Method of controlling engine performance

{
  "publication_number": "US2010292906A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Method of controlling engine performance",
  "abstract": "The present invention provides a method of controlling engine performance that includes obtaining at least one optical wavelength-dependent measurement from at least one combustion event in at least one combustion chamber. The method further includes analyzing the optical wavelength-dependent measurement for determining adjustments to the at least one combustion event. Additionally, the method includes adjusting the at least one combustion event or at least a next combustion event by changing at least one physical parameter, at least one constituent parameter, or at least one physical parameter and at least one constituent parameter to control the engine performance. The engine can include steady-flow engines or periodic flow engines, and the engine performance can be selected by an engine user.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A method of controlling engine performance comprising: a. obtaining at least one optical wavelength-dependent measurement from at least one combustion event in at least one combustion chamber of an engine; b. analyzing said at least one optical wavelength-dependent measurement for determining adjustments to said at least one combustion event; and c. adjusting said at least one combustion event or at least a next combustion event by changing at least one physical parameter, at least one constituent parameter, or at least one physical parameter and at least one constituent parameter to control said engine performance. 2. The method of controlling engine performance of claim 1, wherein said combustion event is selected from the group consisting of a periodic event and a steady event. 3. The method of controlling engine performance of claim 1, wherein said at least optical wavelength-dependent measurements are obtained using at least one optical sensor in said at least one combustion chamber and proximal to a region of said combustion event. 4. The method of controlling engine performance of claim 1, wherein said engine comprises steady-flow engines or periodic flow engines, 5. The method of controlling engine performance of claim 4, wherein said steady-flow engines are selected from the group consisting of gas turbine engines, jet engines, and shaft power turbines. 6. The method of controlling engine performance of claim 4, wherein said periodic flow engines are selected from the group consisting of compression ignition engines spark ignition engines, laser ignition engines, pulse-jet engines, ram jet engines, and scram-jet engines. 7. The method of controlling engine performance of claim 4, wherein controlling said periodic flow engine performance comprises said changing said combustion event physical parameters selected from the group consisting of combustion chamber volume, instantaneous temperature level in a region proximal to a predetermined point, spatially averaged temperature level, temporal temperature level, averaged values of temperature level, temperature distribution within the combustion space, pressure, intake flow rate, exhaust flow rate, ignition timing, ignition energy per event, ignition energy delivery location and combustion duration. 8. The method of controlling engine performance of claim 4, wherein controlling said steady-flow engine performance comprises said changing at least one said combustion process physical parameter selected from the group consisting of instantaneous temperature level, spatially distributed temperature level, temperature distribution within the combustion space, fuel flow rate, fuel composition, fuel temperature, ignition characteristics and combustion duration, wherein said ignition characteristics comprise timing, ignition energy, ignition energy delivery location and combustion duration. 9. The method of controlling engine performance of claim 4, wherein said periodic flow engine performance combustion event constituent parameters are measured during an event phase selected from the group consisting of pre-combustion phase, combustion phase and end-stage combustion phase. 10. The method of controlling engine performance of claim 4, wherein said periodic flow engine control is achieved using at least one actuator altering at least one combustion parameter selected from the group consisting of composition of the total intake charge, pre-combustion fuel vapor or spray concentration and distribution, pre-combustion water vapor concentration, combustion chamber volume, ignition parameters, inlet charge temperature, intake valve operating parameters, exhaust valve operating parameters, and fuel composition and fuel temperature. 11. The method of controlling engine performance of claim 10, wherein said ignition parameters are selected from the group consisting of timing of initiation, duration of energy delivery, temporal profile of energy delivery, and timing of an end of energy delivery. 12. The method of controlling engine performance of claim 10, wherein said intake valve operating parameters are selected from the group consisting of opening event, duration, valve lift or equivalent, and closing event. 13. The method of controlling engine performance of claim 10, wherein said exhaust valve operating parameters are selected from the group consisting of opening event, duration, valve lift or equivalent, and closing event. 14. The method of controlling engine performance of claim 10, wherein portions of said total intake charge are selected from the group consisting of air, exhaust products, water droplets and water vapor and fuel additives. 15. The method of controlling engine performance of claim 4, wherein controlling said steady-flow engine performance comprises at least one actuator altering at least one combustion parameter selected from the group consisting of primary air flow rate, secondary air flow rate, cooling air flow rates, air temperature, turbine tip clearance, fuel concentration distribution in space and time, water vapor concentration distribution in space and time, ignition timing, ignition energy delivery rate, energy delivery duration, fuel composition and fuel temperature. 16. The method of controlling engine performance of claim 1, wherein said engine performance is selected from the group consisting of engine durability, output power, thermal efficiency, acoustic output, and exhaust constituents. 17. The method of controlling engine performance of claim 16, wherein said engine performance is selected by an engine user. 18. The method of controlling engine performance of claim 1, wherein said controller adjusts at least one said combustion parameter during said combustion events upon receiving said at least optical wavelength-dependent measurements. 19. The method of controlling engine performance of claim 1, wherein said engine is a steady flow engine, wherein engine durability is enhanced by adjusting a fraction of inlet air flow used for primary zone combustion, secondary air combustion and liner cooling in the response to commands from an engine control unit. 20. The method of controlling engine performance of claim 1, wherein said engine performance is enhanced by altering fuel composition in response to commands from an engine control unit by injection of additives selected from the group consisting of a knock suppressor in a spark ignition engine, a NOx suppressor, and a soot suppressor engine upon detection of an incipient condition, wherein said soot suppressor is used in a diesel or a gas turbine. 21. The method of controlling engine performance of claim 1, wherein said engine comprises a steady-flow engine, wherein said steady-flow engine comprises a steady-flow event, wherein at least one actuator alters at least one of said combustion parameters selected from the group consisting of fuel concentration, oxygen concentration, air flow, combustion chamber temperature, fuel temperature and fuel composition. 22. The method of controlling engine performance of claim 1, wherein said engine comprises a periodic engine, wherein said periodic engine comprises at least one periodic event, wherein at least one actuator alters at least one of said combustion parameters selected from the group consisting of fuel concentration, oxygen concentration, combustion chamber pressure, combustion chamber temperature, ignition timing, ignition duration, intake valve timing, exhaust valve timing, intake valve duration, exhaust valve duration, fuel temperature and fuel composition. 23. The method of claim 1, wherein a position indicating device is coupled to an engine control unit to facilitate compliance with territorial or zonal requirements, wherein said position indicating device comprises a global positioning system."
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "F02D 35/00",
    "F01D 17/02",
    "F01D 17/04",
    "F01D 17/06",
    "F01D 17/08",
    "F01D 17/085",
    "F01D 17/20",
    "F01D 21/003",
    "F01D 21/12",
    "F01D 21/14",
    "F02C 9/00",
    "F02C 9/28",
    "F02C 9/48",
    "F02D 2200/604",
    "F02D 2200/701",
    "F02D 35/022",
    "F02D 45/00",
    "F02K 7/10",
    "F05D 2260/80",
    "F05D 2270/30",
    "F05D 2270/60"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "GIROUARD RAYMOND",
    "MOFFAT ROBERT J",
    "GIROUARD JACQUELINE R"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2009-11-06",
  "publication_date": "2010-11-18",
  "priority_date": "2009-05-18",
  "application_number": "US-59037309-A",
  "family_id": "43069205",
  "citations": [
    "EP0766080A1",
    "US2002195086A1",
    "US2004182359A1",
    "US2010028819A1",
    "US5186146A",
    "US7217121B2",
    "US7619742B2",
    "US8070482B2"
  ]
}