Apparatus and system for changing temperature of vane separators in a power generating system

Abstract

This disclosure describes embodiments of a vane conditioning apparatus for use in power generating systems. These embodiments generate one or more fluid streams, which impinge on vane separators in the power generating system to change the temperature of the vane separators. In one embodiment, the vane conditioning apparatus comprises a vortex tube to convert pressurized supply air to a hot fluid stream and a cold fluid stream. A flow control device couples with the vortex tube to regulates flow of the hot fluid stream and the cold fluid stream to the vane separators.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vane conditioning apparatus that can couple with a vane stage in a power generating system, said vane conditioning apparatus comprising:
 a vane conditioning fluid generator that converts supply fluid to a hot fluid stream and a cold fluid stream; and   a flow control device coupled to the vane conditioning fluid generator to receive the hot fluid stream and the cold fluid stream, the flow control device having a plurality of operating states to direct one or both of the hot fluid stream and the cold fluid stream to change a temperature of a vane separator in the vane stage.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vane conditioning fluid generator mechanically converts the supply fluid to the hot fluid stream and the cold fluid stream. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vane conditioning fluid generator comprises a vortex tube. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hot fluid stream has a temperature that can raise the temperature of the vane separator to prevent moisture from freezing on a surface of the vane separator. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cold fluid stream has a temperature that can lower the temperature of the vane separator to promote phase change of water vapor in air from vapor to liquid. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of operating states comprises a first state to direct the hot fluid stream to the vane separator. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of operating states comprises a second state to direct the cold fluid stream to the vane separator. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller coupled to the flow control device, the controller comprising a processor, memory, and executable instructions stored on memory and configured to be executed by the processor, the executable instruction comprising an executable instruction for changing the state of the flow control device in response to an input from a sensor. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the sensor measures the temperature of the vane separator. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the executable instructions further comprise an executable instruction for changing the temperature of one of the hot fluid stream and the cold fluid stream. 
     
     
         11 . A system for changing temperature of vane separators in a power generating system, said system comprising:
 a vortex tube with a first outlet and a second outlet;   a flow control device coupled to the first outlet and the second outlet; and   a controller coupled to the flow control device, the controller comprising a processor, memory, and executable instructions stored on memory and configured to be executed by the processor, the executable instruction comprising an executable instruction to operate the flow control device in a first state to direct hot fluid from the vortex tube to the vane separators and a second state to direct cold fluid from the vortex tube to the vane separators.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a vane temperature sensor coupled to the controller, the vane temperature sensor generating an input that reflects a temperature on the surface of the vane separators, wherein the executable instruction comprise executable instruction for selecting the first state and the second state in response to the input from the vane temperature sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising an ambient temperature sensor coupled to the controller, the ambient temperature sensor generating an input that reflects a temperature of air flowing through the power generating system, wherein the executable instruction comprise executable instruction for selecting the first state and the second state in response to the input from the ambient temperature sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the executable instructions comprise an executable instruction for selecting the first state and the second state in response to weather conditions of the environment surrounding the power generating system. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the executable instruction comprise executable instructions for operating the vortex tube for setting a temperature of the hot fluid and the cold fluid. 
     
     
         16 . A power generating system, comprising:
 a turbo-machine;   an inlet system coupled to the turbo-machine, the inlet system directing air from the surrounding environment to the turbo-machine, the inlet system comprising an inlet filter housing with a vane separator; and   a vane conditioning apparatus coupled to the inlet filter housing, the vane conditioning apparatus converting supply fluid to a plurality of fluid streams comprising a first fluid stream at a first temperature to cool the vane separator to a temperature below air flowing in the inlet system and a second fluid stream at a second temperature to warm the vane separator to a temperature above air flowing in the inlet system.   
     
     
         17 . The power generating system of  claim 16 , wherein the turbo-machine provides the supply fluid. 
     
     
         18 . The power generating system of  claim 16 , wherein the vane conditioning apparatus comprises a vortex tube that receives the supply fluid. 
     
     
         19 . The power generating system of  claim 16 , further comprising a controller coupled to the vane conditioning apparatus, the controller comprising a processor, memory, and executable instructions stored on memory and configured to be executed by the processor, the executable instruction comprising an executable instruction to for changing the state of the flow control device in response to an input from a sensor. 
     
     
         20 . The power generating system of  claim 19 , further comprising a sensor coupled to the controller, wherein the sensor provides an input, and wherein the executable instructions comprise an executable instruction for selecting temperature of the plurality of fluid streams in response to the input.