Method of monitoring check valves arranged in gas feed lines of a gas engine
A method of monitoring check valves ( 6 ) arranged in gas feed lines ( 5 ) of a gas engine includes determining a temperature (S 1 ) according to which a signal transmitter is activated (S 3 ) when a detected temperature in a gas feed line ( 5 ) lies outside of a first designated target range; and transmitting (S 3 ) a signal which carries information indicating the gas feed line ( 5 ) in which the temperature lying outside of the first target range was detected and/or the cylinder ( 10 ) with which the gas feed line ( 5 ) is associated.
1. A method of monitoring mechanical or electronic check valves arranged in gas feed lines of a gas engine by means of detecting a temperature using one sensor arranged adjacent to one of a check valve ( 6 ) and a gas valve ( 7 ), said method comprising:
detecting, by the sensor, the temperature in a portion ( 11 ) of a gas feed line located adjacent to the check valve ( 6 ) or in a portion ( 12 ) located adjacent to the gas valve ( 7 );
activating a signal transmitter when a detected temperature by the sensor in a gas feed line lies outside of a first designated target range;
transmitting the signal which carries information indicating one of the gas feed line ( 5 ) in which the temperature lying outside of the first target range was detected and the cylinder ( 10 ) of the gas engine ( 13 ) with which the gas feed line ( 5 ) is associated;
identifying the check valve as defective based on the transmitted signal; and designating the defective check valve for replacement when the temperature is outside of the first target range; and
switching off the gas engine (S 5 ) when the detected temperature in the gas feed line ( 5 ) lies outside of a second designated target range due to the defective check valve.
2. The method according to claim 1 , characterized in that at least one of a first and second target range of the temperature in a gas feed line ( 5 ) is specified as a function of at least one of an operating duration and load condition of the gas engine or a pressure or both.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the signal transmitter is activated (S 3 ) when the detected temperature lies outside of the first designated target range over a first designated time period.
4. The method according to claim 1 , additionally comprising the step of switching the engine off (S 5 ) when the detected temperature lies outside of the second designated target range over a second designated time period.
5. A gas engine comprising:
at least one pre-chamber ( 3 );
at least one sensor ( 8 , 9 ) constructed for detecting a temperature and arranged in a gas feed line ( 5 ) leading to said pre-chamber ( 3 ) and outfitted with a mechanical or electronic check valve ( 6 ), said sensor ( 8 , 9 ) arranged adjacent to one of a check valve ( 6 ) and a gas valve ( 7 ); and
a signal transmitter that is activated when a detected temperature by the at least one sensor lies outside of a first designated target range and configured to transmit a signal which carries information indicating one of the gas feed line ( 5 ) in which the temperature lying outside of the first target range was detected and a cylinder ( 10 ) of the gas engine ( 13 ) with which the gas feed line ( 5 ) is associated to designate the one of a check valve ( 6 ) and a gas valve ( 7 ) as defective and identified for replacement; and
a shut off configured to switch off the gas engine when the detected temperature in the gas feed line ( 5 ) lies outside of a second designated target range.