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US 10,851,728 B2Granted
Engine overspeed device and method
AssigneeGas Activated Systems
InventorsMichael A. Bryan, Jerry W. Noles
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods, systems and devices for evaluating incoming air to an engine for concentrations of explosive or combustible gases, and shutting down the engine to prevent an overspeed condition when elevated concentrations are detected. In some embodiments engine shutdown may be achieved conventionally via an electronic kill signal and in emergency conditions by the shutoff of incoming air to an air intake. The ability to make decisions based on explosive gas concentrations and species and the use of networking to allow additional systems to take action even before explosive gases reach said other valve-sensor devices can provide additional safety.
Claims19
A method of preventing an overspeed condition in an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:
- evaluating incoming air to a first internal combustion engine with a sensor to detect a concentration of at least one flammable gas in the incoming air;
- determining whether the detected concentration of the at least one flammable gas is at a concentration between a first threshold concentration and a second threshold concentration, wherein the second threshold concentration is larger than the first threshold concentration;
- transmitting a first signal to shut down the first internal combustion engine by shutting off fuel when the detected concentration is between the first threshold concentration and the second threshold concentration;
- determining whether the detected concentration of the at least one flammable gas is above the second threshold concentration;
- and
- transmitting a second signal to shut down the first internal combustion engine causing a valve to close and terminate all airflow into the first internal combustion engine's air intake when the detected concentration is above the second threshold concentration.
3 more elements
A method of preventing overspeed conditions in internal combustion engines at a facility where airborne flammable gases may be present, the method comprising:
- providing at least a first system in communicative contact with a control system for at least a first internal combustion engine, the at least a first system comprising
- at least one sensor for evaluating incoming air to the at least first internal combustion engine to detect a concentration of at least one flammable gas in the incoming air at the first internal combustion engine,
- a first controller for determining whether the detected concentration of the at least one flammable gas is at concentration above at least a first threshold concentration,
- a first relay for transmitting a transmitting a signal to shut down the first internal combustion engine, and
- a first communications assembly;
- evaluating incoming air to the first internal combustion with the first system to detect a concentration of at least one flammable gas in the incoming air;
- determining whether the detected concentration of the at least one flammable gas is at concentration between a first threshold concentration and a second threshold concentration;
- wherein the second threshold concentration is larger than the first threshold concentration at the first system;
- transmitting a first signal to shut down the first internal combustion engine by shutting off fuel when the detected concentration between the first threshold concentration and the second threshold concentration;
- determining whether the detected concentration of the at least one flammable gas is above the second threshold concentration;
- and
- transmitting a second signal to shut down the first internal combustion engine causing a valve to close and terminate all airflow into the first internal combustion engine's air intake when the detected concentration is above the second threshold concentration.
9 more elements
A system for preventing overspeed conditions in internal combustion engines at a facility where airborne flammable gases may be present comprising:
- at least a first sensor and control assembly comprising
- at least one sensor for evaluating incoming air to an at least first internal combustion engine to detect a concentration of at least one flammable gas in the incoming air at the first internal combustion engine,
- a first controller configured for determining whether the detected concentration of the at least one flammable gas is at concentration between a first threshold concentration, wherein the second threshold concentration is larger than the first threshold concentration;
- determining whether the detected concentration of the at least one flammable gas is at concentration between a first threshold concentration and a second threshold concentration;
- wherein the second threshold concentration is larger than the first threshold concentration at the first system;
- transmitting a first signal to shut down the first internal combustion engine by shutting off fuel when the detected concentration between the first threshold concentration and the second threshold concentration;
- determining whether the detected concentration of the at least one flammable gas is above the second threshold concentration;
- and
- transmitting a second signal to shut down the first internal combustion engine causing a valve to close and terminate all airflow into the first internal combustion engine's air intake when the detected concentration is above the second threshold concentration;
- a first relay for transmitting a first signal to shut down the first internal combustion engine by shutting off fuel when the detected concentration between the first threshold concentration and the second threshold concentration;
- transmitting a second signal to shut down the first internal combustion engine causing a valve to close and terminate all airflow into the first internal combustion engine's air intake when the detected concentration is above the second threshold concentration, and
- a first communications assembly;
- the first sensor and control assembly in communicative contact with a control system for the at least first internal combustion engine.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.