The invention concerns an interface for a digital electronic control for a gas turbine engine. The interface allows one to gain access to random access memory in the control, wherein data of interest is stored. The data includes information about present operating conditions of the engine, such as component speeds and temperatures, as well as data concerning the health of components. The data is in digital format, but is converted into analog format within the control and transmitted from the control in analog format. The analog data is used to drive a recording device, such as a strip chart recorder, thus allowing information about the engine to be transmitted to a location remote from the engine, in real time.
In a method for monitoring the supply system (10) of a gas turbine having a multiburner system, said supply system (10) comprising at least one distribution system (15, 24), via which a pressurized medium required for operating the multiburner system is distributed to a plurality of individual burners (12, . . . , 14) opening into a combustion chamber, reliable detection and analysis of faults is achieved in that, while the gas turbine is operating, the pressure loss in the at least one distribution system (15, 24) is measured continuously, in that the measured pressure loss is compared with a desired value characteristic of the respective operating state of the gas turbine, and in that a communication is issued when the measured pressure loss deviates from the associated desired value by a predetermined value.
The present invention relates to a distributed fuel system, wherein a plurality of fuel tanks used for storing fuel are distributed in different locations. The fuel tanks are connected to each other via a manifold which permits fuel to flow therein. The distributed fuel system includes a plurality of control components interposed at predetermined points of the manifold to permit or restrict the flow of the fuel contained in the manifold in response to control signals. A method for distributing the fuel between the fuel tanks to achieve predetermined levels in each of the fuel tanks comprises the steps of determining the status and condition of the fuel system. The functions to be performed are then selected. Based on the system status and the functions to be performed, the configuration of the control elements is selected to perform the functions to be performed. The control signals are outputted to the control components to obtain the desired configuration of the control components for causing the fuel flow within the distributed fuel system to accomplish the desired functions, thereby yielding the desired fuel distribution.
The invention provides a diagnostic method and system for monitoring controller performance. The diagnostic system includes a tool and a controller. The tool includes a user interface that displays at least one operational status command, such that a user may select the operational status command. A controller has an operation status. The operational status command of the tool queries the operation status of the controller. As a result, the controller generates at least one operational status response. A communications path for transmission of the at least one operational status command from the tool to the controller and the at least one operational status response from the controller to the tool is provided. The user interface displays the operational status response of the controller.
The system and method of the invention provide for remotely monitoring the operation of at least one turbine, the turbine being disposed in an operating location. The method comprises inputting input data from the turbine; and processing the input data to generate verified performance data, the processing including determining validity of the input data and performing at least one calculation on the input data, which is valid, to generate the verified performance data. The method further includes generating a collection of stored data in a database based on at least one of the input data and the verified performance data.
A system and method for tuning a turbine comprises a turbine controller coupled to the turbine, a first computer system coupled to the turbine controller and located locally to the turbine, and a second computer system for exchanging data with the first computer system. The second computer system is located remotely from the turbine and exchanges data with the first computer system via a network connection such as the internet, an intranet or a virtual private network (VPN). Data relating to a characteristic such as turbine combustion dynamics and/or emissions is transmitted by the first computer system to the second computer system. The second computer system transmits control data over the network connection to the first computer to tune the turbine.
