Passive Stability Bleed Valve with Adjustable Pressure Regulator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stability bleed valves in gas turbine engines lack effective solutions for engine start, stability, and stall recovery, particularly during compressor surge and low power conditions.
Innovation Solution
A solenoid valve system integrated with a pressure regulator and center guide, which provides ambient pressure to control the valve's operation, ensuring both passive and active modes of closure to prevent excessive leakage, utilizing a spring-loaded piston mechanism and adjustable pressure settings to manage compressor discharge pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring-loaded poppet valve is used for stability bleed control, then the valve can gradually close during engine start, but it cannot provide reliable closure during compressor surge and stall recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static spring-loaded poppet valve into a dynamic system with two distinct operational modes. A solenoid valve provides active control for reliable closure during critical conditions (compressor surge, stall recovery), while a pressure regulator enables passive operation during normal engine start. The system adapts its control strategy based on operational requirements, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a solenoid valve as an intermediary control element between the control system and the bleed air flow. This intermediary provides precise active control when needed, supplementing the passive spring-loaded mechanism and enabling reliable closure during critical operational phases while maintaining the original gradual closure capability during normal operation.
2Reliability
If the valve remains open during engine start to prevent compressor surge, then compressor stability is maintained, but excessive leakage occurs during closure phases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure regulator is configured to maintain the valve in a controlled open state during engine start, preventing compressor surge before it occurs. The regulator proactively manages pressure buildup by allowing controlled leakage during the critical start phase, then transitions to reliable closure when the engine reaches stable operating conditions, eliminating excessive leakage at the appropriate time.
3Device complexity
If a passive spring-loaded valve design is used, then the structure is simple, but the valve cannot provide active control for stability and stall recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two distinct valve control mechanisms into a single integrated system. The passive spring-loaded poppet valve structure is combined with an active solenoid valve and pressure regulator assembly. This integration maintains the structural simplicity and gradual closure capability of the original design while adding active control capability for stability and stall recovery operations.
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
The system effectively manages compressor surge and stall recovery by ensuring reliable closure of the valve during engine start and operation, reducing leakage and maintaining system stability across varying pressure conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A solenoid valve system integrated with a pressure regulator and center guide, which provides ambient pressure to control the valve's operation
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a spring-loaded piston mechanism and adjustable pressure settings to manage compressor discharge pressure
Implementation Method 3
The pressure regulator valve may be integral with the housing... ensures reliable closure of the valve during engine start and operation
Data Source
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AI summary
A bleed air valve (100) comprises a housing (102) that includes an inlet (104), an outlet (106), and a center portion (107) to selectively provide a pneumatic flow path between the inlet (104) and the outlet (106). A piston (118) moves along a center guide (112) in response to forces applied to the piston, where the piston (118) is spring biased to an open position. The valve also comprises a pressure regulator valve (119) that comprises a spring loaded poppet valve that includes a pressure regulator inlet (120) that receives an inlet pressure which is regulated based upon force applied to a pressure regulator piston (122). A valve spring (130) applies a force to the piston first surface to spring bias the bleed air valve (100) to the open position. A solenoid valve (130) receives a command signal and in response provides compressed air to a solenoid valve outlet (136) that is in fluid communication with the pressure regulator inlet.