US 5,971,747 AGranted

Automatically optimized combustion control

OwnerJerome H. Lemelson, Robert D. Pedersen +1inventors

InventorsJerome H. Lemelson, Robert D. Pedersen, John H. Hiett

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Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed that optimize the combustion process in various reactors, furnaces, and internal combustion engines. Video cameras are used to evaluate the combustion flame grade. Depending on the desired form, standard or special video devices, or beam scanning devices, are used to image the combustion flame and by-products. The video device generates and outputs image signals during various phases of, and at various locations in, the combustion process. Other forms of sensors monitor and generate data signals defining selected parameters of the combustion process, such as air flow, fuel flow, turbulence, exhaust and inlet valve openings, etc. In a preferred form, a neural networks initially processes the image data and characterizes the combustion flame. A fuzzy logic controller and associated fuzzy logic rule base analyzes the image data from the neural network, along with other sensor information. The fuzzy logic controller determines and generates control signals defining adjustments necessary to optimize the combustion process.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A method for controlling parameters of a combustion process comprising the acts of:

(a) directing an imaging device at the combustion process;
(b) activating the imaging device to view the combustion process and generate an imaging output signal that varies in accordance with variations in the combustion process;
(c) operating additional sensors to monitor other parameters of the combustion process and to generate sensor outputs that vary in accordance with variations in the combustion process;
(d) inputting the output signal from the imaging device to a computer processor having at least a part thereof configured as a neural network;
(e) operating the neural network to process the output signal and to generate a combustion classification signal defining a parameter of the combustion process;
(f) inputting the combustion classification signal and the sensor outputs to a decision analysis computer having at least a part thereof configured as a fuzzy logic controller with associated fuzzy inference rules defining combustion control actions depending on various combinations of sensor outputs and flame grade classification;
(g) operating the decision analysis computer to:
(i) analyze the combustion classification signal and sensor outputs in accordance with the fuzzy inference rules to determine appropriate combustion control actions to optimize the combustion process depending on various combinations of the sensor outputs and combustion classification signals;
and (ii) generate combustion control signals defining adjustments to at least one combustion parameter;
and
(i) applying the combustion control signals to adjust at least one combustion parameter.

8 more elements

A system for controlling parameters of a combustion process taking place within a combustion chamber, comprising:

(a) an imaging device mounted proximate to the combustion chamber in a manner so that it is capable of viewing the combustion process, the imaging device including a detection circuit coupled to an output circuit, and configured to generate electrical image signals on the output circuit that vary with variations in the combustion process;
(b) a control circuit coupled to and configured to activate the imaging device to begin imaging the combustion process;
(c) a plurality of additional sensors configured to monitor other parameters of the combustion process, each sensor including an output circuit that generates sensor outputs that vary in accordance with variations in sensed parameters of the combustion process;
(d) a computer processor having (i) an input coupled to the output of the imaging device, (ii) logic configured as a neural network, and (iii) memory storing a program that, when executed by the network, processes the imaging output signal to generate a combustion classification signal defining a parameter of the combustion process;
(e) a decision analysis computer having (i) an input coupled to the computer processor that receives the combustion classification signals;
(ii) logic configured as a fuzzy controller;
(iii) memory storing a fuzzy inference rule program that, when executed by the fuzzy controller, analyzes the combustion classification signals and the sensor outputs to determine and generate combustion control signals defining combustion control actions that vary depending on various combinations of sensor outputs and flame grade classification;
(f) a plurality of combustion control devices configured to vary parameters of the combustion process, each combustion control device including a signal input;
and
(g) wherein the decision analysis computer includes an output coupled to the inputs of the combustion control devices and is configured to communicate the combustion control signals from the fuzzy controller to the combustion control devices to adjust combustion parameters and optimize the combustion process.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.