	US 12,305,578 B2
	Ignition system for power generation engine
Bidhan Dam, Zeeland, MI (US); Logan Oonk, Zeeland, MI (US); Dan Huber, Zeeland, MI (US); Vinay Prasad, Zeeland, MI (US); and Sudipa Sarker, Zeeland, MI (US)
Assigned to Woodward, Inc., Fort Collins, CO (US)
Filed by Woodward, Inc., Fort Collins, CO (US)
Filed on Jun. 23, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/304,584.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/042,962, filed on Jun. 23, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0396182 A1, Dec. 23, 2021
Int. Cl. F02C 7/264 (2006.01); F02C 7/22 (2006.01); F02C 9/26 (2006.01)

CPC F02C 7/264 (2013.01) [F02C 7/22 (2013.01); F02C 9/26 (2013.01); F05D 2220/32 (2013.01); F05D 2240/35 (2013.01); F05D 2270/301 (2013.01); F05D 2270/303 (2013.01)]

14 Claims

7. A method, comprising:

igniting an igniter stage;

igniting, by the ignited igniter stage, combustion in a turbine combustor assembly;

receiving pressure feedback signals from a pressure sensor configured to sense pressure fluctuations due to the combustion in the turbine combustor assembly;

identifying dynamic pressures due to combustion based on the received pressure feedback signals;

controlling operation of the igniter stage by increasing a flow of fuel to the igniter stage during combustion in the primary combustion chamber based on the identification;

modifying the dynamic pressures due to combustion based on the controlled increase of the flow of fuel to the igniter stage during combustion in the primary combustion chamber; and

reducing audible emissions of combustion in the turbine combustor assembly based on the modification of the dynamic pressures during combustion in the primary combustion chamber.

1. A turbine combustor assembly, comprising:

a primary combustion chamber in fluid communication with a primary fuel injector and a primary air inlet; and

an igniter carried by the primary combustion chamber, comprising:

an igniter stage comprising:

an auxiliary combustion chamber housing comprising a mixing chamber and a tubular throat converging downstream of the mixing chamber; and

an ignition source projecting into the mixing chamber of the auxiliary combustion chamber housing;

a pressure sensor configured to sense pressure within the primary combustion chamber; and

a controller configured to:

receive pressure feedback signals, from the pressure sensor, representative of pressure fluctuations due to combustion in the primary combustion chamber;

identify dynamic pressures due to combustion based on the received pressure feedback signals;

control an increase of a fuel flow to the igniter during combustion in the primary combustion chamber based on the identification;

modify the dynamic pressures due to combustion based on the controlled increase of the fuel flow to the igniter during combustion in the primary combustion chamber; and

reduce audible emissions of combustion in the turbine combustor assembly based on the modification of the dynamic pressures during combustion in the primary combustion chamber.