U.S. patent application number 13/481347 was filed with the patent office on 2013-11-28 for apparatus and system for changing temperature of vane separators in a power generating system.
This patent application is currently assigned to General Electric Company. The applicant listed for this patent is Paul Sherwood Bryant, John Carl Davies, Richard Michael Ashley Mann. Invention is credited to Paul Sherwood Bryant, John Carl Davies, Richard Michael Ashley Mann.
Application Number | 20130315711 13/481347 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48470775 |
Filed Date | 2013-11-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130315711 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bryant; Paul Sherwood ; et
al. |
November 28, 2013 |
APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR CHANGING TEMPERATURE OF VANE SEPARATORS IN
A POWER GENERATING SYSTEM
Abstract
This disclosure describes embodiments of a vane conditioning
apparatus for use in power generating systems. These embodiments
generate one or more fluid streams, which impinge on vane
separators in the power generating system to change the temperature
of the vane separators. In one embodiment, the vane conditioning
apparatus comprises a vortex tube to convert pressurized supply air
to a hot fluid stream and a cold fluid stream. A flow control
device couples with the vortex tube to regulates flow of the hot
fluid stream and the cold fluid stream to the vane separators.
Inventors: |
Bryant; Paul Sherwood;
(Amesbury, GB) ; Mann; Richard Michael Ashley;
(Basingstoke, GB) ; Davies; John Carl;
(Portsmouth, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bryant; Paul Sherwood
Mann; Richard Michael Ashley
Davies; John Carl |
Amesbury
Basingstoke
Portsmouth |
|
GB
GB
GB |
|
|
Assignee: |
General Electric Company
Schenectady
NY
|
Family ID: |
48470775 |
Appl. No.: |
13/481347 |
Filed: |
May 25, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
415/116 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F02C 7/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
415/116 |
International
Class: |
F01D 25/00 20060101
F01D025/00; F01D 1/04 20060101 F01D001/04 |
Claims
1. A vane conditioning apparatus that can couple with a vane stage
in a power generating system, said vane conditioning apparatus
comprising: a vane conditioning fluid generator that converts
supply fluid to a hot fluid stream and a cold fluid stream; and a
flow control device coupled to the vane conditioning fluid
generator to receive the hot fluid stream and the cold fluid
stream, the flow control device having a plurality of operating
states to direct one or both of the hot fluid stream and the cold
fluid stream to change a temperature of a vane separator in the
vane stage.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vane conditioning fluid
generator mechanically converts the supply fluid to the hot fluid
stream and the cold fluid stream.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vane conditioning fluid
generator comprises a vortex tube.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hot fluid stream has a
temperature that can raise the temperature of the vane separator to
prevent moisture from freezing on a surface of the vane
separator.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cold fluid stream has a
temperature that can lower the temperature of the vane separator to
promote phase change of water vapor in air from vapor to
liquid.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of operating
states comprises a first state to direct the hot fluid stream to
the vane separator.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of operating
states comprises a second state to direct the cold fluid stream to
the vane separator.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a controller
coupled to the flow control device, the controller comprising a
processor, memory, and executable instructions stored on memory and
configured to be executed by the processor, the executable
instruction comprising an executable instruction for changing the
state of the flow control device in response to an input from a
sensor.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the sensor measures the
temperature of the vane separator.
10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the executable instructions
further comprise an executable instruction for changing the
temperature of one of the hot fluid stream and the cold fluid
stream.
11. A system for changing temperature of vane separators in a power
generating system, said system comprising: a vortex tube with a
first outlet and a second outlet; a flow control device coupled to
the first outlet and the second outlet; and a controller coupled to
the flow control device, the controller comprising a processor,
memory, and executable instructions stored on memory and configured
to be executed by the processor, the executable instruction
comprising an executable instruction to operate the flow control
device in a first state to direct hot fluid from the vortex tube to
the vane separators and a second state to direct cold fluid from
the vortex tube to the vane separators.
12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a vane temperature
sensor coupled to the controller, the vane temperature sensor
generating an input that reflects a temperature on the surface of
the vane separators, wherein the executable instruction comprise
executable instruction for selecting the first state and the second
state in response to the input from the vane temperature
sensor.
13. The system of claim 11, further comprising an ambient
temperature sensor coupled to the controller, the ambient
temperature sensor generating an input that reflects a temperature
of air flowing through the power generating system, wherein the
executable instruction comprise executable instruction for
selecting the first state and the second state in response to the
input from the ambient temperature sensor.
14. The system of claim 11, wherein the executable instructions
comprise an executable instruction for selecting the first state
and the second state in response to weather conditions of the
environment surrounding the power generating system.
15. The system of claim 11, wherein the executable instruction
comprise executable instructions for operating the vortex tube for
setting a temperature of the hot fluid and the cold fluid.
16. A power generating system, comprising: a turbo-machine; an
inlet system coupled to the turbo-machine, the inlet system
directing air from the surrounding environment to the
turbo-machine, the inlet system comprising an inlet filter housing
with a vane separator; and a vane conditioning apparatus coupled to
the inlet filter housing, the vane conditioning apparatus
converting supply fluid to a plurality of fluid streams comprising
a first fluid stream at a first temperature to cool the vane
separator to a temperature below air flowing in the inlet system
and a second fluid stream at a second temperature to warm the vane
separator to a temperature above air flowing in the inlet
system.
17. The power generating system of claim 16, wherein the
turbo-machine provides the supply fluid.
18. The power generating system of claim 16, wherein the vane
conditioning apparatus comprises a vortex tube that receives the
supply fluid.
19. The power generating system of claim 16, further comprising a
controller coupled to the vane conditioning apparatus, the
controller comprising a processor, memory, and executable
instructions stored on memory and configured to be executed by the
processor, the executable instruction comprising an executable
instruction to for changing the state of the flow control device in
response to an input from a sensor.
20. The power generating system of claim 19, further comprising a
sensor coupled to the controller, wherein the sensor provides an
input, and wherein the executable instructions comprise an
executable instruction for selecting temperature of the plurality
of fluid streams in response to the input.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to power
generating systems and, more particularly, to examples of an
apparatus and system that can modify the temperature of vane
separators found in power generating systems that deploy
turbo-machines (e.g., gas and steam turbines).
[0002] Exposure to precipitation and/or other moisture may
eventually produce corrosion and/or other damage to components of a
turbo-machine. To prevent moisture from entering the turbo-machine,
power generating systems may incorporate vane separators that help
to separate moisture (and/or particulates and/or debris) from air
entering and/or flowing through the power generating system.
Although vane separators generally remove moisture from the air
entering the air inlet, such components may not provide a solution
to capture, or entrain, the smallest of moisture droplets.
Moreover, in some environments where cold temperatures prevail, the
vane separators may become frozen or ice bound. These conditions
not only reduce the efficacy of the vane separators, but may also
impact the overall performance of the turbo-machine and, thus, may
require significant intervention by maintenance personnel to
break-up and remove ice from the surfaces of the vane
separators.
[0003] The discussion above is merely provided for general
background information and is not intended to be used as an aid in
determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This disclosure describes embodiments of a vane conditioning
apparatus for use in power generating systems. These embodiments
generate one or more fluid streams, e.g., air, which impinge on
vane separators in the power generating system to change the
temperature of the vane separators. In one embodiment, the vane
conditioning apparatus comprises a vortex tube to convert
pressurized supply to a hot fluid stream and a cold fluid stream. A
flow control device couples with the vortex tube to regulate flow
of the hot fluid stream and the cold fluid stream to the vane
separators. An advantage of the proposed embodiments of the
apparatus is that the embodiments change the temperature of the
vane separators to capture droplets across a broader spectrum and
to prevent ice build-up that can occur during inclement weather
conditions, e.g., freezing fog and other icing conditions.
[0005] The disclosure describes, in one embodiment, a vane
conditioning apparatus that can couple with a vane stage in a power
generating system. The vane conditioning apparatus comprises a vane
conditioning fluid generator that converts supply fluid to a hot
fluid stream and a cold fluid stream. The vane conditioning
apparatus also comprises a flow control device coupled to the vane
conditioning fluid generator to receive the hot fluid stream and
the cold fluid stream. The flow control device has a plurality of
operating states to direct one or both of the hot fluid stream and
the cold fluid stream to change a temperature of a vane separator
in the vane stage.
[0006] The disclosure also describes, in one embodiment, a system
for changing temperature of vane separators in a power generating
system. The system comprises a vortex tube with a first outlet and
a second outlet and a flow control device coupled to the first
outlet and the second outlet. The system also comprises a
controller coupled to the flow control device, where the controller
comprises a processor, memory, and executable instructions stored
on memory and configured to be executed by the processor. In one
example, the executable instructions comprise an executable
instruction to operate the flow control device in a first state to
direct hot fluid from the vortex tube to the vane separators and a
second state to direct cold fluid from the vortex tube to the vane
separators.
[0007] The disclosure further describes, in one embodiment, a power
generating system that comprises a turbo-machine and an inlet
system coupled to the turbo-machine. The inlet system directs air
from the surrounding environment to the turbo-machine, the inlet
system comprising an inlet filter housing with a vane separator.
The power generating system also comprises a vane conditioning
apparatus coupled to the inlet filter housing. The vane
conditioning apparatus converts supply fluid to a plurality of
fluid streams, including a first fluid stream at a first
temperature to cool the vane separator to a temperature below air
flowing in the inlet system and a second fluid stream at a second
temperature to warm the vane separator to a temperature above air
flowing in the inlet system.
[0008] This brief description of the invention is intended only to
provide a brief overview of subject matter disclosed herein
according to one or more illustrative embodiments, and does not
serve as a guide to interpreting the claims or to define or limit
the scope of the invention, which is defined only by the appended
claims. This brief description is provided to introduce an
illustrative selection of concepts in a simplified form that are
further described below in the detailed description. This brief
description is not intended to identify key features or essential
features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be
used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject
matter. The claimed subject matter is not limited to
implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in the
background.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] So that the manner in which the features of the invention
can be understood, a detailed description of the invention may be
had by reference to certain embodiments, some of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted,
however, that the drawings illustrate only certain embodiments of
this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of
its scope, for the scope of the invention encompasses other equally
effective embodiments. The drawings are not necessarily to scale,
emphasis generally being placed upon illustrating the features of
certain embodiments of the invention. In the drawings, like
numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout the various
views. Thus, for further understanding of the invention, reference
can be made to the following detailed description, read in
connection with the drawings in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 depicts a side schematic view of an exemplary vane
conditioning apparatus as part of an inlet system on a power
generating system;
[0011] FIG. 2 depicts a schematic view of another exemplary vane
conditioning apparatus;
[0012] FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary flow pattern for the vane
conditioning apparatus of FIG. 2;
[0013] FIG. 4 depicts an example of a vortex tube for use in a vane
conditioning apparatus such as the vane conditioning apparatus of
FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0014] FIG. 5 depicts an example of a vane separator found in the
power generating system of FIG. 1; and
[0015] FIG. 6 depicts a schematic diagram of a system for changing
temperature of vane separators that can include a vane conditioning
apparatus of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The discussion below highlights features of an apparatus,
and an associated power generating system, that can improve
operation of a turbo-machine (e.g., a gas or steam turbine).
Broadly, the features help to remove condensate (e.g., water vapor
and/or moisture droplets) from air that enters the turbo-machine.
In one aspect, the apparatus introduces a fluid to vane separators
that are found in the inlet system of the power generating system.
Examples of the fluid can comprise gasses (e.g., air and/or ambient
air) as well as liquids (e.g., water, refrigerants, etc.).
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of one implementation
of an exemplary vane conditioning apparatus 100 (also "apparatus
100") for use with a power generating system 102. In one example,
the power generating system 102 features an inlet system 104 and a
turbo-machine 106 with a compressor 108. During operation, the
compressor 108 draws air 110 through the inlet system 104 to
facilitate combustion at the turbo-machine 106.
[0018] Moving now from left to right in the diagram of FIG. 1, air
110 travels through a weather hood 112 into an inlet filter housing
114. The air 110 encounters a filter stage 116 and one or more vane
stages (e.g., a front vane stage 118 and a back vane stage 120)
that are found inside of the inlet filter housing 114. The filter
stage 116 can comprise a filter media 122 that removes particulates
from the air 110. The vane stages 118, 120 can comprise a plurality
of vanes separators 124, which are in place to entrain water vapor
found in the air 110. A transition piece 126 couples the inlet
filter housing 114 to an inlet duct 128. The physical
characteristics of these elements help to develop certain flow
characteristics (e.g., velocity, pressure, etc.) in the flow of air
110. Inside of inlet duct 128, the air 110 can encounter one or
more other elements, e.g., a silencer section 130, heating system
132, and screen element 134. The elements 130, 132, 134 are useful
for further conditioning the air 110 as the air 110 travels through
the inlet system 104 to the turbo-machine 106.
[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the apparatus 100
couples with the compressor 108 and/or a separate fluid supply 136
(e.g., a compressed air supply, a pressurized liquid supply, etc.).
This configuration provides supply fluid 138 (e.g., gases and/or
liquids) under pressure to the apparatus 100. In one embodiment,
the apparatus 100 converts the supply fluid 138 to a plurality of
fluid streams (e.g., a first fluid stream 140 and a second fluid
stream 142). The apparatus 100 delivers the fluid streams 140, 142
to the inlet filter housing 114, and as discussed more below, the
fluid streams 140, 142 alter the temperature of the vane separators
124.
[0020] The fluid streams 140, 142 can comprise warm and/or cold
fluid (collectively, "vane conditioning fluid") (e.g., air) at
various temperatures to raise and lower the temperature of the vane
separators 124. In one example, the temperature of the vane
conditioning fluid raises the temperature of the vane separators
124 above the ambient temperature of the air 110. The resulting
temperature of the vane separators 124 does not allow water vapor
in the 110 to freeze on the surface of the vane separators 124.
This feature prevents ice build-up that can often occur when the
power generating system 102 (FIG. 1) operates in environments that
exhibit heavy fog and freezing fog conditions. In another example,
the vane conditioning fluid lowers the temperature of the vane
separators 124 below the temperature of the air 110. At this
reduced temperature, the vane separators 124 can induce a so-called
"cold finger effect" in which water vapor in the air 110 will
condense from gas phase to liquid phase on the surface of the vane
separators 124. The cold-finger effect can also cause water
droplets the vane separators 124 capture to combine, or coalesce,
to form larger water droplets (e.g., greater than 10 microns),
which the moving air 110 is less likely to carry from the surface
of the vane separators 124 to other parts of the inlet system
104.
[0021] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a schematic block diagram of
another example of a vane conditioning apparatus 200 (also
"apparatus 200") that can generate the vane conditioning fluid
discussed above. FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of the vane
conditioning apparatus 200. FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary fluid
flow pattern with arrows on the schematic diagram of FIG. 2 to
depict the general direction of fluid flow that occurs during
operation, e.g., operation of power generating system 102 of FIG.
1.
[0022] Turning first to FIG. 2, the apparatus 200 includes a vane
conditioning fluid generator 202 and a flow control device 204.
Ducts 206 couple the components of the apparatus 200 together and
to the supply 108, 136 and inlet filter housing 114. Examples of
the ducts 206 comprise tubes, conduits, and like elements through
which fluid can flow, e.g., among and between the vane conditioning
fluid generator 202 and the flow control device 204. In one
example, the vane conditioning fluid generator 202 has a supply
inlet 208 and a pair of conditioned fluid outlets (e.g., a first
conditioned fluid outlet 210 and a second conditioned fluid outlet
212). The flow control device 204 has a pair of conditioned fluid
inlets (e.g., a first conditioned fluid inlet 214 and a second
conditioned fluid inlet 216) that couple with the conditioned fluid
outlets 210, 212 on the vane conditioning fluid generator 202. The
flow control device 204 also has a pair of vane stage outlets
(e.g., a first vane stage outlet 218 and a second vane stage outlet
220), which can couple with the inlet filter housing 114.
[0023] The fluid flow pattern of FIG. 3 illustrates the direction
of fluid flow in the apparatus 200. During operation, the vane
conditioning fluid generator 202 converts the supply fluid 138 into
a hot fluid stream 222 and a cold fluid stream 224. Comparatively,
the hot fluid stream 222 has a temperature that is higher relative
to a temperature of the cold fluid stream 224. Operation of the
flow control device 204 can deliver the hot fluid stream 222 and
the cold fluid stream 224, as well as combinations thereof, as the
first fluid stream 140 and the second fluid stream 142 to the inlet
filter housing 114.
[0024] Examples of the flow control device 204 can operate in one
or more operating states that determine the temperature of the
first fluid stream 140 and the second fluid stream 142. To
effectuate these operating states, the flow control device 204 can
comprise one or more elements that actuate in response to signals,
e.g., valves (e.g., solenoid valves). These elements can have, for
example, an open position and a closed position that permits and/or
prevents the flow of fluid therethrough. In one implementation, the
operating states of the flow control device 204 include a first
state that permits the hot fluid stream 222 to flow as one or both
of the first fluid stream 140 and the second fluid stream 142 and a
second state that permits the cold fluid stream 224 to flow as one
or both of the first fluid stream 140 and the second fluid stream
142. Other operating states may exist to manage the temperature of
the first fluid stream 140 and the second fluid stream 142, e.g.,
by mixing the hot fluid stream 222 and the cold fluid stream 224
together.
[0025] Various factors can determine the selection of the operating
state (e.g., the first state and the second state). For example,
weather conditions that prevail in the proximity of the power
generating system 102 may require operation of the flow control
device 204 in the first state to defrost, melt, and prevent
ice-build up on the surface of the vanes (e.g., vane separators 124
of FIG. 1). High humidity and fog conditions, on the other hand,
may require operation of the flow control device 204 in the second
state to facilitate condensation of water vapor out of the
saturated air 110.
[0026] FIG. 4 depicts an example of a vane conditioning fluid
generator 300 in the form of a vortex tube 302 and/or related
mechanical device with no moving parts. The vortex tube 302 can
separate a supply fluid 304 (e.g., supply fluid 138 of FIGS. 1, 2,
and 3) into a hot fluid stream 306 (e.g., hot fluid stream 222 of
FIG. 3) and a cold fluid stream 308 (e.g., cold fluid stream 224 of
FIG. 3). The vortex tube 302 includes an elongated tubular body 310
and a nozzle element 312. Examples of the vortex tube 302 can
generate cold fluid with temperatures down to -10.degree. C. and
hot fluid with temperatures up to 125.degree. C. The pressure of
the supply fluid 304 can be from 10 psig and 120 psig.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, in one embodiment, compressed supply
fluid 304 is injected circumferentially into the vortex tube 302.
Some of the fluid spins inward to the center and travels
longitudinally up the elongated tubular body 310 where the nozzle
element 312 turns the spinning column (i.e. the "vortex") of fluid
inside itself. This features creates two columns of fluid, e.g., an
inside column and an outside column. In one embodiment, heat from
the inside column of fluid transfers to the outside column. The
elongated tubular body 310 directs the inside column of fluid, now
cooler as a result of the thermal energy transfer to the outside
column of fluid, out of one end of the elongated tubular body 310
as the cold fluid stream 308. The outside column of fluid exhausts
out of the opposite end of the elongated tubular body 302 proximate
the nozzle element 312 as the hot fluid stream 306. In one example,
the position of the nozzle element 312 relative to the elongated
tubular body 310 controls properties (e.g., temperature, velocity,
flow rate, etc.) of the hot fluid stream 306 and the cold fluid
stream 308.
[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a vane separator 400 for
use in the vane stages (e.g., vane stages 118, 120 of FIG. 1). The
vane separator 400 includes a curvilinear body 402 with a plurality
of channels 404 that extend from a first side 406 to a second side
408 of the curvilinear body 402. The channels 404 have open ends to
permit vane conditioning fluid 410 to flow through. As discussed
above, the vane conditioning fluid 410 can comprise fluid at
varying temperatures to raise and lower the temperature of the
curvilinear body 402.
[0029] Examples of the curvilinear body 402 have a generally
aerodynamic shape that enables air (e.g., air 110 of FIG. 1) to
flow across the vane separator 400 with relatively little
resistance (e.g., drag). When placed in the path of air, however,
the vane 400 provides adequate resistance to facilitate removing
liquid and/or particulates from the air, e.g., by condensation. The
channels 404 provide a receptacle area into which the condensed
liquid can flow. In one example, the channels 404 also provide a
conduit for the liquid to flow out of the vanes 400, e.g., to a
drain or other area of the vane stage.
[0030] FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of a system 500 to
modify the temperature of the vane separators to promote
condensation of liquids in air (e.g., air 110 of FIG. 1) flowing
through a power generating system. The system 500 includes a vane
conditioning apparatus 502 and a controller 504 that can exchange
signals with the apparatus 502 to effectuate operation. The
controller 504 has a processor 506, memory 508, and control
circuitry 510. Busses 512 couple the components of the controller
504 together to permit the exchange of signals, data, and
information from one component of the controller 504 to another. In
one example, the control circuitry 510 comprises sensing circuitry
514 which couples with sensors (e.g., an ambient humidity sensor
516, an ambient temperature sensor 518, and a vane separator
temperature sensor 520). The control circuitry 510 also includes
flow control circuitry 522 and vane fluid conditioning generator
circuitry 524 that couple with the vane conditioning apparatus 502.
More particularly, the flow control circuitry 522 can couple, e.g.,
with a flow control device 526 and the vane fluid conditioning
generator circuitry 524 can couple, e.g., with a vortex tube
528.
[0031] This configuration of components can dictate operation of
the vane conditioning apparatus 502 to control the temperature of
fluid streams that heat and/or cool the vane separators. For
example, one or more of the sensors 516, 518, 520 can provide
signals (or inputs) that relate to information about the
environment surrounding the power generating system. This
information may include weather information (e.g., temperature,
relative humidity, barometric pressure, etc.) as well as
information about conditions inside of the power generating system,
e.g., inside of the inlet system 104 (FIG. 1). In one example, the
vane separator temperature sensor 520 comprises a thermocouple (or,
in one example, an array of thermocouples) to monitor the
temperature of a vane separator. Data from the thermocouple can
cause the controller 504 to generate signals (or outputs) that
instruct the vane conditioning apparatus 502 to change the
temperature of the fluid streams. This combination of components
can form a feedback loop, which permits the system 500 to provide
dynamic control of the temperature of the vane separators.
[0032] Features of the elements of the controller can facilitate
operation of this feedback loop and, generally, control of the vane
conditioning apparatus 502. The controller 502 and its constructive
components, for example, can communicate amongst themselves and/or
with other circuits (and/or devices), which execute high-level
logic functions, algorithms, as well as executable instructions
(e.g., firmware and software instructions and programs). Exemplary
circuits of this type include, but are not limited to, discrete
elements such as resistors, transistors, diodes, switches, and
capacitors. Examples of the processor 504 include microprocessors
and other logic devices such as field programmable gate arrays
("FPGAs") and application specific integrated circuits ("ASICs").
Although all of the discrete elements, circuits, and devices
function individually in a manner that is generally understood by
those artisans that have ordinary skill in the electrical arts, it
is their combination and integration into functional electrical
groups and circuits that generally provide for the concepts that
are disclosed and described herein.
[0033] The structure of the components in system 500 can permit
certain determinations as to the temperature of the fluid streams
that the vane conditioning apparatus 502 generates. For example,
the electrical circuits of the controller 504 can physically
manifest theoretical analysis and logical operations and/or can
replicate in physical form an algorithm, a comparative analysis,
and/or a decisional logic tree, each of which operates to assign
the output and/or a value to the output that correctly reflects one
or more of the nature, content, and origin of the changes that
occur and that are reflected by the relative inputs to the flow
control device 526 and vane fluid conditioning generator 528 as
provided by the corresponding control circuitry, e.g., in the
control circuitry 510.
[0034] In one embodiment, the processor 506 is a central processing
unit (CPU) such as an ASIC and/or an FPGA that is configured to
instruct and/or control operation of the flow control device 526
and vane fluid conditioning generator 528. This processor can also
include state machine circuitry or other suitable components
capable of controlling operation of the components as described
herein. The memory 508 includes volatile and non-volatile memory
and can store executable instructions including software (or
firmware) instructions and configuration settings. Each of the
sensing circuitry 514, the flow control circuitry 522, and the vane
fluid conditioning generator circuitry 524 can embody stand-alone
devices such as solid-state devices. Examples of these devices can
mount to substrates such as printed-circuit boards and
semiconductors, which can accommodate various components including
the processor 506, the memory 508, and other related circuitry to
facilitate operation of the controller 504 in connection with its
implementation in the system 500.
[0035] However, although FIG. 6 shows the processor 506, the memory
508, the components of the control circuitry 510 as discrete
circuitry and combinations of discrete components, this need not be
the case. For example, one or more of these components can comprise
a single integrated circuit (IC) or other component. As another
example, the processor 506 can include internal program memory such
as RAM and/or ROM. Similarly, any one or more of functions of these
components can be distributed across additional components (e.g.,
multiple processors or other components).
[0036] As used herein, an element or function recited in the
singular and proceeded with the word "a" or "an" should be
understood as not excluding plural said elements or functions,
unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore,
references to "one embodiment" of the claimed invention should not
be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments
that also incorporate the recited features.
[0037] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and
using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated
methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the
claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled
in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope
of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ
from the literal language of the claims, or if they include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from
the literal language of the claims.
* * * * *