High temperature gas stream optical flame sensor
AssigneeAmetek Aerospace Products, Inc.
InventorsDiedre E. Cusack, William M. Glasheen, George P. Sacco, Jr., Helmar R. Steglich
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Abstract
A high temperature gas stream optical flame sensor for flame detection in gas turbine engines, the sensor generally comprising a silicon carbide photodiode and silicon carbide based amplification hardware for generating a signal indicative of the presence of the flame, in some embodiments the photodiode and amplification hardware being disposed within a sensor housing, in another embodiment for use in an aeroderivative premixed combustion system, the photodiode being situated within a fuel/air premixer.
Claims8
A high temperature gas stream optical flame sensor for detecting the presence of one of a combustion flame and an afterburner flame in a gas turbine engine, comprising:
- silicon carbide detector means responsive to electromagnetic radiation from the flame for generating a proportional photocurrent wherein said detector means comprises:
- a ceramic header;
- a silicon carbide photodiode mounted on said header and responsive to the electromagnetic radiation from the flame in the spectral range .lambda. of from about 190 to 400 nanometers;
- and
- a detector housing for said header having optical means disposed near one end thereof for concentrating the electromagnetic radiation from the flame on said photodiode;
- silicon carbide amplification means for amplifying said photocurrent and for generating a signal indicative of the presence of the flame;
- and
- a sensor housing attachable to said gas turbine engine and having said detector means and said amplification means disposed therein.
A high temperature gas stream optical flame sensor for detecting the presence of the combustion flame in a gas turbine engine, wherein said gas turbine engine includes a premixed combustion system having at least one fuel-air premixer in which fuel and air are premixed prior to combustion, said fuel-air premixer including a center body fairing, said optical flame sensor comprising:
- silicon carbide detector means responsive to electromagnetic radiation from the flame for generating a proportional photocurrent, said detector means comprising:
- a ceramic header;
- a silicon carbide photodiode responsive to the electromagnetic radiation from the flame in the spectral range .lambda. of from about 190 to 400 nanometers mounted on said header;
- and a detector housing for said header having optical means disposed near one end thereof for concentrating the electromagnetic radiation from the flame on said photodiode;
- said detector means being disposed within said center body fairing of said fuel-air premixer.
A high temperature gas stream optical flame sensor for detecting the presence of one of a combustion flame and an afterburner flame in a gas turbine engine, comprising:
- silicon carbide detector means responsive to electromagnetic radiation from the flame for generating a proportional photocurrent, said detector means comprising:
- a ceramic header;
- a silicon carbide photodiode responsive to the electromagnetic radiation from the flame in the spectral range .lambda. of from about 190 to 400 nanometers mounted on said header;
- and a detector housing for said header having optical means disposed near one end thereof for concentrating the electromagnetic radiation from the flame on said photodiode;
- and
- a sensor housing attachable to said gas turbine engine and having said detector means disposed therein.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.