Variable composition gas mixture sensor
AssigneeClearsign Technologies Corporation
InventorsRobert Geiger, Jackson Matthew Pleis, Donald Kendrick, Christopher A. Wiklof
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for measuring a fuel-oxidant equivalence ratio includes at least one wall defining a gas volume including fuel and air. A gas ionization source is configured to cause a formation of ions in the gas. A power supply is configured to output a time-varying voltage. A first electrode is disposed in the gas volume, operatively coupled to the power supply, and configured to carry the time-varying voltage. A second electrode is arranged to operatively couple to a signal output by the first electrode after the signal passes through the gas volume. Characteristics of the received signal indicate the fuel-oxidant equivalence ratio.
Claims40
A system for measuring a fuel-oxidant equivalence ratio, comprising:
- at least one wall defining a gas volume, the gas including fuel and air;
- a gas ionization source configured to cause a formation of ions in the gas;
- a power supply configured to output a time-varying voltage;
- a first electrode disposed in the gas volume, operatively coupled to the power supply, and configured to carry the time-varying voltage;
- a second electrode, arranged to operatively couple to a signal from the first electrode through at least a portion of the gas volume;
- a receiver circuit operatively coupled to the second electrode and configured to receive the signal, the signal having a characteristic corresponding to the fuel-oxidant equivalence ratio within the gas volume;
- and
- a control circuit operatively coupled to the receiver circuit, configured to determine a value corresponding to the fuel-oxidant equivalence ratio.
A system for measuring a fuel-oxidant equivalence ratio, comprising:
- at least one wall defining a gas volume, the gas including fuel and air;
- a gas ionization source configured to cause a formation of ions in the gas;
- a power supply configured to output a time-varying voltage;
- a first electrode disposed in the gas volume, operatively coupled to the power supply, and configured to carry the time-varying voltage;
- a second electrode, arranged to operatively couple to a signal from the first electrode through at least a portion of the gas volume;
- a receiver circuit operatively coupled to the second electrode and configured to receive the signal, the signal having a characteristic corresponding to the fuel-oxidant equivalence ratio within the gas volume;
- a control circuit operatively coupled to the receiver circuit, configured to determine a value corresponding to the fuel-oxidant equivalence ratio;
- a purging system;
- wherein the control circuit is configured to actuate the purging system to purge fuel vapor and/or oxidant from the gas volume when the fuel-oxidant equivalence ratio is determined to be within the flammability limits;
- wherein the purging system comprises:
- an inert gas source;
- and
- a purge control valve;
- wherein the control circuit is configured to actuate the purge control valve when the fuel-oxidant equivalence ratio is determined to be within the flammability limits.
A method for measuring a fuel-oxidant equivalence ratio, comprising:
- causing ion formation in a gas including fuel and oxidant;
- applying a periodic voltage signal to a first electrode adjacent to the gas;
- receiving a periodic response signal through the gas with a second electrode, the periodic response signal being produced according to a response of the ions to the periodic voltage signal;
- converting the periodic response signal to a corresponding digital signal;
- receiving a sensor signal corresponding to a parameter of the gas;
- applying the digital signal and the sensor signal as arguments for a function;
- and
- determining a value of the function corresponding to the fuel-oxidant equivalence ratio.
A method for measuring a fuel-oxidant equivalence ratio, comprising:
- causing ion formation in a gas including fuel and oxidant;
- applying a periodic voltage signal to a first electrode adjacent to the gas;
- receiving a periodic response signal through the gas with a second electrode, the periodic response signal being produced according to a response of the ions to the periodic voltage signal;
- converting the periodic response signal to a corresponding digital signal,
- receiving a sensor signal corresponding to a parameter of the gas;
- applying the digital signal and the sensor signal as arguments for a function;
- and
- determining a value of the function corresponding to the fuel-oxidant equivalence ratio, wherein the causing ion formation in the gas comprises operating an ionizer, and further comprising:
- determining a fuel-oxidant equivalence ratio within a combustion limit of the fuel;
- and
- actuating a valve to change the fuel-air equivalence ratio to a ratio outside the combustion limit of the fuel;
- wherein the actuating the valve comprises purging the gas with an inert gas.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.