초록 ▼

The present invention relates to a combustion controller for controlling the combustion of a flow of combustible and/or combusting fluid. The combustion controller comprises an inlet and an outlet which defines a flow path between them. A magnetic-field generator is arranged to generate a magnetic f

The present invention relates to a combustion controller for controlling the combustion of a flow of combustible and/or combusting fluid. The combustion controller comprises an inlet and an outlet which defines a flow path between them. A magnetic-field generator is arranged to generate a magnetic field across the flow path such that in use the fluid flows in the flow path through the magnetic field. As the fluid flows through the magnetic field an electric current is induced in the fluid. This results in energy being supplied to the fluid. This energy can assist is reignition. If the magnetic field is an alternating magnetic field then this induces an alternating current in the fluid. The frequency of this current can be controlled such that certain chemical reactions are either promoted or inhibited.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A combustion controller for controlling the combustion of a flow of combustible and/or combusting fluid, comprising: an inlet and an outlet defining a flow path between them, anda magnetic-field generator arranged to generate a magnetic field across the flow path, the magnetic-field generator com

1. A combustion controller for controlling the combustion of a flow of combustible and/or combusting fluid, comprising: an inlet and an outlet defining a flow path between them, anda magnetic-field generator arranged to generate a magnetic field across the flow path, the magnetic-field generator comprises a first pole piece having a cavity within which a second pole piece is located in such a way that an opening is formed between the first and second pole pieces which in use provides the flow path for the fluid and across which the magnetic field is generated,wherein in use the fluid flows in the flow path through the magnetic field, which then induces a flow of electric current in the fluid, thereby supplying energy to the fluid, the flow path is in the form of a closed loop in a plane perpendicular to the flow direction such that in use the induced current can flow in a closed loop entirely within the fluid, andwherein the first pole piece has a first recess and a second recess on an inner surface and the second pole piece has a first recess and a second recess on an outer surface. 2. A combustion controller according to claim 1, wherein the first pole piece is generally annular and the second pole piece is generally cylindrical, the first and second pole pieces being concentric, so that the flow path is annular in the plane perpendicular to the flow direction. 3. A combustion controller according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic-field generator comprises an electromagnet. 4. A combustion controller according to claim 3, wherein the magnetic-field generator generates an alternating magnetic field. 5. A combustion controller for controlling the combustion of a flow of combustible and/or combusting fluid, comprising: an inlet and an outlet defining a flow path between them, anda magnetic-field generator arranged to generate a magnetic field across the flow path, the magnetic-field generator comprises a first pole piece having a cavity within which a second pole piece is located in such a way that an opening is formed between the first and second pole pieces which in use provides the flow path for the fluid and across which the magnetic field is generated,wherein in use the fluid flows in the flow path through the magnetic field, which then induces a flow of electric current in the fluid, thereby supplying energy to the fluid, the flow path is in the form of a closed loop in a plane perpendicular to the flow direction such that in use the induced current can flow in a closed loop entirely within the fluid,wherein the magnetic-field generator comprises an electromagnet,wherein the magnetic-field generator generates an alternating magnetic field, andwherein the alternating magnetic field is combined with a steady magnetic field and the steady magnetic field is always in the same direction. 6. A combustion controller according to claim 4, wherein the alternating magnetic field is a combination of two or more frequencies. 7. A combustion controller according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic-field generator comprises first and second electromagnets, each including a pole piece and a winding. 8. A combustion controller according to claim 7, wherein the magnetic field generator further comprises a pair of permanent magnets. 9. A combustion controller according to claim 1, wherein the first recess on the inner surface of the first pole piece is spaced from the inlet by an inlet portion of the inner surface of the first pole piece, the first recess is spaced from the second recess on the inner surface of the first pole piece by a separating portion of the inner surface of the first pole piece, the second recess on the inner surface of the first pole piece is spaced from the outlet by an outlet portion of the inner surface of the first pole piece, the length of the separating portion is less than the length of the inlet portion and the length of the separating portion is less than the length of the outlet portion. 10. A combustion controller according to claim 1, wherein the first recess on the outer surface of the second pole piece is spaced from the inlet by an inlet portion of the outer surface of the second pole piece, the first recess is spaced from the second recess on the outer surface of the second pole piece by a separating portion of the outer surface of the second pole piece, the second recess on the outer surface of the second pole piece is spaced from the outlet by an outlet portion of the outer surface of the second pole piece, the length of the separating portion is less than the length of the inlet portion and the length of the separating portion is less than the length of the outlet portion. 11. A combustion controller according to claim 1, wherein a first winding is located in the first recess and a second winding is located in the second recess of the first pole piece. 12. A combustion controller according to claim 1, wherein a first winding is located in the first recess and a second winding is located in the second recess of the second pole piece. 13. A combustion controller according to claim 11, wherein the first recess is spaced from the second recess on the inner surface of the first pole piece by a separating portion, and the separating portion of the first pole piece between the first recess and the second recess of the first pole piece comprises a permanent magnet. 14. A combustion controller according to claim 12, wherein the first recess is spaced from the second recess on the outer surface of the second pole piece by a separating portion, and the separating portion of the second pole piece between the first recess and the second recess comprises a permanent magnet. 15. A combustion controller according to claim 1, wherein at least one fuel burner is located within the inlet between the first pole piece and the second pole piece. 16. A combustion controller according to claim 15, wherein a plurality of fuel burners are located within the inlet between the first pole piece and the second pole piece. 17. A combustion controller according to claim 15, wherein the at least one fuel burner is positioned upstream of the magnetic field generator. 18. A gas turbine engine comprising a combustion controller according to claim 1, wherein the gas turbine engine includes at least one compressor, at least one turbine and at least one shaft, the at least one turbine being arranged to drive the at least one compressor by the at least one shaft. 19. A combustion controller for controlling the combustion of a flow of combustible and/or combusting fluid, comprising: a magnetic-field generator, the magnetic field generator comprising a first pole piece and a second pole piece, the first pole piece having a cavity, the second pole piece being located in the cavity in the first pole piece,the first and second pole pieces defining an opening therebetween, the opening forming a flow path for the fluid, the flow path having an inlet and an outlet, the flow path being in the form of a closed loop in a plane perpendicular to a flow direction of the fluid between the inlet and the outlet of the flow path,the magnetic field generator being arranged to generate a magnetic field across a flow path, andat least one fuel burner being located within the inlet between the first pole piece and the second pole piece or at least one fuel burner being positioned upstream of the magnetic field generator or a fuel supply conduit being positioned upstream of the inlet between the first pole piece and the second pole piece,wherein the first pole piece has a first recess and a second recess on an inner surface and the second pole piece has a first recess and a second recess on an outer surface. 20. A combustion controller according to claim 1, wherein the opening is in the form of a closed loop in the plane perpendicular to the flow direction. 21. A combustion controller according to claim 19, wherein the opening is in the form of a closed loop in the plane perpendicular to the flow direction.