Patent Application
20150056912
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to the art of enclosures and, more particularly, to a system enclosure ventilation monitoring system.
Many systems operate within enclosures that provide protection from weather and the like. The systems may produce heat that is desirably removed from the enclosure. For example, during operation, a turbomachine produces heat which may raise internal temperatures of the enclosure. Raising the internal temperature of the enclosure may have a negative impact on turbomachine efficiency as well as operating reliability of supporting accessories. Many system enclosures include ventilation systems that draw in ambient air and discharge hot air from the enclosure. Conventional ventilation systems include fans that, when operated, create an airflow which opens gravity controlled dampers/louvers exposing internal spaces of the enclosure to ambient. Current ventilation systems rely on an operator to initiate and stop operation, or base operation on parameters such as turbomachine status, turbomachine temperature and/or exhaust air temperature.
According to one aspect of an exemplary embodiment, a system enclosure ventilation monitoring system includes a controller having an enclosure temperature input configured to receive signals indicating internal temperatures of the system enclosure, an air circulating device speed input configured to receive signals indicating operating speed of at least one air circulating device, and a damper position input configured to receive a damper position signal and an output. The controller is configured and disposed to set damper position through the output based on at least one of the air circulating device speed input and the enclosure temperature input.
According to another aspect of an exemplary embodiment, a system enclosure includes a plurality of walls that define the system enclosure, a turbomachine system is arranged within the system enclosure, and at least one air circulating device system includes at least one air circulating device coupled to a motor, and at least one damper having one or more louvers coupled to a damper motor. The at least one air circulating device is configured and disposed to create an airflow through the one or more louvers into the system enclosure. At least one temperature sensor is arranged in the system enclosure. The at least one temperature sensor is configured and disposed to detect an enclosure temperature. At least one air circulating device speed sensor is configured to detect a speed of the at least one air circulating device, and a damper position sensor is configured and disposed to detect a position of the one or more louvers. A system enclosure ventilation monitoring system includes a controller having an enclosure temperature input operatively connected to the at least one temperature sensor, an air circulating device speed input operatively connected to the at least one air circulating device speed sensor, a damper position input operatively connected to the at least one damper position sensor and an output operatively connected to the at least the damper motor. The controller is configured and disposed to set damper position through the output based on at least one of the air circulating device speed input and the enclosure temperature input.
According to yet another aspect of an exemplary embodiment, a method of ventilating a system enclosure includes sensing temperature within the system enclosure, receiving an air circulating device speed input from at least one air circulating device assembly, and shifting one or more louvers provided on a damper to a desired position to control airflow into the system enclosure in response to one of the air circulating device speed input and the temperature within the system enclosure.
These and other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.
The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings.
A system enclosure, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, is indicated generally at 2 in
System enclosure 2 includes a first motorized inlet air damper (MIAD) system 42 arranged in second wall 5. A second MIAD system 44 and a third MIAD system 46 are also arranged in second wall 5 adjacent first MIAD system 42. It should however be understood that the particular arrangement of MIAD systems 42, 44 and 46 may vary. System enclosure 2 includes a first air circulating system 53 having a first air circulating device 54 operatively connected to a first motor 55. First air circulating device 54 may take the form of a first fan. First motor 55 includes a first air circulating device speed sensor 56. First air circulating system 53 also includes a first flow sensor 57 and a first temperature sensor 58. First air circulating system 53 is mounted to the roof (not separately labeled) First MIAD system 42 also includes a first damper 60 including a first plurality of louvers 61 operatively connected to a first damper control 62 having a first damper position sensor 63. Similarly, system enclosure 2 includes a second air circulating system 64 mounted to the roof Second air circulating system 64 includes a second air circulating device 65 operatively connected to a second motor 66 having a second air circulating device speed sensor 67. Second air circulating device 65 may take the form of a second fan. Second air circulating system 64 also includes a second flow sensor 68 and a second temperature sensor 69. Second MIAD system 44 also includes a second damper 70 including a second plurality of louvers 71 operatively connected to a second damper control 72 having a second damper position sensor 73. A third air circulating system 75 also mounted to the roof is also included in system enclosure 2. Third air circulating system 75 includes a third air circulating device 76 operatively connected to a third motor 77 having a third air circulating device speed sensor 78. Third air circulating device 76 may take the form of a third fan. Third air circulating system 75 also includes a third flow sensor 79 and a third temperature sensor 80. Third MIAD system 46 also includes a third damper 81 including a third plurality of louvers 82 operatively connected to a third damper control 84 having a third damper position sensor 85.
System enclosure 2 is also shown to include a first enclosure temperature sensor 90, a second enclosure temperature sensor 91, a third enclosure temperature sensor 92, a fourth enclosure temperature sensor 93, a fifth enclosure temperature sensor 94, a sixth enclosure temperature sensor 95, a seventh enclosure temperature sensor 96 and, an eighth enclosure temperature sensor 97. Enclosure temperature sensors 90-97 are arranged about interior portion 14 to detect internal temperatures in system enclosure 2 at various locations. An ambient temperature sensor 100 is arranged outside of system enclosure 2. At this point it should be understood that the number and position of enclosure temperature sensors 90-97, as well as the number and position of ambient temperature sensor 100, may vary.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, system enclosure 2 includes a system enclosure ventilation monitoring system 110 operatively connected to MIAD systems 42, 44 and 46 as well as enclosure temperature sensors 90-97, ambient temperature sensor 100, door position sensor 17, and controllers (not shown) for first, second and third air circulating systems 53, 64 and 75, as will be discussed more fully below. System enclosure ventilation monitoring system 110 is also operatively connected to a turbomachine control panel 114 and a hazardous gas detection system 116. Hazardous gas detection system 116 is linked to a hazardous gas detection sensor 118 arranged in system enclosure 2. During turbomachine start-up control panel 114 communicates with system enclosure ventilation monitoring system 110 seeking a start permissive and validation signal when turbomachine system 20 is operating. Hazardous gas detection system 116 signals system enclosure ventilation monitoring system 110 in the event that hazardous gas is detected in system enclosure 2, as will be detailed more fully below.
As shown in
Microprocessor 135 is yet further shown to includes an air circulating device speed output 162 operatively coupled to first, second, and third motors 5566, and 77, and a damper position output 164 operatively coupled to first, second and third damper controls 62, 72, and 84. In addition to the above, microprocessor 135 includes a component failure output 166 that may be coupled to a display 168. Component failure output may provide a visual and/or audible indication of a component failure. System enclosure ventilation monitoring system 110 controls first, second, and third MIAD systems 42, 44 and 46, as will be detailed more fully below.
Reference will now follow to
If no hazardous gas is detected, microprocessor 135 sends a signal to first, second and third damper controls 62, 72, and 84 through damper position output 164 to adjust a position of first, second and third plurality of louvers 61, 71 and 82, as indicated in block 232. Microprocessor 135 receives a feedback signal through damper position feedback input 148 registering that the first, second and third pluralities of louvers 61, 71, and 82 have moved to a desired position, in block 234. If the first, second and third pluralities of louvers 61, 71, and 82 have adjusted, method 200 returns to block 210. If however, one or more of the first, second and third pluralities of louvers 61, 71, and 82 have not moved to the desired position, microprocessor 135 signals an alert, in block 236, through component failure output 166.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, first, second and third pluralities of louvers 61, 71, and 82 are configured to fail in a last set position. More specifically, in contrast to prior art systems, which fail in a closed position, first, second, and third pluralities of louvers 61, 71, and 82 fail in a last set position so that temperature control and ventilation flow may continue. With a failure in the last position, microprocessor 135 will communicate a component failure alarm (not shown).
In further accordance with an exemplary embodiment, in the event that microprocessor 135 receives, through hazardous gas detection system input 154, that hazardous gas has been detected in system enclosure 2, in block 230, first, second, and/or third motor 55, 66, 77 are signaled to operate respective ones of first, second, and third air circulating devices 54, 65, and or 76 at full speed, in block 250. Microprocessor 135 also signals first, second and third damper controls 62, 72 and 84 to fully open corresponding ones of first, second and third pluralities of louvers 61, 71, and 82 to evacuate hazardous gases from system enclosure 2. An alert, visual and/or audible, is output in block 252. First, second, and/or third motors 55, 66, and/or 77 continue to operate respective ones of first, second, and/or third air circulating devices 54, 64, and 76, and first, second, and third damper controls 62, 72 and 84 maintain corresponding ones of first, second and third pluralities of louvers 61, 71, and 82 fully open until hazardous gas has been completely evacuated and/or operation is manually stopped.
At this point it should be understood that the t ventilation monitoring system, in accordance with the exemplary embodiments, adjusts damper position to control ventilation flow based on at least one of air circulating device speed input and internal enclosure temperatures. The ventilation monitoring system may interface with other turbomachine controls to enhance ventilation, as desired, and to operate air circulating devices intermittently at the higher speeds only when necessary. For example, ventilation monitoring system may adjust ventilation flow to maintain desired clearances in the compressor portion and/or the turbine portion. Further, the ventilation monitoring system also interfaces with a hazardous gas detection system to evacuate the system enclosure in the event hazardous gas is detected. Further, the ventilation monitoring system may maintain desired temperatures within the enclosure. For example, the ventilation system may interface with a turbomachine control system and plant distributed control system (DCS) to maintain the enclosure temperature within a predetermined range and, if desired, assist in reducing cool down time for machine in preparation for maintenance.
While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.
