Actuated Fuel Injector Positioning for Gas Turbine Combustor Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine combustors face challenges with temperature maldistribution, emissions, acoustics, and operability issues such as lean blow-out and ignition, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a combustor with a combustor dome and multiple injector openings, where an actuator is connected to the injector to adjust the position and angle of the spray axis relative to the main axis, allowing for selective modification of fuel injection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional fuel injection techniques are used, then the system is simple and reliable, but temperature maldistribution and emissions cannot be effectively controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the injector movable rather than fixed. The injector can be repositioned axially and rotated angularly to dynamically adjust spray direction and location, enabling real-time optimization of temperature distribution and emissions control based on operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The injection system is segmented into movable injector components that can be independently controlled. The injector assembly is separated from the combustor structure, allowing individual adjustment of spray parameters through axial movement and angular rotation to achieve precise temperature and emissions control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed injectors are used, then the device complexity is low, but adaptability to different operating conditions and fault compensation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The injector is designed with dynamic positioning capabilities through axial movement and angular rotation mechanisms. This allows the spray axis to be repositioned to different locations and angles, enabling the system to adapt to varying operating conditions and compensate for injector faults by redistributing fuel spray patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical parameters of the injection process by varying the axial position and angular orientation of the injector. These parameter changes enable the spray to be directed to different locations within the combustor, providing adaptability to different operating conditions and fault tolerance capabilities.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional stationary injectors are used, then manufacturing and installation are simple, but temperature maldistribution and emissions cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The injector incorporates dynamic positioning mechanisms that allow precise control of spray location through axial movement and angular rotation. While the manufacturing complexity increases compared to stationary injectors, the system achieves superior spray positioning precision that enables optimization of temperature distribution and emissions control.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a combustor for a gas turbine defining a main axis extending in an upstream-downstream direction, the combustor including a combustor dome bounding an upstream portion of the combustor, wherein a plurality of injector openings are defined through the combustor dome. An injector defines a spray axis aligned with one of the plurality of injector openings for issuing a spray into the combustor along the spray axis. An actuator is operatively connected to the injector for movement of the injector relative combustor dome to adjust a relative position of the spray axis relative to the main axis to alter the position and/or direction of the spray injector during operation of the gas turbine engine.