# US 9,435,690 B2 · Ultra-violet flame detector with high temperature remote sensing element > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,435,690 B2 - Document ID: US9435690B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/488,731 - Filed: 2012-06-05 - Published: 2013-12-05 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2012-06-05 - Assignees: General Electric Company - Applicants: Alan Rex Hoffman; Fred Yu-Feng Chou; Frederick Louis Glesius - Inventors: Alan Rex Hoffman; Fred Yu-Feng Chou; Frederick Louis Glesius - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9435690B2 ## CPC - G01J 5/0088: {in turbines} - F23M 11/045: {by observing the flame} - F23N 5/082: {using electronic means} - G01J 1/429: {applied to measurement of ultraviolet light (using counting tubes G01T)} - G01J 5/0014: {for sensing the radiation from gases, flames} - G01J 5/025: {Interfacing a pyrometer to an external device or network; User interface} - G01J 5/045: {Sealings; Vacuum enclosures; Encapsulated packages; Wafer bonding structures; Getter arrangements (getter arrangements per se H10W76/48, H10P36/03)} - G01J 5/068: by controlling parameters other than temperature - F23N 5/08: using light-sensitive elements - F23N 2229/00: Flame sensors - F23N 2231/06: for flame failures - G01J 5/0806: Focusing or collimating elements, e.g. lenses or concave mirrors - G01J 5/0875: Windows; Arrangements for fastening thereof - Y02T 50/60: Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft - G01J: MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY (light sources F21, H01J, H01K, H05B; investigating properties of materials by optical means G01N) - F23M: CASINGS, LININGS, WALLS OR DOORS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR COMBUSTION CHAMBERS, e.g. FIREBRIDGES; DEVICES FOR DEFLECTING AIR, FLAMES OR COMBUSTION PRODUCTS IN COMBUSTION CHAMBERS; SAFETY ARRANGEMENTS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR COMBUSTION APPARATUS; DETAILS OF COMBUSTION CHAMBERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F23N: REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION (control devices specially adapted for combustion apparatus in which combustion takes place in a fluidised bed of fuel or other particles F23C10/28; condition responsive controls for regulating combustion in domestic stoves with open fires for solid fuel F24B1/187) - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION ## Abstract A flame sensor apparatus is provided including a sensor assembly for sensing characteristics of a flame within a combustion chamber. The flame sensor apparatus further includes an electrical assembly that is electrically remote from the sensor assembly. In addition, a cable assembly extends between the sensor assembly and the electrical assembly. The cable assembly can convey the characteristics of the flame from the photodiode to the electrical assembly. The cable assembly is included as part of a sealed array filled with an inert gas. In addition, a method of sensing characteristics of a flame is also provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A flame sensor apparatus for flame sensing within a turbine, the apparatus including: a sensor assembly entirely located within the turbine at a first location, which is within the turbine, having a first, relatively elevated temperature, the sensor assembly including a photodiode, at the first location, for sensing characteristics of a flame within a combustion chamber of the turbine, the combustion chamber having an outer wall and an opening within the outer wall, the sensor assembly being located outside of the combustion chamber and sensing characteristics of the flame within the combustion chamber of the turbine through the opening, the photodiode outputting an electrical photocurrent that has an electrical current value that is indicative of the characteristics of the flame and the sensor assembly including an electrical wire, at the first location, electrically connected to the photodiode to receive the electrical photocurrent output from the photodiode and electrically convey the electrical photocurrent; an electrical assembly that is electrically remote from the sensor assembly at a second location, outside of the turbine away from the first location, and having a second temperature relatively lower than the first temperature at the first location; and an electric cable assembly extending from the sensor assembly, at the first location, to the electrical assembly, at the second location, and transitioning from the first location having the relatively elevated temperature to the second location having the relatively lower temperature, the electric cable assembly including an electrical cable electrically connected to the electrical wire of the sensor assembly and being configured to electrically convey the photocurrent, that is indicative of the characteristics of the flame, from the photodiode, and electrically conveyed by the electrical wire of the sensor assembly, to the electrical assembly. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The flame sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein the characteristics of the flame include the presence and absence of the flame within the combustion chamber. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The flame sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly includes a lens positioned within an internal chamber of the sensor assembly, the lens being configured to focus electromagnetic radiation energy from the combustion chamber onto the photodiode. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The flame sensor apparatus of claim 3, wherein the photodiode includes a silicon carbide photodiode. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The flame sensor apparatus of claim 4, wherein the silicon carbide photodiode is configured to convert the electromagnetic radiation energy into an electrical signal in the form of the photocurrent. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The flame sensor apparatus of claim 5, wherein the electric cable assembly is configured to convey the photocurrent from the silicon carbide photodiode to the electrical assembly. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The flame sensor apparatus of claim 6, wherein the electrical assembly is configured to convert the photocurrent into a current output in a range of 4 milliamperes to 20 milliamperes, the current output being indicative of the characteristics of the flame. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The flame sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electric cable assembly is attached at one end to the sensor assembly and attached at an opposing second end to the electrical assembly. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The flame sensor apparatus of claim 8, wherein the electric cable assembly is sealed and filled with an inert gas. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The flame sensor apparatus of claim 1, further including a sight tube having first and second ends, the sight tube being attached at the first end portion to the combustion chamber within the turbine and attached at the second end portion to the sensor assembly, and the sensor assembly receiving electromagnetic radiation energy from the flame through the sight tube. ### Claim 11 A flame sensor apparatus for flame sensing within a turbine, the apparatus including: a sensor assembly entirely located within the turbine at a first location, which is within the turbine, having a first, relatively elevated temperature, the sensor assembly including a photodiode, at the first location, for sensing characteristics of a flame within a combustion chamber of the turbine, the combustion chamber having an outer wall and an opening within the outer wall, the sensor assembly being located outside of the combustion chamber and sensing characteristics of the flame within the combustion chamber of the turbine through the opening, the photodiode outputting an electrical photocurrent that has an electrical current value that is indicative of the characteristics of the flame and the sensor assembly including an electrical wire, at the first location, electrically connected to the photodiode to receive the electrical photocurrent output from the photodiode and electrically convey the electrical photocurrent; an electrical assembly that is electrically remote from the sensor assembly and the combustion chamber at a second location, outside of the turbine away from the first location, and having a second temperature relatively lower than the first temperature at the first location; and an electric cable assembly extending from the sensor assembly, at the first location, to the electrical assembly, at the second location, and transitioning from the first location having the relatively elevated temperature to the second location having the relatively lower temperature, the electric cable assembly including an electrical cable electrically connected to the electrical wire of the sensor assembly and being configured to electrically convey the photocurrent, that is indicative of the characteristics of the flame, from the photodiode, and electrically conveyed by the electrical wire of the sensor assembly, to the electrical assembly, wherein the electric cable assembly is included as part of a sealed array filled with an inert gas. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The flame sensor apparatus of claim 11, further including a sight tube projecting from the combustion chamber and defining an optical path from the flame and through the sight tube. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The flame sensor apparatus of claim 12, wherein a first end of the sensor assembly is attached to the sight tube. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The flame sensor apparatus of claim 13, wherein the sensor assembly includes a lens positioned within an internal chamber of the sensor assembly, the lens being positioned between the first end of the sensor assembly on one side and the photodiode on an opposing second side. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The flame sensor apparatus of claim 14, wherein the lens is configured to focus the electromagnetic radiation energy from the combustion chamber onto the photodiode. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The flame sensor apparatus of claim 11, wherein the electric cable assembly is in a range of 9.1 to 10.7 meters in length. ### Claim 17 A method of flame sensing within a turbine, including the steps of: providing a flame sensor apparatus for flame sensing within the turbine, said step of providing the flame sensor apparatus includes providing the flame sensor apparatus to include: a sensor assembly entirely located within the turbine at a first location, which is within the turbine, having a first, relatively elevated temperature, the sensor assembly including a photodiode, at the first location, for sensing characteristics of a flame within a combustion chamber of the turbine, the combustion chamber having an outer wall and an opening within the outer wall, the sensor assembly being located outside of the combustion chamber and sensing characteristics of the flame within the combustion chamber of the turbine through the opening, the photodiode outputting an electrical photocurrent that has an electrical current value that is indicative of the characteristics of the flame and the sensor assembly including an electrical wire, at the first location, electrically connected to the photodiode to receive the electrical photocurrent output from the photodiode and electrically convey the electrical photocurrent; an electrical assembly that is electrically remote from the sensor assembly and the combustion chamber, and that is at a second location, outside of the turbine away from the first location, and having a second temperature relatively lower than the first temperature at the first location; and an electric cable assembly extending from the sensor assembly, at the first location, to the electrical assembly, at the second location, and transitioning from the first location having the relatively elevated temperature to the second location having the relatively lower temperature, the electric cable assembly including an electrical cable electrically connected to the electrical wire of the sensor assembly and being configured to electrically convey the photocurrent, that is indicative of the characteristics of the flame, from the photodiode, and electrically conveyed by the electrical wire of the sensor assembly, to the electrical assembly; receiving electromagnetic radiation from the flame with the photodiode; producing the photocurrent corresponding to the electromagnetic radiation with the photodiode; conveying the photocurrent via the electrical cable of the electric cable assembly to the electrical assembly; and sensing the characteristics of the flame with the electrical assembly based on the photocurrent. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further including the step of sealing opposing ends of the electric cable assembly and filling the electric cable assembly with an inert gas. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further including the step of converting the photocurrent into an electrical signal in the form of a current output in a range of 4 milliamperes to 20 milliamperes, the current output being indicative of the characteristics of the flame. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the characteristics of the flame include the presence and absence of the flame within the combustion chamber.