Patent ID: 7310950
Filing Date: 2007-12-25
Classification: F02C,F05D,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method of controlling inlet airflow cooling of a power generating system comprising a combustion turbine engine having a combustion turbine air inlet for receiving the inlet airflow and a cooling means affecting an approach temperature of the inlet airflow, the method comprising: controlling the approach temperature as a function of load on the power generating system wherein the approach temperature is controlled over transient load conditions on the power generating system of between about a 70% load and a baseload rating of the power generating system; connecting a unitary hollow body of an inlet airflow temperature sensor in fluid communication with the inlet airflow to intercept a portion of the inlet airflow, the inlet airflow temperature sensor comprising a temperature sensing device carried by the unitary hollow body; generating a tortuous path of airflow through an interior of the unitary hollow body to reduce water accumulation on the temperature sensing device while reading a signal from the temperature sensing device; and using the signal from the temperature sensing device to calculate the approach temperature.