Plasma ignition and combustion assist system for gas turbine engines
US12037948B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 18, 2023 |
| Grant date | Jul 16, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 18, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF23R2900/00008
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An ignition and combustion assist system and method comprising a plasma igniter and electronic driver unit for use with gas turbine engines operating under low air densities, reduced voltage conditions and overall pressure ratios of 3:1 to 7:1. The plasma igniter has an inner chamber housing a centrally positioned and electrically isolated electrode attached to an electrical lead, driver unit, and AC or DC power supply. The electrode features a corner positioned near an outlet end of the igniter, where a plasma arc ignites a fuel-air mixture creating a flame extending into a primary burn region of a combustor of the gas turbine. The driver unit is in two embodiments and configured with low-cost microsecond voltage wave time periods or energy-efficient nano-second pulses. The method uses the plasma igniter and the electronic driver units described herein separately with other components or together.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.