Bleed Valve Assembly for Turbine Tubing Fluid Evacuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas turbine engines face challenges in removing residual fluids such as air, mist, and fuel from tubing systems after shutdown to prevent engine vibration and ensure safe operation before subsequent start-ups.

Innovation Solution

A bleed valve assembly is integrated into the tubing system, comprising a tube boss and a bleed adaptor with a hose connection, allowing fluid to be directed through a bleed opening and into a passage for removal, facilitating the evacuation of fluids from the system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a bleed valve assembly is integrated into the tubing system to remove residual fluids, then fluid removal capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid removal capabilityVSAvoidtubing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bleed adaptor integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides a bleed opening for fluid removal, includes an integrated seal, and features a hose connection. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate parts needed while maintaining effective fluid removal capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bleed adaptor serves multiple purposes: it acts as a fluid removal pathway, provides sealing to prevent leaks, and includes a hose connection for fluid discharge. This multi-functionality allows a single component to address multiple requirements, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If a bleed valve assembly with hose connection is added to the tubing system, then fluid evacuation effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid evacuation effectivenessVSAvoidassembly manufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The seal is integrated directly into the bleed adaptor structure, eliminating the need for separate seal installation steps. The hose connection is also built into the adaptor, combining multiple assembly operations into a single component manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bleed valve assembly is designed as a modular unit that can be manufactured separately and then installed into the tubing system. This segmentation allows for specialized manufacturing of the bleed adaptor with its integrated features, while the rest of the tubing system can be manufactured using standard processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2971702B1Bleed valve assembly
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 UNITED TECH CORP
  • EP2971702B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2971702B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2971702B1 patent drawingFigure 4A

AI summary

A bleed valve assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a bleed adaptor having an inlet portion, a fitting opposite the inlet portion, an adaptor body that extends between the inlet portion and the fitting, and a bleed opening disposed on the adaptor body that is selectively exposed to direct fluid into the bleed adaptor.