Ruurd E Vanderleest

US Patent:

6347289, Feb 12, 2002

Filed:

Jul 28, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/124213

Inventors:

Ruurd Edward VanderLeest - Vernon CT

Assignee:

United Technologies Corporation - Hartford CT

International Classification:

G01M 17013

US Classification:

702115, 73 741

Abstract:

A method and an apparatus for determining the existence of an in-range failure of a speed sensor involves sensing the speed of a moving device at three consecutive instances in time, wherein the time intervals between these instances in time are preferably equally spaced, and wherein each time interval is relatively short in duration to thereby correlate in time to the waveform characteristics of most anticipated in-range speed sensor failures. The sensed speed at each of these three instances in time is utilized in an excursion formula, preferably implemented by programmable logic, that calculates the total sum of the change in speed between the three instances in time. The excursion formula is defined to be the difference between the sensed speed at the first most recent instance in time and the sensed speed at the second most recent instance in time, with this difference being added to the difference between the sensed speed at the first most recent instance in time and the sensed speed at the current instance in time. The absolute value of this sum is the resulting output of the excursion formula. The calculated total sum of the change in speed is then compared against a predetermined reference value and if the calculated sum exceeds the reference value, an in-range failure of the speed sensor is determined to exist.

US Patent:

7328098, Feb 5, 2008

Filed:

Apr 3, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/732318

Inventors:

Ruurd VanderLeest - Vernon CT, US
David R. Walton - South Glastonbury CT, US

Assignee:

United Technologies Corporation - Hartford CT

International Classification:

B60G 19/00

US Classification:

701100, 60785

Abstract:

The invention detects gas turbine bleed valve position discordances. The invention derives a modified exhaust gas temperature derivative as the predictive criteria in conjunction with a control logic to determine bleed valve position discordances that may indicate a mechanical failure in a valve, or in the control means for a valve.

US Patent:

7825721, Nov 2, 2010

Filed:

Oct 17, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/253329

Inventors:

Ruurd A. Vanderleest - Vernon CT, US
Brett Marples - Yorktown Heights NY, US

Assignee:

United Technologies Corp. - Hartford CT

International Classification:

H03B 1/00
H03K 5/00
H04B 1/10

US Classification:

327551, 327552

Abstract:

Systems and methods for filtering analog signals corresponding to sensed parameters are provided. In this regard, a representative method includes: sampling the analog signal to acquire a sequential series of data points; determining a first cumulative change in value with respect to a first of the data points relative to at least two subsequent data points in the series, the subsequent data points including a second of the data points; determining a second cumulative change in value with respect to the second of the data points relative to at least two data points adjacent to the second of the data points in the series, the at least two adjacent data points including an immediately preceding and an immediately succeeding one of the data points relative to the second of the data points; comparing the first cumulative change and the second cumulative change to respective data thresholds; and outputting a filtered analog signal based, at least in part, on results of the comparing.

US Patent:

8297036, Oct 30, 2012

Filed:

Jun 11, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/137492

Inventors:

Ruurd A. Vanderleest - Vernon CT, US
Stuart S. Hay - South Windsor CT, US

Assignee:

United Technologies Corporation - Hartford CT

International Classification:

F02C 9/26

US Classification:

60 39091, 60772, 60773, 60779, 60734, 60 39281

Abstract:

A controller for a turbine power plant that is operable to identify a failure condition and measure a shutoff valve performance.

US Patent:

55819958, Dec 10, 1996

Filed:

Mar 14, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/404474

Inventors:

Michael Lucenko - Glastonbury CT
Ruurd E. Vanderleest - Vernon CT
Kenneth J. St. Onge - West Hartford CT

Assignee:

United Technologies Corporation - Hartford CT

International Classification:

F02C 900

US Classification:

60 3902

Abstract:

A gas turbine power plant for producing electricity includes a gas turbine engine having a burner receiving a fuel flow and compressed air. The burner provides ignition of said fuel flow to produce a jet exhaust for propelling a power turbine. The power turbine has a rotatable turbine shaft adapted to drive a generator. During operation of the power plant various conditions can cause the burner not to ignite the fuel flow, known as burner blowout. Burner blowout results in unburned fuel flowing downstream to the detriment of the power plant. The gas turbine power plant of the present invention incorporates a method and apparatus for detecting burner blowout and limiting the consequences of blowout for the power plant.

US Patent:

20140152009, Jun 5, 2014

Filed:

Nov 27, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/091703

Inventors:

- Hartford CT, US
Ruurd A. Vanderleest - Vernon CT, US

Assignee:

United Technologies Corporation - Hartford CT

International Classification:

H02P 9/00

US Classification:

290 7

Abstract:

A controller for a power generating system that includes an engine and a generator, wherein the engine provides mechanical force to the generator, which converts the mechanical force to electrical energy that is distributed via a distribution network. The controller includes a complementary filter that applies a low-frequency response to changes in the monitored power output and a high-frequency response to changes in the monitored grid frequency. The complementary filter combines outputs of the high-frequency response and low-frequency response to generate a process variable. A feedback controller generates a fuel flow value in response to the process variable.