Inventors:
William Norris - Lovelock NV, US
John A. Kleppe - Reno NV, US
Dana R. McPherson - Reno NV, US
Assignee:
Board of Regents of the University and College System of Nevada, on behalf of the University of Nevada, Reno - Reno NV
International Classification:
G06G 7/70
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for determining internal engine characteristics using acoustic-vibration data. Exemplary such data are passive acoustic pyrometer data. Acoustic-vibrational frequencies emanating from a running engine are detected and compared to frequencies having known relationships to particular operating characteristics of the engine. In an example, the dominant frequency or other prominent frequency emanating from an internal-combustion chamber of a turbine engine is detected and used to determine the fuel-to-air ratio in the chamber. The determined data are used for performing adjustments or optimizations of engine performance, such as adjusting the fuel-to-air ratio as required or desired. In a similar manner, operating characteristics of other engines or engine-like environments, including furnaces and boilers, can be determined.