Concentric Dual Fuel Delivery System for Gas Turbines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dual fuel delivery systems for gas turbine engines face challenges such as complexity, space constraints, and thermal and vibrational instabilities, which affect operational efficiency and flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A dual fuel delivery system comprising a main fuel line with concentric fuel gas and oil conduits, a fuel ring with gas and oil rings, and extension means like bellows and hoses to manage thermal and vibrational stability, along with a fuel manifold for efficient fuel supply, and a dual fuel nozzle for compact and stable fuel injection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate fuel ring pipes are used for each fuel type, then fuel delivery capability is provided, but device complexity increases and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedual fuel delivery capabilityVSAvoidnumber of supply lines and connections
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested concentric tube structure where the inner tube carries one fuel type (e.g., gas) and the outer tube carries another fuel type (e.g., liquid fuel). This nesting approach consolidates what would traditionally require separate pipes into a single integrated assembly, reducing the number of supply lines and connections while maintaining dual fuel delivery capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple fuel delivery functions into a single integrated fuel nozzle assembly that includes both gas and liquid fuel delivery systems. The concentric tubes are combined with a common body structure and shared connection points, consolidating multiple separate supply lines into a unified device that delivers both fuel types through a single interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate fuel lines are used, then dual fuel supply is achieved, but space constraints are not adequately addressed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedual fuel supply capabilityVSAvoidspace occupied by fuel delivery system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The concentric tube configuration places the inner fuel delivery tube within the outer fuel delivery tube, effectively utilizing the radial space around the inner tube. This nested arrangement allows dual fuel supply while occupying significantly less volumetric space than would be required for two separate parallel pipe installations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a planar or parallel arrangement of fuel lines to a three-dimensional concentric configuration. By utilizing the radial dimension and nesting tubes within tubes, the system achieves compact spatial occupation while maintaining separate fuel delivery pathways, effectively solving the space constraint problem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Stability of the object's composition

If rigid fuel delivery system is used, then structural stability is provided, but thermal and vibrational instabilities occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidthermal and vibrational stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates flexible bellows into the fuel delivery system at connection points between rigid components. These bellows act as flexible elements that can expand and contract to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the fuel lines, as well as absorb vibrational stresses, thereby maintaining system reliability while preserving the structural stability of the rigid portions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs expansion joints and flexible connections that allow the fuel delivery system to dynamically adjust its physical parameters (length, position) in response to changing thermal and vibrational conditions. This parameter flexibility enables the system to maintain structural integrity and reliability under varying operational conditions without compromising the stability of the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3073097B1Integrated dual fuel delivery system
Publication Date: 2019.06.12 ANSALDO ENERGIA SWITZERLAND AG
  • EP3073097B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3073097B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3073097B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to dual fuel delivery system for a gas turbine. A dual fuel delivery system (400) for a gas turbine comprises: a main fuel line (402) having a main fuel oil conduit (406) and a main fuel gas conduit (404), wherein the main fuel gas conduit (404) encloses, at least partially, the main fuel oil conduit (406);and a fuel ring (408) connected to the main fuel line (402), the fuel ring having a fuel gas ring (410) connected to the main fuel gas conduit (404) and a fuel oil ring (414) connected to the main fuel oil conduit (406), wherein the fuel gas ring (410) encloses, at least partially, the fuel oil ring (414).