GE Speedtronic turbine control is one of the most dependable turbine control systems on the market. GE developed and sold sophisticated turbine control systems for their gas and steam turbines beginning in the 1960s and continuing until the early 2000s. These systems are marketed under the SPEEDTRONIC brand name. Speedtronic systems began with the Mark I series and continued until the Mark VIe was released.
GE Speedtronic Turbine Control Systems
Mark I and II
The Mark I turbine control was first introduced in the late 1960s. MKI control panels had fifty PCBs (printed circuit boards) on average and three input loops, including a start-up, temperature, and speed loop. The Mark I employed a “redundancy by association” strategy. This meant that while the system was operating on one control, such as temperature, it was supported by the speed control. This provided the system with a process fail-safe, albeit not to the same extent as later, more sophisticated systems such as the Mark IV.
The Mark II improved on the Mark I by using solid-state integrated circuits and a new cabinet layout. For the first time, the circuitry enabled the practical use of complex functions such as combustion monitoring. Control was powered by three loops (startup/speed/temperature) in both the Mark I and Mark II, with the parameter requiring the least amount of fuel taking precedence. This minimum value gate’s output was denoted as VCE (electronic control voltage). This value determines the amount of fuel used. The MKI used 28 VDC relays for sequencing. For sequencing, the MKII made use of digital logic software.
The Mark III
Surprisingly, only a few Mark III systems were ever sold. Only a few made it through for the electro-hydraulic market, with none for gas turbine control. This Speedtronic turbine control system, on the other hand, had integrated circuits and was the first of the control systems to use microprocessors. It was also the first company to offer triple modular control for steam turbines.
However, it was only used on small and medium-sized turbine systems, which limited its market.
Mark IV
The Mark IV added a more user-friendly CRT operator interface that displayed the current state of logic functions and values. When compared to the previous method of finding the proper potentiometer on the correct board and adjusting manually using a connected voltmeter, the display made it easier for operators to change values when needed.
Mark V
When the Mark V debuted in 1991, it could be configured as a TMR or a Simplex Speedtronic Turbine control system. One of the most significant upgrades over the Mark IV was the addition of software-implemented fault tolerance (SIFT), which allowed fuel command signals to the digital servo to remain in sync. The MKV could be used to power compressors, pumps, or generators via steam or gas turbines. The Mark V’s operator interface could be set up with an I> Interface Data processor, which included a monitor, keyboard, and printer, or the system could be accessed via HMIs (human-machine interface.) The operator interface is usually configured to handle any communication with remote or external devices that may be present.
We offer a wide range of products including GE Mark I and GE Mark II, GE Mark III, GE Mark IV, GE Mark V, GE Excitation EX 2000, LCI Innovation Series, GE Drives, GE Mark VI, GE Mark VIe, GE Excitation EX 2100, GE Excitation EX 2100e, LCI Innovation Series, and more.
