Coke Tolerant Fuel Filter with Conical Apices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas turbine engine fuel filters face issues with stagnant areas where particulates like coke can accumulate, leading to reduced filtration efficiency and potential clogging due to higher fuel temperatures promoting coke growth.

Innovation Solution

The fuel filter design features a plurality of apices and ridges that minimize stagnant areas by tapering inwardly from a larger top opening to a smaller bottom opening, with slanted sides that scour away coke deposits and enhance the coefficient of discharge through optimized geometry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional fuel filters with cylindrical holes are used, then filtration is provided, but stagnant areas form where coke accumulates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration efficiencyVSAvoidcoke accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by transitioning from cylindrical holes to conical openings with tapered sides. The conical geometry eliminates stagnant areas where coke could accumulate, as the sloped surfaces prevent deposit formation and facilitate easier contaminant removal compared to vertical cylindrical walls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the traditional cylindrical geometry by using conical openings that taper inward. This geometric inversion changes the flow dynamics and eliminates the stagnant zones that form in cylindrical structures, thereby preventing coke accumulation while maintaining filtration function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Temperature

If fuel temperature increases due to heat sink effect, then heat is dissipated, but coke growth is promoted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel temperatureVSAvoidcoke growth

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of elevated fuel temperature (which promotes coke growth) into a beneficial outcome by designing conical openings that prevent coke accumulation. The geometry ensures that even at higher temperatures, coke cannot form stagnant deposits, and the sloped surfaces actually facilitate coke fracture and removal, turning the temperature-induced coke formation into a manageable condition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If filter openings are reduced to capture particulates, then filtration improves, but flow rate decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration efficiencyVSAvoidfuel flow rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The conical geometry with curved tapered surfaces reduces flow resistance compared to cylindrical openings of the same nominal size. The curved surfaces guide flow more efficiently, maintaining higher velocity and reducing pressure drop, thereby preserving fuel flow rate while achieving effective particulate capture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the filter openings from cylindrical to conical, specifically the taper angle and opening dimensions. This parameter optimization allows the openings to maintain sufficient size for adequate flow rate while providing effective filtration through the conical geometry that prevents stagnant area formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design effectively prevents coke accumulation, maintains filtration efficiency, and increases the coefficient of discharge, ensuring optimal fuel flow and component protection by minimizing low velocity areas and promoting coke fracture and removal.

Implementation Method 1

A side attaches the first opening and the second opening and tapers inwardly from the first opening to the second opening to minimize stagnant areas along the ridges and apices

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow velocity optimization:

Implementation Method 2

slanted sides that scour away coke deposits

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid scouring:

Implementation Method 3

enhance the coefficient of discharge through optimized geometry

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoefficient of discharge optimization:

Data Source

PatentUS9381452B2Coke tolerant fuel filter

Publication Date: 2016.07.05 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP

AI summary

A filter for use with a fuel system having contaminants has a plurality of apices and a plurality of ridges, where each ridge attaches an apex to an adjacent apex. A plurality of ridges and adjoining apices define a first opening that is in register with a second opening wherein the second opening has less surface area than the first opening. A side attaches the first opening and the second opening and tapers inwardly from the first opening to the second opening to minimize stagnant areas along the ridges and apices.