Optical sensing of combustion dynamics

摘要

An optical radiation detector, such as a silicon carbide photodiode ultraviolet radiation detector, is employed for real time, noninvasive monitoring and diagnosis of combustion dynamics in gas turbine engines. The SiC photodiode responds to flame ultraviolet emission, and a Fast Fourier Transform spectrum analyzer peak acoustic frequency components of the detector signal as indicators of systematic gas pressure vibrations related to combustion. The combustion may be modified in accordance with the monitored acoustic frequency components.