US 10,865,643 B2Granted

Method and system for a component lifetime counter

AssigneeGeneral Electric Technology GmbH

InventorsMartin Reigl, Johann Sigurd Kubel

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Abstract

A method of determining a remaining life in a component and a rotatable machine system are provided. The rotatable machine system includes a plurality of valves coupled in flow communication with a rotatable machine of the rotatable machine system, a plurality of sensors configured to receive operating parameters associated with the rotatable machine and the plurality of valves, and an online valve lifetime counter (OVLIC), including a processor communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors. The OVLIC is configured to determine a trend of differential temperature across a body of a valve of the plurality of valves, convert the trend of differential temperature to a stress induced into the valve over time, and determine life remaining in the valve based on a total damage of the valve wherein the total damage is a function of creep damage and fatigue damage to the valve.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A rotatable machine system comprising:

a plurality of valves coupled in flow communication with a rotatable machine of said rotatable machine system;
a plurality of sensors configured to receive operating parameters associated with said rotatable machine and said plurality of valves;
and
an online valve lifetime counter (OVLIC), comprising a processor communicatively coupled to said plurality of sensors, said OVLIC configured to:
receive a first temperature signal from a first temperature sensor of said plurality of temperature sensors, said first temperature sensor located at a first position on a body of a valve of said plurality of valves;
receive a second temperature signal from a second temperature sensor of said plurality of temperature sensors, said second temperature sensor located at a second position on said body of said valve;
determine at least one of an axial temperature gradient and a radial temperature gradient between the first position and the second position;
determine a stress induced into the valve over time based on the at least one of the axial temperature gradient and the radial temperature gradient;
determine a number and a severity of stress cycles acting on the valve over time;
and
determine life remaining in said valve based on a total damage of said valve wherein the total damage is a function of creep damage and fatigue damage to said valve.

8 more elements

An online valve lifetime counter (OVLIC) comprising a processor communicatively coupled to a memory device, the memory device containing instructions that when executed by said processor, cause said processor to:

receive signals relating to temperature and pressure operational parameters of a valve, including:
receiving a first temperature signal from a first temperature sensor located at a first position;
and
receiving a second temperature signal from a second temperature sensor located at a second position;
determine at least one of an axial temperature gradient and a radial temperature gradient between the first position and the second position;
determine a creep stress acting on the valve using the temperature and pressure operational parameters of the valve between a first time and a second time;
determine a number and a severity of stress cycles acting on the valve between the first time and the second time;
determine a fatigue stress acting on the valve using the temperature and pressure operational parameters of the valve;
accumulate the determined creep stress and the determined fatigue stress between the first time and the second time;
and
determine a life remaining and a life consumption rate based on the accumulated creep stress and the accumulated fatigue stress.

8 more elements

A computer-implemented method for determining a remaining life in a valve of a plurality of valves of a rotatable machine, the method implemented using a processor coupled to a user interface and a memory device, the method comprising:

receiving information indicative of a total creep stress acting in the valve over time, including:
receiving information indicative of a creep stress in the valve acting in a first direction in the valve over time;
receiving information indicative of a creep stress in the valve acting in a second direction in the valve over time;
and
determining the total creep stress over time using the received information;
receiving information indicative of a total fatigue stress acting in the valve over time;
determining a total stress acting in the valve over time using the received information;
and
determining a life remaining in the valve and a consumption rate of the determined life remaining.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/159,827Filed 15 Oct 2018
Published: US 2020/0116024 A116 Apr 2020
Granted: 15 Dec 2020
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification15 codes

F01D 1/26
Characterised by counter-rotating rotors subjected to same working fluid stream without intermediate stator blades or the like: traversed by the…
F01D 17/145
By means of shiftable members or valves obturating part of the flow path: by means of valves, e.g. for steam turbines
F01D 21/003
Shutting-down of machines or engines, e.g. in emergency; Regulating, controlling, or safety means not otherwise provided for: arrangements for…
F16K 37/0083
For recording or indicating the functioning of a valve in combination with test equipment: by measuring valve parameters

Family

US 2020/0116024 A1Pre-grant publication · published 16 Apr 2020
US 10,865,643 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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