Active Spool Scheduling for Secondary Nozzle Noise Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel injectors with passive flow scheduling valves face challenges in noise mitigation and structural integrity due to natural frequency excitation in gas turbine combustors, requiring costly and weight-intensive adjustments to fuel manifolds and flow dividing hardware.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a solenoid valve connected to a hydromechanical valve spool in a scheduling valve assembly, allowing for active regulation of flow through primary and secondary circuits, enabling precise control of fuel injection and reducing noise by varying the flow area based on electrical power applied to the solenoid valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If passive flow scheduling valves are used, then the system is simple and cost-effective, but noise and structural stress increase due to natural frequency excitation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely passive mechanical flow scheduling valve with an active electromagnetic solenoid valve that can dynamically control fuel flow. The solenoid valve uses electromagnetic fields to actuate a spool mechanism, enabling active regulation of flow distribution between primary and secondary circuits to prevent combustor noise and vibration while maintaining system effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static passive valve to a dynamic active valve system. The solenoid valve can actively adjust the spool position to vary flow distribution between primary and secondary circuits in real-time, allowing the system to respond to changing operating conditions and prevent resonance conditions that cause noise and structural stress.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If additional flow dividing hardware and fuel manifolds are added to mitigate noise, then noise is reduced, but weight, cost, and power requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The solenoid valve assembly performs multiple functions: it acts as both a flow control valve for the secondary circuit and a flow scheduling mechanism for distributing fuel between primary and secondary circuits. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate flow dividing hardware and additional fuel manifolds, reducing weight and cost while maintaining noise mitigation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the flow scheduling function and the secondary circuit control function into a single solenoid valve assembly. The spool mechanism simultaneously regulates flow to both the primary and secondary circuits, merging what would traditionally require separate components into one integrated unit, thereby reducing overall system weight and complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If additional flow dividing hardware and fuel manifolds are added to mitigate noise, then noise is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The solenoid valve assembly performs multiple functions: it acts as both a flow control valve for the secondary circuit and a flow scheduling mechanism for distributing fuel between primary and secondary circuits. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate flow dividing hardware and additional fuel manifolds, reducing weight and cost while maintaining noise mitigation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the flow scheduling function and the secondary circuit control function into a single solenoid valve assembly. The spool mechanism simultaneously regulates flow to both the primary and secondary circuits, merging what would traditionally require separate components into one integrated unit, thereby reducing overall system weight and complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides active patternation in fuel injection, reducing noise and structural stress in gas turbine engines while eliminating the need for additional flow dividing hardware, thus enhancing operational efficiency and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a solenoid valve member configured to control flow through the solenoid valve from the inlet to the outlet based on electrical power applied to an armature of the solenoid valve
Implementation Method 2
The valve spool can be biased to a closed position by one or more biasing members of the scheduling valve assembly
Implementation Method 3
The piston and orifice can be configured to regulate pressure differential across the valve assembly. The orifice can be in fluid communication in series between the inlet of the injector and the inlet of the solenoid valve
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes an injector having a scheduling valve assembly and a nozzle in fluid communication with the valve assembly. The scheduling valve assembly is configured for regulation of flow from an inlet of the injector to the nozzle. The injector includes two fluid circuits between the inlet of the injector and two respective outlets of the nozzle for staged flow output from the nozzle. A first one of the two fluid circuits is a primary circuit, and a second one of the two fluid circuits is a secondary circuit. A solenoid valve is connected in fluid communication with the scheduling valve assembly, wherein the solenoid valve is configured to adjust position of a hydromechanical valve spool of the valve assembly.