CN102455000A

CN102455000A - System and method for igniting a combustor

Info

Publication number: CN102455000A
Application number: CN2011103529780A
Authority: CN
Inventors: A·W·克鲁尔; G·O·克雷默
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: General Electric Co
Priority date: 2010-11-02
Filing date: 2011-11-02
Publication date: 2012-05-16
Also published as: FR2966885A1; JP2012097747A; DE102011054878A1; US20120107750A1

Abstract

An ignition system for a combustor includes an access port through a wall of the combustor and a laser outside the combustor and aligned with the access port to generate a beam along a path. A lens in the path of the beam focuses the beam at a focal point inside the combustor, and a shutter has a first position in the path and a second position out of the path. A method for igniting a combustor includes generating a beam along a path, focusing the beam to a focal point inside the combustor, and moving a shutter from a first position in the path to a second position outside of the path.

Description

The System and method for that is used for the ignition combustion device

Technical field

The present invention relates in general to a kind of System and method for that is used for the ignition combustion device.In a particular embodiment, said System and method for can adopt laser instrument to provide focused beam to be used for the fuel in the ignition combustion device.

Background technology

Be used for the air fire fuel known in this area with the burner that produces the HTHP burning gases.For example, combustion gas turbine systems, aero-engine and numerous other systems based on burning comprise one or more burner, and it will mix with fuel such as the working fluid of air and light this mixture with generation HTHP burning gases.Each burner generally comprises igniter to start burning, and this burning becomes the oneself subsequently and keeps burning.In addition, igniter can be used for restarting when needed burning.For example, the combustion gas turbine systems with a plurality of burners is when single burner interrupts burning once in a while, if not igniting again immediately can cause unpredictalbe or not planned the closing of combustion turbine system.Likewise, aero-engine is produced instable state down at common self-sustaining burning and is moving down what know once in a while, and so possibly use when needed can be apace and restart the igniter of burning reliably.

The various systems that are used for the ignition combustion device are known in this area.For example, conventional igniter generally includes spark plug, and it provides spark with fire fuel and air mixture in burner.For operation effectively, the spark that produces by spark plug must with fuel enough closely to light said fuel.This general requirement is inserted the combustion chamber to arrive injected fuel spray or to increase the width of injected fuel spray so that it arrives spark plug with spark plug.The width that increases the injected fuel spray that arrives spark plug spark plug inserted burner can disturb flowing of fuel, air and burning gases in the burner, in case and can reduce that burning starts and the efficient of burner when keeping burning.Useful solution is that spark plug is put in burner to start burning, also to start the spark plug of just withdrawing in case burn.Yet if the mechanism of flexible spark plug is malfunctioning, spark plug just becomes and can not operate so.

Recently, repeatedly attempt incorporating laser instrument into as incendiary source.Laser instrument can be positioned at the outside of burner, and still can produce the laser beam with focus on the path of narrower injected fuel spray in burner.Between burning gases and laser instrument, provide a shield with the protection focus lamp at window between laser instrument and the focus or lens.Yet foreign matter fragment, oil, fuel, burning gases and other pollutants are easy to as time goes by and pollute window or lens.Along with window or lens are polluted, window or lens may reflect or twist laser beam.The refraction of said laser beam or distortion possibly moved the focus of said laser beam, thereby make that the focus of said laser beam is no longer consistent with narrow injected fuel spray, cause igniter not operate.In addition, the new focus of laser beam may produce infringement to burner and/or laser instrument.The material of lens surface pollute maybe since polluter to the absorption of laser energy and the Fast Heating lens surface.Lens surface temperature change fast can cause the permanent aging or fault of lens.Therefore, being used for the System and method for of the improvement of ignition combustion device will be useful.

Summary of the invention

Each side of the present invention and advantage are set forth in the following description, perhaps from obvious describing, perhaps can understand through putting into practice the present invention.

The present invention provides a kind of ignition system that is used for burner, and it comprises: an inlet, and it passes the wall of said burner; A laser instrument is located at the outside of said burner and is aimed at one path generation light beam in wherein said laser instrument edge with said inlet; Lens are positioned on the said path of said light beam, and wherein said lens focus on said light beam on the focus in said burner; And a shield, it has in the primary importance on the said path and the second place outside said path.Wherein, the said path of the said light beam in said burner and the fluid perpendicular that flows through said burner.Wherein said shield is with respect to said light beam substantial transparent.

Said ignition system further comprises a device that is used between the said primary importance and the said second place, moving said shield; A wiper that contacts with said shield; A device that is used to detect the state of said shield; A fibre bundle, and/or a bias component, it is operably connected to said shield so that said shield is biased to the said second place.

The present invention can further provide a kind of ignition system that is used for burner, and it comprises: inlet, and it passes the wall of said burner; Laser instrument is located at the outside of said burner and is aimed at one path generation light beam in wherein said laser instrument edge with said inlet; And fibre bundle, being positioned on the said path, wherein said fibre bundle focuses on said light beam on the focus in said burner.The said path of said light beam and the fluid perpendicular that flows through said burner.

Said ignition system further comprises a shield, and it has in the primary importance on the said path and the second place outside said path; A device that is used between the said primary importance and the said second place, moving said shield; A wiper that contacts with said shield; A bias component, it is operably connected to said shield so that said shield is biased to the said second place; With a device that is used to detect the state of said shield.Wherein, said shield is for said light beam substantial transparent.

The present invention also provides a kind of method that is used for the ignition combustion device, and it comprises: produce light beam along the path; In said burner, said light beam is focused on the focus; And the primary importance from said path moves to the second place outside the said path with shield.Said method also can comprise and adopt fibre bundle to focus on said light beam, said shield moved to said primary importance and detect the steps such as state of said shield from the said second place.

Those skilled in the art understand characteristic and each side and other of this type of and other embodiment more after reading specification.

Description of drawings

In the remainder of specification, will more specifically set forth the content of the of the present invention whole and mandate announcement that is optimal mode to those skilled in the art, comprise reference accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a kind of concise and to the point diagrammatic sketch that is used for the system of ignition combustion device according to one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is the concise and to the point diagrammatic sketch of the part of the system that is used for the ignition combustion device according to the second embodiment of the present invention a kind of;

Fig. 3 is the concise and to the point diagrammatic sketch of the system that shield is opened among Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is the concise and to the point diagrammatic sketch of the part of the system that is used for the ignition combustion device according to the third embodiment of the present invention a kind of; And

Fig. 5 is the concise and to the point diagrammatic sketch of the system that shield is opened among Fig. 4.

The figure elements table

The reference number name of parts

10 systems

12 burners

14 combustion chambers

16 nozzles

18 fuel

20 working fluids

22 burning gases

24 inlets

26 laser instruments

28 laser beams

30 focuses

32 burner wall

34 power supplys

36 light pipes

38 lens

40 shields

42 containers

44 fibre bundles

46 seals

48 wipers

50 retractable member

52 fluids

54 levers

56 pivoting points

58 bias components

60 servomotors

62 pins

64 sensors

The specific embodiment

Existing in detail with reference to present embodiment of the present invention, its one or more example is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.Detailed description explanation uses numeral and letter names to indicate the characteristic in the accompanying drawing.Similar or similar title is used to indicate similar or similar parts of the present invention in accompanying drawing and the description explanation.

Each example is through providing explanation of the present invention, and and unrestricted the present invention.In fact, those skilled in the art should know under the situation that does not break away from category of the present invention or spirit and can make amendment and change the present invention.For example, illustrate or the characteristic that is described as the part of an embodiment can be used to produce another embodiment in another embodiment.Therefore, its purpose is that the present invention is encompassed in interior this type of modification and the change of category of Rights attached thereto requirement and equivalent thereof.

Embodiment in category of the present invention provides a kind of and is used to use laser instrument as incendiary source and the System and method for of ignition combustion device.Said System and method for comprises a plurality of characteristics, and these characteristics strengthen the ability of laser instrument to burner incendiary source to be provided effectively and reliably.Said System and method for can use with any burner, and these burners comprise the burner of incorporating in gas turbine, aero-engine and the reciprocating engine.

Shown in Figure 1 for according to a kind of concise and to the point diagrammatic sketch that is used for the system 10 of ignition combustion device 12 of one embodiment of the invention.This burner 12 generally comprises a combustion chamber 14 with one or more nozzle 16, and these nozzles 16 are to combustion chamber 14 fuel supplying 18.Said fuel 18 mixes with air or other working fluids 20 in combustion chamber 14, and mixture is lighted to produce the burning gases 22 of HTHP.

System 10 generally comprises inlet 24 and laser instrument 26.This laser instrument is positioned at the outside of burner 12 and aims to produce light beam 28 along the path with inlet 24.Light beam 28 has a focus 30 in burner 12, this focus 30 is general consistent with the spraying from the fuel 18 of nozzle 16.Inlet 24 can comprise any suitable opening, and it allows the wall 32 of light through burner 12.For example, as showing among Fig. 1, inlet 24 can be positioned at burner 12 sidewall 26 so that the path of the light beam 28 that produces by laser instrument 26 cross the fluid that flows through burner 12 direction and/or with its perpendicular.In this position, inlet 24 can occupy sidewall 26 interior existing openings that no longer are required of burner 12.For example, can installation system 10 24 occupy the opening that had before been used by cross pipe so that enter the mouth, this opening no longer is required when in gas turbine combustor, lighting a fire.Perhaps, inlet 24 can be positioned on the wall 26 identical with nozzle 16, so that the path of the light beam 28 that is produced by laser instrument 26 and the fluid that flows through burner 12 are on identical direction and/or substantially parallel with it.In this position, it is generally acknowledged that the bigger change of the accurate position of focus 30 can be accepted, and still can make focus 30 general consistent with spraying from the fuel 18 of nozzle 16.

Laser instrument 26 can comprise any suitable laser instrument as known in the art, and it is used to produce the high strength of the fuel 18 in can ignition combustion device 12 and the energy beam of focusing.Laser instrument 26 generally comprises power supply 34, light pipe 36, lens 38 and shield 40.One or more these assemblies perhaps include in the container 42 by protecting near the container 42 of inlet 24.Container 42 can dispose shield 40 with from burner 12 spacing containers 42, so that needn't stand the temperature and pressures of expection in the combustion chamber 14.Perhaps, shield 40 is removable, and configurable container 42 is perhaps to stand the temperature and pressures of expection in the combustion chamber 14 continuously off and on.

Power supply 34 provides enough energy to produce light beam 28 for laser instrument 26.For example, although the size of power supply 34 and capacity, only if outside narrating especially in the claim, do not limit the present invention, power supply 34 can provide enough power to produce approximate 1GW/cm to allow laser instrument 26 ²Focused beam 28.Light pipe 36 is connected to inlet 24 with laser instrument 26, and light path is provided for the light beam 28 in burner 12 outsides.Thus, laser instrument 26 and/or power supply 34 can approachingly perhaps be placed away from burner 12, for example, and to help the maintenance and the replacing of laser instrument 26 and power supply 34.

Fig. 2,3,4 and 5 provides the concise and to the point diagrammatic sketch according to the part of the system of alternate embodiment of the present invention.As shown in the figure, lens 38 generally are positioned on the path of light beam 28 at burner 12 light beam 28 is focused on the focus 30.Lens 38 can comprise that one or more circular discs is to focus on light beam 28 on the focus 30, as showing in Fig. 2 and 3 in burner 12.Perhaps, lens 38 can comprise the fibre bundle 44 of single fiber.Each fiber is shaped so that the fibre bundle of assembling 44 focuses on light beam 28 on the focus 30 in burner 12 through general, as showing in Fig. 4 and 5.The quantity that can select fiber included in the fibre bundle 44 is to strengthen the reliability of laser instrument 26.Particularly, the quantity that can select single fiber is so that the single fiber of laser instrument 26 in fibre bundle 44 is damaged or suffers fully running continuously under the situation that pollutant stops up.

Lens 38 and/or other assembly in the shield 40 protection containers 42 are avoided the contaminants in the combustion chamber 14.Only if although do not limit the present invention outside the special narration in the particular location claim of shield 40; But in order to protect lens 38 and/or other assembly in the container 42; Shield 40 general between lens 38 and focus 30 Anywhere; For example,, along or the path of adjacent beams 28 and/or near or in inlet 24.If near or place in 24 at inlet, then can with seal 46, wiper 48, packing ring or similarly insulating materials be connected to shield 40 or be in contact with it, between the inside of combustion chamber 14 and container 42, temperature and/or pressure barrier to be provided.

In various embodiments, shield 40 is perhaps opaque basically with respect to light beam 28 substantial transparent, and the coating that can be included on shield 40 one or both sides prevents to adhere to shield 40 from the pollutant of combustion chamber 14 to reduce perhaps.As used herein, at least a portion that " with respect to light beam 28 substantial transparent " mean light beam 28 is passed shield 40 not having under the situation that significantly reflects and/or stop.The shield 40 of substantial transparent can comprise (for example) quartz, sapphire, clear glass, safety glass, acrylic and the suitable transparent material that other those skilled in the art knew.If with respect to light beam 28 substantial transparent, then shield 40 can remain on the path of light beam 28 in 26 operating periods of laser instrument, allowed at least a portion of light beam 28 to have basically no and passed shield 40 with changing.It is generally acknowledged that light beam 28 can enough focus to the oblate small amounts of contamination that adheres to shield 40 when passing shield 40.Further contemplate that ground, a large amount of pollutant that adheres to shield 40 will absorb enough energy so that be fused into a hole of passing shield 40 from light beam 28, therefore allow laser instrument 26 to continue operation, keep in repair or will change up to shield 40.As used herein, " opaque basically with respect to light beam 28 " means barrier 40 and stops basically or reflect all light beams 28, prevents that most at least light beam 28 from passing shield 40.Basically opaque shield 40 can comprise (for example) jealous glass, opaque safety glass, opaque acrylic, magnesia press-powder or the suitable opaque material that other those skilled in the art knew.

No matter shield 40 is still opaque basically with respect to laser beam 28 substantial transparent, shield 40 all has in first on the path of light beam 28 or closed position and second or open position outside the path of light beam 28.In primary importance, shield 40 general between combustion chamber 14 and lens 38 to strengthen protection, like demonstration in Fig. 2 and 4 to the lens in the container 42 38 and/or other assemblies.Laser instrument 26 moves when shield 40 is in primary importance therein, for example, and at shield 40 during with respect to light beam 28 substantial transparent.In the second place, shield 40 passes freely through the inlet 24 in the combustion chamber 14 with permission light beam 28 outside the path of light beam 28, as showing in Fig. 3 and 5.Laser instrument 26 moves when shield 40 is in the second place therein; For example; At shield 40 with respect to light beam 28 substantial transparent, and when partly or wholly being stopped, or when shield 40 is opaque basically with respect to light beam 28 by pollutant from combustion chamber 14.Can allow one or two surface of the inswept shield 40 of wiper 48 (if existence) perhaps to remove the pollutant on the shield 40 at mobile shield 40 between the primary importance and the second place to reduce.

As showing among Fig. 1 to 5, system 10 can further comprise the device that is used between the primary importance and the second place, moving shield 40.For example, as shown in fig. 1, said device can comprise the retractable member 50 that is connected to shield 40.Fluid 52 can be supplied or emits so that retractable member 50 puts in respectively or withdraws from retractable member 50 alternatelies, thereby between the primary importance and the second place, moves shield 40.Perhaps, shown in Fig. 2 and 3, said device can comprise a lever 54 that passes pivoting point 56 and be connected to shield 40.Hydraulic pressure, pneumatic or mechanical actuator (not shown) can be configured so that lever 54 is reorientated with lever 54, thereby between the primary importance and the second place, move shield 40.Fig. 4 and 5 is provided for another example of the appropriate configuration of the device of mobile shield 40 between the primary importance and the second place.Shown in Fig. 4 and 5, said device can comprise servomotor 60, its pin 62 through being configured to be rotatably connected to shield 40.The rotation of pin 62 can make shield 40 between the primary importance and the second place, rotate around pin 62.In alternate embodiment, the device that is used between the primary importance and the second place moving shield 40 can comprise screw-threaded engagement, ratchet and pawl device and/or those skilled in the art knew is used for moving with respect to another assembly any in fact pneumatic, the hydraulic pressure and/or the mechanical mechanism of an assembly.

As among Fig. 2 to 5 shown in further, can a bias component 58 such as spring, counterweight, piston or similar device be connected to shield 40, so that shield 40 is biased to one of primary importance or second place.For example; Can bias component 58 be attached to shield 40 so that shield 40 is biased to the second place; So that be used under the malfunctioning situation of the device that moves shield 40 between the primary importance and the second place; Bias component 58 can move to the second place automatically with shield 40, thereby allows laser instrument 26 to keep and can move, up to the device that is used for mobile shield 40 is keeped in repair or changes.

Shown in Fig. 2 to 5, system 10 can further comprise a device that is used to detect the state of shield 40.The state of shield 40 can comprise, for example, and the quantity and/or the position of the pollutant on the position of shield 40 and/or the shield 40.Said device can comprise that for example, light-sensitive element or temperature sensor such as photocell, photo-resistor, temperature detector or equivalent mechanism, pass shield 40 or perhaps hot from the light of shield 40 reflections with detection.For example, as shown in graphic, can sensor 64 be placed in the container 42 with detection and pass shield 40 or from light or the heat of shield 40 reflections.Pass shield 40 or can be used for confirming the position of shield 40, to prevent laser instrument 26 error running when shield 40 is closed from the amount of the light of shield 40 reflection or heat.Perhaps or in addition, pass shield 40 or can indicate existence, position and/or quantity the routing of the pollutant on the shield 40 from the amount of the light of shield 40 reflections or heat to help laser instrument 26 is safeguarded or keeped in repair.

Described in the figure and the system 10 that illustrates a kind of method that is used for ignition combustion device 12 can further be provided, it comprises and produces light beam 28 along a path and in burner 12, light beam 28 is focused to focus 30.Said method can further comprise the primary importance of shield 40 on the path moved to the second place outside the path.In a particular embodiment, said method may further include at fibre bundle 44 inner focusing light beams 28, shield 40 is moved to primary importance and/or detects the state of shield 40 from the second place.

Patent application of the present invention is described use case and is disclosed the present invention's (comprising optimal mode) and also makes any those skilled in the art can put into practice the present invention, comprises making and using any device or system and implement any method of incorporating into.The scope that the present invention patents is defined by claim, and can comprise other examples that those skilled in the art expect.If other examples comprise the structural element of the straight semantic language of literal that is different from claim or have the equivalent structure key element that unsubstantiality difference is arranged with the straight semantic language of literal of claim if it comprises, then should these examples be included in the scope of claim.

Claims

1. ignition system (10) that is used for burner (12), it comprises:

An inlet (24), it passes the wall (32) of said burner (12);

A laser instrument (26) is located at the outside of said burner (12) and is aimed at one path generation light beam (28) in wherein said laser instrument (26) edge with said inlet (24);

Lens (38) are positioned on the said path of said light beam (28), and wherein said lens (38) focus on said light beam (28) on the focus (30) in said burner (12); And

A shield (40), it has in the primary importance on the said path and the second place outside said path.

2. system according to claim 1 (10) is characterized in that: said lens (38) comprise a fibre bundle (44).

3. according to the described system of arbitrary previous claim (10), it is characterized in that: it further comprises the device that is used between the said primary importance and the said second place, moving said shield (40).

4. according to the described system of arbitrary previous claim (10), it is characterized in that: the said path of the said light beam (28) in said burner (12) and the fluid perpendicular that flows through said burner (12).

5. according to the described system of arbitrary previous claim (10), it is characterized in that: said shield (40) is with respect to said light beam (28) substantial transparent.

6. according to the described system of arbitrary previous claim (10), it is characterized in that: it further comprises a wiper (48) that contacts with said shield (40).

7. according to the described system of arbitrary previous claim (10), it is characterized in that: it further comprises a bias component (58), and it is operably connected to said active covering plate (40) so that said shield (40) is biased to the said second place.

8. according to the described system of arbitrary previous claim (10), it is characterized in that: it further comprises a device that is used to detect the state of said shield (40).

9. method that is used for ignition combustion device (12), it comprises:

Produce light beam (28) along the path;

In said burner (12), said light beam (28) is focused on the focus (30); And

Primary importance from said path moves to the second place outside the said path with shield (40).

10. method according to claim 9 is characterized in that: it comprises that further employing fibre bundle (44) focuses on said light beam (28).

11. according to each described method in the claim 9 to 10, it is characterized in that: it further comprises said shield (40) is moved to said primary importance from the said second place.

12. according to each described method in the claim 9 to 11, it is characterized in that: it further comprises the state that detects said shield (40).