System and method for determining a flame condition in a combustor

Abstract

A system for determining a flame condition in a combustor includes a pressure sensor that generates a pressure signal reflective of a pressure in the combustor. A controller receives the pressure signal and generates a flame signal reflective of the flame condition in the combustor. A method for determining a flame condition in a combustor includes measuring a pressure in the combustor, comparing the measured pressure in the combustor to a predetermined limit, and generating a flame signal based on the comparison of the measured pressure in the combustor to the predetermined limit, wherein the flame signal reflects the flame condition in the combustor.

1 . A system for determining a flame condition in a combustor comprising:
 a. a pressure sensor, wherein said pressure sensor generates a pressure signal reflective of a pressure in the combustor;   b. a controller, wherein said controller receives said pressure signal from said pressure sensor and generates a flame signal reflective of the flame condition in the combustor.   
     
     
         2 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein said controller compares said pressure signal to a predetermined limit. 
     
     
         3 . The system as in  claim 2 , wherein said predetermined limit comprises a predetermined pressure. 
     
     
         4 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein said pressure sensor generates a plurality of pressure signals to said controller, wherein each of said plurality of pressure signals reflects the pressure in the combustor at a different time. 
     
     
         5 . The system as in  claim 4 , wherein said controller receives said plurality of pressure signals from said pressure sensor and generates said flame signal reflective of the flame condition in the combustor. 
     
     
         6 . The system as in  claim 4 , wherein said controller compares said plurality of pressure signals to a predetermined profile. 
     
     
         7 . The system as in  claim 6 , wherein said predetermined profile comprises a predetermined pressure profile. 
     
     
         8 . The system as in  claim 1 , further comprising an igniter that receives said flame signal. 
     
     
         9 . A system for determining a flame condition in a combustor comprising:
 a. a pressure sensor, wherein said pressure sensor generates a series of time indexed pressure signals reflective of pressures in the combustor at different times;   b. a controller, wherein said controller receives said time indexed pressure signals from said pressure sensor and generates a flame signal reflective of the flame condition in the combustor.   
     
     
         10 . The system as in  claim 9 , wherein said controller compares said time indexed pressure signals to a predetermined profile. 
     
     
         11 . The system as in  claim 10 , wherein said predetermined profile comprises a predetermined pressure profile. 
     
     
         12 . The system as in  claim 9 , further comprising an igniter that receives said flame signal. 
     
     
         13 . A method for determining a flame condition in a combustor comprising:
 a. measuring a pressure in the combustor;   b. comparing the measured pressure in the combustor to a predetermined limit;   c. generating a flame signal based on the comparison of the measured pressure in the combustor to the predetermined limit, wherein the flame signal reflects the flame condition in the combustor.   
     
     
         14 . The method as in  claim 13 , further comprising transmitting the flame signal to an igniter. 
     
     
         15 . The method as in  claim 13 , further comprising transmitting the flame signal to a compressor. 
     
     
         16 . The method as in  claim 13 , further comprising transmitting the flame signal to a fuel system. 
     
     
         17 . The method as in  claim 13 , further comprising transmitting the flame signal to a generator. 
     
     
         18 . The method as in  claim 13 , further comprising measuring a plurality of pressures in the combustor at different times. 
     
     
         19 . The method as in  claim 18 , further comprising generating the flame signal based on the plurality of measured pressures in the combustor, wherein the flame signal is reflective of the flame condition in the combustor. 
     
     
         20 . The method as in  claim 18 , further comprising comparing the plurality of pressures to a predetermined profile.