US 11,940,354 B2
Systems and methods for detecting a fuel leak
Willy Steve Ziminsky, Simpsonville, SC (US)
Assigned to GE Infrastructure Technology LLC, Greenville, SC (US)
Filed by General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US)
Filed on Aug. 28, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/006,107.
Prior Publication US 2022/0065736 A1, Mar. 3, 2022
Int. Cl. G01M 3/40 (2006.01); F01D 11/00 (2006.01); F02C 9/46 (2006.01); G01N 27/04 (2006.01)
CPC G01M 3/40 (2013.01) [F01D 11/00 (2013.01); F02C 9/46 (2013.01); G01N 27/04 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of detecting a fuel leak within a combustor of a turbomachine, the combustor comprising a combustion liner defining a combustion chamber within which combustion occurs, the combustor further comprising a liquid fuel cartridge and a plurality of fuel nozzles, the method comprising:
monitoring, by a controller, a sensor output from a particulate matter sensor positioned on at least one of the liquid fuel cartridge or a fuel nozzle of the plurality of fuel nozzles forward of the combustion chamber, the sensor output comprising one of a fault state sensor output or a non-fault state sensor output;
receiving, with the controller, the fault state sensor output from the particulate matter sensor when a fuel leak is present within the combustor, wherein the fault state sensor output corresponds with a current ratio of the particulate matter sensor of between about 10% and about 100%.