Engine control device and methods thereof
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorsDonald E Grove, James K. Berry
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An engine control device may comprise a processor and a memory. The engine control device may be configured to modify a fuel flow based on a density of the fuel proximate a fuel nozzle. The engine control device may include a densimeter embedded in, or disposed proximate, the engine control device. The engine control device may include a temperature sensor embedded in, or disposed proximate, the engine control device. The engine control device may be electrically coupled to a fuel valve and/or configured to modulate the fuel valve based on a density of the fuel at the fuel valve.
Claims20
An engine control device, comprising:
- a housing;
- a fluid conduit disposed through the housing, the fluid conduit configured to receive fuel during operation of the engine control device;
- and
- a densimeter operably coupled to the fluid conduit, the densimeter being disposed in the housing and configured to determine a density of the fuel.
A fuel flow control system for a gas turbine engine, the fuel flow control system comprising:
- a fuel supply;
- a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the fuel supply;
- an engine control device in fluid communication with the fuel supply;
- a densimeter operably coupled to the fluid conduit;
- a first temperature sensor operably coupled to the fluid conduit;
- a fuel nozzle in fluid communication with the fuel supply;
- and
- a second temperature sensor disposed between the fuel nozzle and the fuel supply.
A method of controlling a fuel flow in a gas turbine engine, the method comprising:
- measuring a first fuel temperature at a first location;
- measuring a first fuel density proximate the first location;
- measuring a second fuel temperature at a second location;
- calculating a second fuel density at the second location based on the second fuel temperature, the first fuel temperature, and the first fuel density;
- and
- modifying the fuel flow at the second location in response to calculating the second fuel density.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.