BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to power generating systems and,
more particularly, to examples of an apparatus and system that can' modify the
temperature of vane separators found in power generating systems that deploy turbomachines
(e.g., gas and steam turbines).
Exposure to precipitation and/or other moisture may eventually produce
corrosion and/or other damage to components of a turbo-machine. To prevent moisture
from entering the turbo-machine, power generating systems may incorporate vane
separators that help to separate moisture (and/or particulates and/or debris) from air
entering and/or flowing through the power generating system. Although vane separators
generally remove moisture from the air entering the air inlet, such components may not
provide a solution to capture, or entrain, the smallest of moisture droplets. Moreover, in
some environments where cold temperatures prevail, the vane separators may become
frozen or ice bound. These conditions not only reduce the efficacy of the vane
separators, but may also impact the overall performance of the turbo-machine and, thus,
may require significant intervention by maintenance personnel to break-up and remove
ice from the surfaces of the vane separators.
The discussion above is merely provided for general background information
and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject
matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
This disclosure describes embodiments of a vane conditioning apparatus for
use 10 power generating systems. These embodiments generate one or more fluid
streams, e.g., air, which impinge on vane separators in the power generating system to
change the temperature of the vane separators. In one embodiment, the vane
2
conditioning apparatus comprises a vortex tube to convert pressurized supply to a hot
fluid stream and a cold fluid stream. A flow control device couples with the vortex tube
to regulate flow of the hot fluid stream and the cold fluid stream to the vane separators.
An advantage of the proposed embodiments of the apparatus is that the embodiments
change the temperature of the vane separators to capture droplets across a broader
spectrum and to prevent ice build-up that can occur during inclement weather conditions,
e.g., freezing fog and other icing conditions.
The disclosure describes, in one embodiment, a vane conditioning apparatus
that can couple with a vane stage in a power generating system. The vane conditioning
apparatus comprises a vane conditioning fluid generator that converts supply fluid to a
hot fluid stream and a cold fluid stream. The vane conditioning apparatus also comprises
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 has 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.
The disclosure also describes, in one embodiment, a system for changing
temperature of vane separators in a power generating system. The system comprises a
vortex tube with a first outlet and a second outlet and a flow control device coupled to the
first outlet and the second outlet. The system also comprises a controller coupled to the
flow control device, where the controller comprises a processor, memory, and executable
instructions stored on memory and configured to be executed by the processor. In one
example, the executable instructions comprise 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.
The disclosure further describes, in one embodiment, a power generating
system that comprises a turbo-machine and an inlet system coupled to the turbo-machine.
The inlet system directs air from the surrounding environment to the turbo-machine, the
inlet system comprising an inlet filter housing with a vane separator. The power
3
generating system also comprises a vane conditioning apparatus coupled to the inlet filter
housing. The vane conditioning apparatus converts supply fluid to a plurality of fluid
streams, including 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.
This brief description of the invention is intended only to provide a brief
overview of subject matter disclosed herein according to one or more illustrative
embodiments, and does not serve as a guide to interpreting the claims or to define or limit
the scope of the invention, which is defined only by the appended claims. This brief
description is provided to introduce an illustrative selection of concepts in a simplified
form that are further described below in the detailed description. This brief description is
not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter,
nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject
matter. The claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all
disadvantages noted in the background.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
So that the manner in which the features of the invention can be understood, a
detailed description of the invention may be had by reference to certain embodiments,
some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted, however,
that the drawings illustrate only certain embodiments of this invention and are therefore
not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the scope of the invention encompasses
other equally effective embodiments. The drawings are not necessarily to scale,
emphasis generally being placed upon illustrating the features of certain embodiments of
the invention. In the drawings, like numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout
the various views. Thus, for further understanding of the invention, reference can be
made to the following detailed description, read in connection with the drawings in
which:
4
FIG. 1 depicts a side schematic view of an exemplary vane conditioning
apparatus as part of an inlet system on a power generating system;
FIG. 2 depicts a schematic view of another exemplary vane conditioning
apparatus;
FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary flow pattern for the vane conditioning apparatus
of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 depicts an example of a vortex tube for use in a vane conditioning
apparatus such as the vane conditioning apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 5 depicts an example of a vane separator found in the power generating
system of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 6 depicts a schematic diagram of a system for changing temperature of
vane separators that can include a vane conditioning apparatus of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The discussion below highlights features of an apparatus, and an associated
power generating system, that can improve operation of a turbo-machine (e.g., a gas or
steam turbine). Broadly, the features help to remove condensate (e.g., water vapor and/or
moisture droplets) from air that enter~ the turbo-machine. In one aspect, the apparatus
introduces a fluid to vane separators that are found in the inlet system of the power
generating system. Examples of the fluid can comprise gasses (e.g., air and/or ambient
air) as well as liquids (e.g., water, refrigerants, etc.).
FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of one implementation of an exemplary
vane conditioning apparatus 100 (also "apparatus 100") for use with a power generating
system 102. In one example, the power generating system 102 features an inlet system
104 and a turbo-machine 106 with a compressor 108. During operation, the compressor
5
108 draws air 110 through the inlet system 104 to facilitate combustion at the turbomachine
106.
Moving now from left to right in the diagram of FIG. 1, air 110 travels
through a weather hood 112 into an inlet filter housing 114. The air 110 encounters a
filter stage 116 and one or more vane stages (e.g., a front vane stage 118 and a back vane
stage 120) that are found inside of the inlet filter housing 114. The filter stage 116 can
comprise a fi Iter media 122 that removes particulates from the air 110. The vane stages
118, 120 can comprise a plurality of vanes separators 124, which are in place to entrain
water vapor found in the air 110. A transition piece 126 couples the inlet filter housing
114 to an inlet duct 128. The physical characteristics of these elements help to develop
certain flow characteristics (e.g., velocity, pressure, etc.) in the flow of air 110. Inside of
inlet duct 128, the air 110 can encounter one or more other elements, e.g., a silencer
section 130, heating system 132, and screen element 134. The elements 130, 132, 134
are useful for further conditioning the air 110 as the air 110 travels through the inlet
system 104 to the turbo-machine 106.
As shown in FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the apparatus 100 couples with the
compressor 108 and/or a separate fluid supply 136 (e.g., a compressed air supply, a
pressurized liquid supply, etc.). This configuration provides supply fluid 138 (e.g., gases
and/or liquids) under pressure to the apparatus 100. In one embodiment, the apparatus
100 converts the supply fluid 138 to a plurality of fluid streams (e.g., a first fluid stream
140 and a second fluid stream 142). The apparatus 100 delivers the fluid streams 140,
142 to the inlet filter housing 114, and as discussed more below, the fluid streams 140,
142 alter the temperature of the vane separators 124.
The fluid streams 140, 142 can comprise warm and/or cold fluid (collectively,
"vane conditioning fluid") (e.g., air) at various temperatures to raise and lower the
temperature of the vane separators 124. In one example, the temperature of the vane
conditioning fluid raises the temperature of the vane separators 124 above the ambient
temperature of the air 110. The resulting temperature of the vane separators 124 does not
6
allow water vapor in the 110 to freeze on the surface of the vane separators 124. This
feature prevents ice build-up that can often occur when the power generating system 102
(FIG. 1) operates in environments that exhibit heavy fog and freezing fog conditions. In
another example, the vane conditioning fluid lowers the temperature of the vane
separators 124 below the temperature of the air 110. At this reduced temperature, the
vane separators 124 can induce a so-called "cold finger effect" in which water vapor in
the air 110 will condense from gas phase to liquid phase on the surface of the vane
separators 124. The cold-finger effect can also cause water droplets the vane separators
124 capture to combine, or coalesce, to form larger water droplets (e.g., greater than 10
microns), which the moving air 110 is less likely to carry from the surface of the vane
separators 124 to other parts ofthe inlet system 104.
FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a schematic block diagram of another example of a
vane conditioning apparatus 200 (also "apparatus 200") that can generate the vane
conditioning fluid discussed above. FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of the vane
conditioning apparatus 200. FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary fluid flow pattern with
arrows on the schematic diagram of FIG. 2 to depict the general direction of fluid flow
that occurs during operation, e.g., operation of power generating system 102 of FIG. 1.
Turning first to FIG. 2, the apparatus 200 includes a vane conditioning fluid
generator 202 and a flow control device 204. Ducts 206 couple the components of the
apparatus 200 together and to the supply 108, 136 and inlet filter housing 114. Examples
of the ducts 206 comprise tubes, conduits, and like elements through which fluid can
flow, e.g., among and between the vane conditioning fluid generator 202 and the flow
control device 204. In one example, the vane conditioning fluid generator 202 has a
supply inlet 208 and a pair of conditioned fluid outlets (e.g., a first conditioned fluid
outlet 210 and a second conditioned fluid outlet 212). The flow control device 204 has a
pair of conditioned fluid inlets (e.g., a first conditioned fluid inlet 214 and a second
conditioned fluid inlet 216) that couple with the conditioned fluid outlets 210,212 on the
vane conditioning fluid generator 202. The flow control device 204 also has a pair of
7
vane stage outlets (e.g., a first vane stage outlet 218 and a second vane stage outlet 220),
which can couple with the inlet filter housing 114.
The fluid flow pattern of FIG. 3 illustrates the direction of fluid flow in the
apparatus 200. During operation, the vane conditioning fluid generator 202 converts the
supply fluid 138 into a hot fluid stream 222 and a cold fluid stream 224. Comparatively,
the hot fluid stream 222 has a temperature that is higher relative to a temperature of the
cold fluid stream 224. Operation of the flow control device 204 can deliver the hot fluid
stream 222 and the cold fluid stream 224, as well as combinations thereof, as the first
_ fluid stream 140 and the second fluid stream 142 to the inlet filter housing 114.
Examples of the flow control device 204 can operate in one or more operating
states that determine the temperature of the first fluid stream 140 and the second fluid
stream 142. To effectuate these operating states, the flow control device 204 can
comprise one or more elements that actuate in response to signals, e.g., valves (e.g.,
solenoid valves). These elements can have, for example, an open position and a closed
position that permits and/or prevents the flow of fluid therethrough. In one
implementation, the operating states of the flow control device 204 include a first state
that permits the hot fluid stream 222 to flow as one or both of the first fluid stream 140
and the second fluid stream 142 and a second state that permits the cold fluid stream 224
to flow as one or both of the first fluid stream 140 and the second fluid stream 142. Other
operating states may exist to manage the temperature of the first fluid stream 140 and the
second fluid stream 142, e.g., by mixing the hot fluid stream 222 and the cold fluid
stream 224 together.
Various factors can determine the selection of the operating state (e.g., the
first state and the second state). For example, weather conditions that prevail in the
proximity of the power generating system 102 may require operation of the flow control
device 204 in the first state to defrost, melt, and prevent ice-build up on the surface of the
vanes (e.g., vane separators 124 of FIG. 1). High humidity and fog conditions, on the
8
other hand, may require operation of the flow control device 204 in the second state to
facilitate condensation of water vapor out of the saturated air 110.
FIG. 4 depicts an example of a vane conditioning fluid generator 300 in the
form of a vortex tube 302 and/or related mechanical device with no moving parts. The
vortex tube 302 can separate a supply fluid 304 (e.g., supply fluid 138 of FIGS. 1, 2, and
3) into a hot fluid stream 306 (e.g., hot fluid stream 222 of FIG. 3) and a cold fluid stream
308 (e.g., cold fluid stream 224 of FIG. 3). The vortex tube 302 includes an elongated
tubular body 310 and a nozzle element 312. Examples of the vortex tube 302 can
generate cold fluid with temperatures down to -10oe and hot fluid with temperatures up
to 125°e. The pressure of the supply fluid 304 can be from 10 psig and 120 psig.
As shown in FIG. 4, in one embodiment, compressed supply fluid 304 is
injected circumferentially into the vortex tube 302. Some of the fluid spins inward to the
center and travels longitudinally up the elongated tubular body 310 where the nozzle
element 312 turns the spinning column (i.e. the "vortex") of fluid inside itself. This
features creates two columns of fluid, e.g., an inside column and an outside column. In
one embodiment, heat from the inside column of fluid transfers to the outside column.
The elongated tubular body 310 directs the inside column of fluid, now cooler as a result
of the thermal energy transfer to the outside column of fluid, out of one end of the
elongated tubular body 310 as the cold fluid stream 308. The outside column of fluid
exhausts out of the opposite end of the elongated tubular body 302 proximate the nozzle
element 312 as the hot fluid stream 306. In one example, the position of the nozzle
element 312 relative to the elongated tubular body 310 controls properties (e.g.,
temperature, velocity, flow rate, etc.) of the hot fluid stream 306 and the cold fluid stream
308.
FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a vane separator 400 for use in the vane stages
(e.g., vane stages 118, 120 of FIG. 1). The vane separator 400 includes a curvilinear
body 402 with a plurality of channels 404 that extend from a first side 406 to a second
side 408 of the curvilinear body 402. The channels 404 have open ends to permit vane
9
conditioning fluid 410 to flow through. As discussed above, the vane conditioning fluid
410 can comprise fluid at varying temperatures to raise and lower the temperature of the
curvilinear body 402.
Examples of the curvilinear body 402 have a generally aerodynamic shape
that enables air (e.g., air 110 of FIG. 1) to flow across the vane separator 400 with
.relatively little resistance (e.g., drag). When placed in the path of air, however, the vane
400 provides adequate resistance to facilitate removing liquid and/or particulates from the
air, e.g., by condensation. The channels 404 provide a receptacle area into which the
condensed liquid can flow. In one example, the channels 404 also provide a conduit for
the liquid to flow out of the vanes 400, e.g., to a drain or other area of the vane stage.
FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of a system 500 to modify the
temperature of the vane separators to promote condensation of liquids in air (e.g., air 110
of FIG. 1) flowing through a power generating system. The system 500 includes a vane
conditioning apparatus 502 and a controller 504 that can exchange signals with the
apparatus 502 to effectuate operation. The controller 504 has a processor 506, memory
508, and control circuitry 510. Busses 512 couple the components of the controller 504
together to permit the exchange of signals, data, and information from one component of
the controller 504 to another. In one example, the control circuitry 510 comprises
sensing circuitry 514 which couples with sensors (e.g., an ambient humidity sensor 516,
an ambient temperature sensor 518, and a vane separator temperature sensor 520). The
control circuitry 510 also includes flow control circuitry 522 and vane fluid conditioning
generator circuitry 524 that couple with the vane conditioning apparatus 502. More
particularly, the flow control circuitry 522 can couple, e.g., with a flow control device
526 and the vane fluid conditioning generator circuitry 524 can couple, e.g., with a vortex
tube 528.
This configuration of components can dictate operation of the vane
conditioning apparatus 502 to control the temperature of fluid streams that heat and/or
cool the vane separators. For example, one or more of the sensors 516, 518, 520 can
10
provide signals (or inputs) that relate to information about the environment surrounding
the power generating system. This information may include weather information (e.g.,
temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, etc.) as well as information about
conditions inside of the power generating system, e.g., inside of the inlet system 104
(FIG. 1). In one example, the vane separator temperature sensor 520 comprises a
thermocouple (or, in one example, an array of thermocouples) to monitor the temperature
of a vane separator. Data from the thermocouple can cause the controller 504 to generate
signals (or outputs) that instruct the vane conditioning apparatus 502 to change the
temperature of the fluid streams. This combination of components can form a feedback
loop, which permits the system 500 to provide dynamic control of the temperature of the
vane separators.
Features of the elements of the controller can facilitate operation of this
feedback loop and, generally, control of the vane conditioning apparatus 502. The
controller 502 and its constructive components, for example, can communicate amongst
themselves and/or with other circuits (and/or devices), which execute high-level logic
functions, algorithms, as well as executable instructions (e.g., firmware and software
instructions and programs). Exemplary circuits of this type include, but are not limited
to, discrete elements such as resistors, transistors, diodes, switches, and capacitors.
Examples of the processor 504 include microprocessors and other logic devices such as
field programmable gate arrays ("FPGAs") and application specific integrated circuits
("ASICs"). Although all of the discrete elements, circuits, and devices function
individually in a manner that is generally understood by those artisans that have ordinary
skill in the electrical arts, it is their combination and integration into functional electrical
groups and circuits that generally provide for the concepts that are disclosed and
described herein.
The structure of the components in system 500 can permit certain
determinations as to the temperature of the fluid streams that the vane conditioning
apparatus 502 generates. For example, the electrical circuits of the controller 504 can
11
physically manifest theoretical analysis and logical operations and/or can replicate in
physical form an algorithm, a comparative analysis, and/or a decisional logic tree, each of
which operates to assign the output and/or a value to the output that correctly reflects one
or more of the nature, content, and origin of the changes that occur and that are reflected
by the relative inputs to the flow control device 526 and vane fluid conditioning generator
528 as provided by the corresponding control circuitry, e.g., in the control circuitry 510.
In one embodiment, the processor 506 is a central processing unit (CPU) such
as an ASIC and/or an FPGA that is configured to instruct and/or control operation of the
flow control device 526 and vane fluid conditioning generator 528. This processor can
also include state machine circuitry or other suitable components capable of controlling
operation of the components as described herein. The memory 508 includes volatile and
non-volatile memory and can store executable instructions including software (or
firmware) instructions and configuration settings. Each of the sensing circuitry 514, the
flow control circuitry 522, and the vane fluid conditioning generator circuitry 524 can
embody stand-alone devices such as solid-state devices. Examples of these devices can
mount to substrates such as printed-circuit boards and semiconductors, which can
accommodate various components including the processor 506, the memory 508, and
other related circuitry to facilitate operation of the controller 504 in connection with its
implementation in the system 500.
However, although FIG. 6 shows the processor 506, the memory 508, the
components of the control circuitry 510 as discrete circuitry and combinations of discrete
components, this need not be the case. For example, one or more of these components
can comprise a single integrated circuit (IC) or other component. As another example, the
processor 506 can include internal program memory such as RAM and/or ROM.
Similarly, anyone or more of functions of these components can be distributed across
additional components (e.g., multiple processors or other components)..
As used herein, an element or function recited in the singular and proceeded
with the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not excluding plural said elements or
12
functions, unless such exclusion is explicitly r,ecited. Furthermore, references to "one
embodiment" of the claimed invention should not be interpreted as excluding the
existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the
best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention,
including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated
methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may
include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are
intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not
differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural
elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims,
13
APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR CHANGING TEMPERATURE OF VANE
SEPARATORS IN A POWER GENERATING SYSTEM
PARTS LIST:
100 Vane conditioning apparatus
102 Power generating system
104 Inlet system
106 Turbo-machine
108 Compressor
110 Air
112 Weather hood
114 Inlet filter housing
116 Filter stage
118 Front vane stage
120 Back vane stage
122 Filter media
124 Vane separator
126 Transition piece
128 Inlet duct
130 Silencer section • 132 Heating system
134 Screen element
136 Separate fluid supply
138 Supply fluid
140 Fluid streams
142 Fluid streams
200 Vane conditioning apparatus
202 Vane conditioning fluid generator
204 Flow control device
14
206 Ducts
208 Supply inlet
210 First conditional fluid outlet
212 Second conditional fluid outlet
214 First conditional fluid inlet
216 Second conditional fluid inlet
220 Second vane stage outlet
222 Hot fluid stream
224 Cold fluid stream
300 Vane conditioning fluid generator
302 Vortex tube
304 Supply fluid
306 Hot fluid stream
308 Cold fluid stream
310 Tubular body
312 Nozzle element
400 Vane separator
402 Curvilinear body
404 Channels
406 First side • 408 Second side
410 Conditioning fluid
500 System
502 Vane conditioning apparatus
504 Controller
506 Processor
508 Memory
510 Control circuitry
512 Busses
15
514 Sensing circuitry
516 Humidity sensor
518 Temperature sensor
520 Vane separator temperature
522 Flow control circuitry
524 Vane fluid conditioning generator circuitry
526 Flow control device
528 Vortex tube

We Claim:
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 ofthe vane separator.
S. 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
11-
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
III
executable instructions comprise an executable instruction for selecting temperature of
the plurality of fluid streams in response to the input.