Cooling system and method for a turbomachine

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention provides a cooling system for a flame detection system of a turbomachine. An embodiment of the present invention may provide a control system for the operation of the cooling system. The control system may be configured to automatically and/or continuously monitor the cooling system to determine whether the position of the at least one valve should be changed. An embodiment of the present invention may provide a method for monitoring the cooling system. The method of an embodiment of the present invention may provide a correction action if the cooling system is not operating within a parameter.

1 . A cooling system for a turbomachine, the system comprising:
 a cooling circuit configured for delivering a coolant to at least one flame detection system, wherein a portion of the flame detection system is installed on a turbomachine;   at least one device for determining a physical property of the coolant; and   a control system for operating the cooling system; wherein, the control system receives data from the at least one device.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one valve configured for allowing the coolant to flow to the at least one flame detection system. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the control system determines the position of the at least one valve. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a turbomachine, wherein the turbomachine comprises a casing, and wherein a portion of the cooling circuit extends over the casing. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the casing comprises at least one combustion can and wherein the at least one flame detection system is integrated with the at least one combustion can. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the physical property comprises at least one of: a pressure, a flowrate, or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one heat exchanging device for regulating a temperature of the at least one flame detection system. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one device comprises at least one of: a pressure switch, a pressure transmitter, a pressure transducer, a flow meter, or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one valve comprises at least one of: a solenoid valve, a motor operated valve, or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       10 . A method of operating a cooling system for a turbomachine, the method comprising:
 providing a cooling system which comprises: a cooling circuit configured to deliver a coolant to at least one flame detection system, wherein a portion of the flame detection system is installed on a turbomachine;   receiving data on a cooling system parameter; wherein the cooling system parameter comprises a physical property of the coolant;   determining whether the data is within an allowable range; and   initiating a corrective action if the data is outside of the allowable range.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of providing the corrective action comprises modulating at least one cooling system valve. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of providing the corrective action comprises:
 isolating the cooling system;   generating a notification;   determining whether the notification is acknowledged;   providing a corrective action if the corrective action is acknowledged; or   initiating a shutdown sequence of the turbomachine.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the cooling system valve is configured for allowing the coolant to flow to the at least one flame detection system. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising determining an operation position of the cooling system valve. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the turbomachine comprises a casing, and a portion of the cooling circuit extends over the casing. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the casing comprises at least one combustion can and integrating the at least one flame detection system with the at least one combustion can. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the physical property comprises at least one of a pressure, a flowrate, or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising utilizing at least one heat exchanging device for regulating a temperature of the coolant. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising utilizing at least one device to provide data on the cooling system parameter, wherein the at least one device comprises at least one of: a pressure switch, a pressure transmitter, a pressure transducer, a flow meter, or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the cooling system valve comprises at least one of: a solenoid valve, a motor operated valve, or combinations thereof.