# US 10,871,081 B2 · Creep damage indicator module for a valve and actuator monitoring system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,871,081 B2 - Document ID: US10871081B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/471,829 - Filed: 2017-03-28 - Published: 2018-03-01 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2016-08-31 - Assignees: General Electric Technology GmbH - Applicants: General Electric Technology GmbH - Inventors: Martin Reigl - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10871081B2 ## CPC - F01D 21/003: {Arrangements for testing or measuring (for measuring vibrations G01H)} - F01D 17/145: {by means of valves, e.g. for steam turbines (valves in general F16K)} - F01D 17/24: electrical - G05B 13/041: {in which a variable is automatically adjusted to optimise the performance} - F05D 2220/31: in steam turbines - F05D 2260/80: Diagnostics - F05D 2270/11: to prolong engine life - F05D 2270/301: Pressure - F05D 2270/303: Temperature - G05B 23/0235: {based on a comparison with predetermined threshold or range, e.g. "classical methods", carried out during normal operation; threshold adaptation or choice; when or how to compare with the threshold} - G05B 23/0283: {Predictive maintenance, e.g. involving the monitoring of a system and, based on the monitoring results, taking decisions on the maintenance schedule of the monitored system; Estimating remaining useful life [RUL] (preventive maintenance, i.e. planning maintenance according to the available resources without monitoring the system G06Q10/06)} - F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D) - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) - F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS ## Abstract The present application provides a method of evaluating valve creep damage in a turbine by a data acquisition system. The method may include the steps of receiving a number of operating parameters from a number of sensors including steam temperatures and steam pressures about the valve over time, generating a design material model for the valve, determining an indicator for consumed creep lifetime based on the steam temperature and steam pressures about the valve over time as compared to the design material model, and altering one or more of the operating parameters and/or initiating repair procedures based upon the consumed creep lifetime indicator. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of evaluating valve creep damage in a turbine by a data acquisition system, comprising: receiving a plurality of operating parameters from a plurality of sensors including steam temperatures and steam pressures about the valve over time; generating a design material model of an intended material lifetime for the valve based at least in part on a nominal steam temperature, a nominal steam pressure, and a design intended lifetime; determining, using the design material model, an end of life value at which (i) a material stress is equal to the nominal steam pressure, and (ii) a metal temperature is equal to the nominal steam temperature; determining an indicator for consumed creep lifetime based on the steam temperatures and steam pressures about the valve over time as compared to the design material model; determining an indicator for consumed creep damage based on the steam temperatures and steam pressures about the valve over time as compared to the design material model; and altering one or more of the plurality of operating parameters or initiating repair procedures based upon the consumed creep lifetime indicator. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising initiating repair procedures if the consumed creep lifetime indicator exceeds a predetermined value. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of altering one or more of the plurality of operating parameters or initiating repair procedures comprises taking the valve out of service. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of altering one or more of the plurality of operating procedures or initiating repair procedures comprises altering steam temperature about the valve. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of altering one or more of the plurality of operating procedures or initiating repair procedures comprises altering steam pressure about the valve. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of altering one or more of the plurality of operating procedures or initiating repair procedures comprises ordering parts. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving a plurality of operating parameters from a plurality of sensors comprises receiving valve metal temperatures over time. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the step of determining an indicator for consumed creep lifetime relative to the end of life value comprises valve metal temperatures over time. ### Claim 9 A turbine system, comprising: a plurality of valves; a plurality of sensors capable of receiving turbine and valve operating parameters; and a data acquisition system, including a processor in communication with the plurality of sensors and wherein the data acquisition system is operable to perform the following operations: receiving the plurality of turbine and valve operating parameters from the plurality of sensors including steam temperatures and steam pressures about the plurality of valves over time; generating a design material model of an intended material lifetime for the plurality of valves, wherein the generation of the design material model is based at least in part on a nominal steam temperature, a nominal steam pressure, and a design intended lifetime; determining, using the design material model, an end of life value at which (i) a material stress is equal to the nominal steam pressure, and (ii) a metal temperature is equal to the nominal steam temperature; determining an indicator for consumed creep lifetime based on the steam temperatures and steam pressures about the plurality of valves over time as compared to the design material model; determining an indicator for consumed creep damage based on the steam temperatures and steam pressures about the valve over time as compared to the design material model; altering one or more of the plurality of turbine and valve operating parameters based upon the consumed creep lifetime indicator; and providing a warning if the consumed creep lifetime indicator exceeds a predetermined value. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The turbine system of claim 9, wherein the data acquisition system is further operable to alter one or more of the plurality of turbine and valve operating parameters if the consumed creep lifetime indicator exceeds the predetermined value. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The turbine system of claim 9, wherein the data acquisition system is further operable to take one or more of the plurality of valves out of service if the consumed creep lifetime indicator exceeds the predetermined value. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The turbine system of claim 9, wherein the data acquisition system is further operable to initiate repair procedures or to order parts if the consumed creep lifetime indicator exceeds the predetermined value. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The turbine system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of valves comprises one or more steam stop valves and one or more steam control valves.