbomachine to approximately a full speed if the plurality of systems can support the operation of the turbomachine; wherein the step of determining whether the plurality of operational support systems can support the operation of the turbomachine reduces the possibility of a trip occurring after the ignition process further comprising the step of determining whether a purge ventilation timer is satisfied while the turbomachine operates at the purge speed. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A system configured for starting a turbomachine, the system comprising:
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a turbomachine comprising a plurality of operational support systems; and a control system configured for operating the turbomachine;
wherein the control system performs the steps of;accelerating the turbomachine to approximately a purge speed to start a purging process; testing the plurality of operational support systems to determine whether each of the plurality of operational support systems is in a ready state capable of supporting the turbomachine, wherein the testing occurs during the purging process and before the turbomachine starts an ignition process; and accelerating the turbomachine to approximately a full speed if the plurality of operational support systems are in the ready state; wherein the step of testing the plurality of operational support systems reduces the possibility of a trip occurring after the ignition process, further comprising the steps of; enabling an operating permissive if the plurality of systems are prepared to support the operation of the powerplant machine; and determining whether a purge ventilation timer is satisfied, wherein the purge timer is configured for ensuring that a sufficient purge of the powerplant machine occurs. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification