US3765176A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic relight
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1972-02-22
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Granted: 1973-10-16
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Expires: 1992-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A system for automatically turning on the ignition of a gas turbine engine upon flameout, particularly applicable to a helicopter installation. The system responds to the relation of rate of decay of compressor discharge pressure (CDP) to the level of CDP before flameout. The system discriminates against CDP transients due to compressor noise, and those caused by decreasing the engine power level, by establishing a curve of Delta CDP against CDP above which the magnitude of Delta CDP is sufficient to indicate a flameout. The CDP signal generated by a resistance bridge is fed through an operational amplifier to curve-shaping and differentiating circuits. The outputs of the shaping and differentiating circuits are compared in a second operational amplifier which energizes its output in response to an excess of Delta CDP over the established curve. The resulting signal is delayed for approximately 5 milliseconds to discriminate against short-lived transients and then transmitted to a delay circuit. The delay circuit delays ignition to allow for decay of torque transients following the flameout with the engine connected to the mass-elastic load. After this delay, the ignition of the engine is kept energized for several seconds by a timing circuit energized by the delay circuit. Logic circuits are provided to control sequencing and operation, including resetting the delay and timing circuits upon occurrence of a flameout under certain conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 R Nelson
- 👤 O Watts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 03:23
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02C; F02C7/00; F02C7/26; F02C7/262; H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/28; F05; F05D; F05D2270/00; F05D2270/30; F05D2270/301; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T50/00; Y02T50/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A system for automatically actuating the ignition means of a gas turbine engine in response to flameout of the engine, the engine having a power output shaft coupled to a mass-elastic system displaying significant angular oscillations in response to abrupt discontinuities in torque delivered by the engine, the system comprising a transducer developing a signal indicative of CDP of the engine; trigger signal generating means actuated by the transducer signal effective to discriminate between levels of rate of change of CDP as a function of CDP as an indicator of flameout of the engine; time delay means actuated by the trigger signal effective to transmit the trigger signal after a time sufficient for decay of the said angular oscillations; and means actuated by the trigger signal transmitted by the time delay means for energizing the engine ignition means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
138 words
A system for automatically actuating the ignition means of a gas turbine engine in response to flameout of the engine, the engine having a power output shaft coupled to a mass-elastic system displaying significant angular oscillations in response to abrupt discontinuities in torque delivered by the engine, the system comprising a transducer developing a signal indicative of CDP of the engine; trigger signal generating means actuated by the transducer signal effective to discriminate between levels of rate of change of CDP as a function of CDP as an indicator of flameout of the engine; time delay means actuated by the trigger signal effective to transmit the trigger signal after a time sufficient for decay of the said angular oscillations; and means actuated by the trigger signal transmitted by the time delay means for energizing the engine ignition means.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
173 words
A system for automatically actuating the ignition means of a gas turbine engine in response to flameout of the engine, the engine having a power output shaft coupled to a mass-elastic system displaying significant angular oscillations in response to abrupt discontinuities in torque delivered by the engine, the system comprising a transducer developing a voltage indicative of CDP of the engine; first and second signal generating means responsive to the transducer, the first signal generating means generating a signal representing rate of change of CDP, the second signal generating means generating a signal varying with CDP representing the rate of change of CDP upon flameout of the engine; a comparator responsive to the two signal generating means providing a trigger signal upon flameout; time delay means actuated by the trigger signal effective to transmit the trigger signal for a predetermined time period beginning after a time sufficient for decay of the said angular oscillations; and means actuated by the trigger signal transmitted by the time delay means for energizing the engine ignition means.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
173 words
A system for automatically actuating the ignition means of a gas turbine engine in response to flameout of the engine, the engine having a power output shaft coupled to a mass-elastic system displaying significant angular oscillations in response to abrupt discontinuities in torque delivered by the engine, the system comprising a transducer developing a voltage indicative of CDP of the engine; first and second signal generating means responsive to the transducer, the first signal generating means generating a signal representing rate of change of CDP, the second signal generating means generating a signal varying with CDP representing the rate of change of CDP upon flameout of the engine; a comparator responsive to the two signal generating means providing a trigger signal upon flameout; time delay means actuated by the trigger signal effective to transmit the trigger signal for a predetermined time period beginning after a time sufficient for decay of the said angular oscillations; and means actuated by the trigger signal transmitted by the time delay means for energizing the engine ignition means.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
194 words
A system for automatically actuating the ignition means of a gas turbine engine in response to flameout of the engine, the engine having a power output shaft coupled to a mass-elastic system displaying significant angular oscillations in response to abrupt discontinuities in torque delivered by the engine, the system comprising a transducer developing a voltage indicative of CDP of the engine; first and second signal generating means responsive to the transducer, the first signal generating means generating a signal representing rate of change of CDP, the second signal generating means generating a signal varying with CDP representing the rate of change of CDP upon flameout of the engine; a comparator responsive to the two signal generating means providing a trigger signal upon flameout; time delay means actuated by the trigger signal effective to transmit the trigger signal after a time sufficient for decay of the said angular oscillations; means actuated by the trigger signal transmitted by the time delay means for energizing the engine ignition means; and timing means energized by the Time delay means effective to continue transmission of the trigger signal for a predetermined time period to hold the ignition means energized.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
194 words
A system for automatically actuating the ignition means of a gas turbine engine in response to flameout of the engine, the engine having a power output shaft coupled to a mass-elastic system displaying significant angular oscillations in response to abrupt discontinuities in torque delivered by the engine, the system comprising a transducer developing a voltage indicative of CDP of the engine; first and second signal generating means responsive to the transducer, the first signal generating means generating a signal representing rate of change of CDP, the second signal generating means generating a signal varying with CDP representing the rate of change of CDP upon flameout of the engine; a comparator responsive to the two signal generating means providing a trigger signal upon flameout; time delay means actuated by the trigger signal effective to transmit the trigger signal after a time sufficient for decay of the said angular oscillations; means actuated by the trigger signal transmitted by the time delay means for energizing the engine ignition means; and timing means energized by the Time delay means effective to continue transmission of the trigger signal for a predetermined time period to hold the ignition means energized.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
123 words
A system for reigniting the combustor of a gas turbine power plant upon flameout comprising, in combination, signal generating means responsive to CDP of the power plant; shaping means for generating a second signal from the first signal discriminating a level of Delta CDP as a function of CDP indicative of flameout; derivative means responsive to the first signal for generating a third signal representative of Delta CDP; comparing means responsive to the second and third signals effective to generate a flameout signal; delay means responsive to the flameout signal effective to delay transmission of the signal during initial transients in the power plant excited by the flameout; and ignition means to reignite the combustor responsive to the output of the delay means.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
123 words
A system for reigniting the combustor of a gas turbine power plant upon flameout comprising, in combination, signal generating means responsive to CDP of the power plant; shaping means for generating a second signal from the first signal discriminating a level of Delta CDP as a function of CDP indicative of flameout; derivative means responsive to the first signal for generating a third signal representative of Delta CDP; comparing means responsive to the second and third signals effective to generate a flameout signal; delay means responsive to the flameout signal effective to delay transmission of the signal during initial transients in the power plant excited by the flameout; and ignition means to reignite the combustor responsive to the output of the delay means.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
133 words
A system for reigniting the combustor of a gas turbine power plant upon flameout comprising, in combination, signal generating means responsive to CDP of the power plant; shaping means for generating a second signal from the first signal proportional to CDP above a predetermined level of CDP for discriminating a level of Delta CDP as a function of CDP indicative of flameout; derivative means responsive to the first signal for generating a third signal representative of Delta CDP; comparing means responsive to the second and third signals effective to generate a flameout signal; delay means responsive to the flameout signal effective to delay transmission of the signal during initial transients in the power plant excited by the flameout; and ignition means to reignite the combustor responsive to the output of the delay means.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
133 words
A system for reigniting the combustor of a gas turbine power plant upon flameout comprising, in combination, signal generating means responsive to CDP of the power plant; shaping means for generating a second signal from the first signal proportional to CDP above a predetermined level of CDP for discriminating a level of Delta CDP as a function of CDP indicative of flameout; derivative means responsive to the first signal for generating a third signal representative of Delta CDP; comparing means responsive to the second and third signals effective to generate a flameout signal; delay means responsive to the flameout signal effective to delay transmission of the signal during initial transients in the power plant excited by the flameout; and ignition means to reignite the combustor responsive to the output of the delay means.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
171 words
A system for reigniting the combustor of a gas turbine power plant upon flameout comprising, in combination, signal generating means responsive to CDP of the power plant; shaping means for generating a second signal from the first signal discriminating a level of Delta CDP as a function of CDP indicative of flameout; derivative means responsive to the first signal for generating a third signal representative of Delta CDP; comparing means responsive to the second and third signals effective to generate a flameout signal; delay means responsive to the flameout signal effective to delay transmission of the signal during initial decay of oscillations in the power plant excited by the flameout; ignition means to reignite the combustor responsive to the output of the delay means; timing means effective to maintain the ignition means operative for a predetermined time; and logic means effective to block flameout signals during the operation of the delay means and effective to reset the delay means upon occurrence of a flameout signal during operation of the ignition means.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
171 words
A system for reigniting the combustor of a gas turbine power plant upon flameout comprising, in combination, signal generating means responsive to CDP of the power plant; shaping means for generating a second signal from the first signal discriminating a level of Delta CDP as a function of CDP indicative of flameout; derivative means responsive to the first signal for generating a third signal representative of Delta CDP; comparing means responsive to the second and third signals effective to generate a flameout signal; delay means responsive to the flameout signal effective to delay transmission of the signal during initial decay of oscillations in the power plant excited by the flameout; ignition means to reignite the combustor responsive to the output of the delay means; timing means effective to maintain the ignition means operative for a predetermined time; and logic means effective to block flameout signals during the operation of the delay means and effective to reset the delay means upon occurrence of a flameout signal during operation of the ignition means.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
205 words
A system for reigniting the combustor of a gas turbine power plant upon flameout comprising, in combination, signal generating means responsive to CDP of the power plant; shaping means for generating a second signal from the first signal discriminating a level of Delta CDP as a function of CDP indicative of flameout; derivative means responsive to the first signal for generating a third signal representative of Delta CDP; comparing means responsive to the second and third signals effective to generate a flameout signal; momentary delay means energized by the flameout signal effective to screen out ephermeral spurious flameout signals, first logic means responsive to the output of the momentary delay means; second delay means responsive to the output of the first logic means effective to delay transmission of the signal during initial decay of oscillations in the power plant excited by the flameout; ignition means to reignite the combustor responsive to the output of the delay means; timing means effective to maintain the ignition means operative for a predetermined time; and second logic means effective to block flameout Signals during the operation of the delay means and effective to reset the delay means upon occurrence of a flameout signal during operation of the ignition means.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
205 words
A system for reigniting the combustor of a gas turbine power plant upon flameout comprising, in combination, signal generating means responsive to CDP of the power plant; shaping means for generating a second signal from the first signal discriminating a level of Delta CDP as a function of CDP indicative of flameout; derivative means responsive to the first signal for generating a third signal representative of Delta CDP; comparing means responsive to the second and third signals effective to generate a flameout signal; momentary delay means energized by the flameout signal effective to screen out ephermeral spurious flameout signals, first logic means responsive to the output of the momentary delay means; second delay means responsive to the output of the first logic means effective to delay transmission of the signal during initial decay of oscillations in the power plant excited by the flameout; ignition means to reignite the combustor responsive to the output of the delay means; timing means effective to maintain the ignition means operative for a predetermined time; and second logic means effective to block flameout Signals during the operation of the delay means and effective to reset the delay means upon occurrence of a flameout signal during operation of the ignition means.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
224 words
A system for reigniting the combustor of a gas turbine power plant upon flameout comprising, in combination, signal generating means responsive to CDP of the power plant; shaping means for generating a second signal from the first signal discriminating a level of Delta CDP as a function of CDP indicative of flameout; derivative means responsive to the first signal for generating a third signal representative of Delta CDP; comparing means responsive to the second and third signals effective to generate a flameout signal; momentary delay means energized by the flameout signal effective to screen out ephemeral spurious flameout signals; first logic means responsive to the output of the momentary delay means effective to hold the flameout signal; second delay means responsive to the output of the first logic means effective to delay transmission of the signal during initial decay of oscillations in the power plant excited by the flameout; ignition means to reignite the combustor responsive to the output of the delay means; timing means effective to maintain the ignition means operative for a predetermined time and to release the first logic means upon expiration of the predetermined time; and second logic means effective to block flameout signals during the operation of the delay means and effective to reset the delay means upon occurrence of a flameout signal during operation of the ignition means.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
224 words
A system for reigniting the combustor of a gas turbine power plant upon flameout comprising, in combination, signal generating means responsive to CDP of the power plant; shaping means for generating a second signal from the first signal discriminating a level of Delta CDP as a function of CDP indicative of flameout; derivative means responsive to the first signal for generating a third signal representative of Delta CDP; comparing means responsive to the second and third signals effective to generate a flameout signal; momentary delay means energized by the flameout signal effective to screen out ephemeral spurious flameout signals; first logic means responsive to the output of the momentary delay means effective to hold the flameout signal; second delay means responsive to the output of the first logic means effective to delay transmission of the signal during initial decay of oscillations in the power plant excited by the flameout; ignition means to reignite the combustor responsive to the output of the delay means; timing means effective to maintain the ignition means operative for a predetermined time and to release the first logic means upon expiration of the predetermined time; and second logic means effective to block flameout signals during the operation of the delay means and effective to reset the delay means upon occurrence of a flameout signal during operation of the ignition means.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
96 words
A system for reigniting the combustor of a gas turbine power plant upon flameout comprising, in combination, signal generating means responsive to CDP of the power plant; shaping means for generating a second signal from the first signal discriminating a level of Delta CDP as a function of CDP indicative of flameout; derivative means responsive to the first signal for generating a third signal representative of Delta CDP; comparing means responsive to the second and third signals effective to generate a flameout signal; and ignition means effective to reignite the combustor responsive to the flameout signal.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
96 words
A system for reigniting the combustor of a gas turbine power plant upon flameout comprising, in combination, signal generating means responsive to CDP of the power plant; shaping means for generating a second signal from the first signal discriminating a level of Delta CDP as a function of CDP indicative of flameout; derivative means responsive to the first signal for generating a third signal representative of Delta CDP; comparing means responsive to the second and third signals effective to generate a flameout signal; and ignition means effective to reignite the combustor responsive to the flameout signal.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
137 words
A system for reigniting the combustor of a gas turbine power plant upon flameout comprising, in combination, signal generating means responsive to CDP of the power plant; shaping means for generating a second signal from the first signal discriminating a level of Delta CDP as a function of CDP indicative of flameout; derivative means responsive to the first signal for generating a third signal representative of Delta CDP; comparing means responsive to the second and third signals effective to generate a flameout signal; ignition means effective to reignite the combustor responsive to the flameout signal; timing means effective to maintain the ignition means operative for a predetermined time; and means effective to reset the timing means and reenergize the ignition means after a predetermined delay upon occurrence of a flameout signal during operation of the ignition means.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
137 words
A system for reigniting the combustor of a gas turbine power plant upon flameout comprising, in combination, signal generating means responsive to CDP of the power plant; shaping means for generating a second signal from the first signal discriminating a level of Delta CDP as a function of CDP indicative of flameout; derivative means responsive to the first signal for generating a third signal representative of Delta CDP; comparing means responsive to the second and third signals effective to generate a flameout signal; ignition means effective to reignite the combustor responsive to the flameout signal; timing means effective to maintain the ignition means operative for a predetermined time; and means effective to reset the timing means and reenergize the ignition means after a predetermined delay upon occurrence of a flameout signal during operation of the ignition means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-15 | 1977-04-16 | 1977-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-15 | 1981-04-16 | 1981-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-15 | 1985-04-16 | 1985-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |