Continuous Ignition Flame Holder for Gas Turbine Combustors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spark igniters in gas turbine engines face challenges such as difficulty in igniting fuel in cold conditions, vulnerability to carbon deposits and icing, high voltage requirements, electromagnetic interference, and short lifespan, especially under low power or unstable operating conditions.
Innovation Solution
An air swirler system that imparts swirl to the air flow into the combustion chamber, combined with a fuel injector and a low-voltage DC glow plug igniter, allows for continuous ignition and stabilization of combustion, accommodating thermal expansion and reducing electromagnetic interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional spark igniters are used to ignite fuel and air mixture, then ignition can be achieved under normal conditions, but the igniters fail to provide reliable ignition in cold conditions and are vulnerable to carbon deposits and icing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ignition function from a conventional spark igniter and implements it through a flame holder that continuously burns fuel, eliminating the components vulnerable to carbon deposits and icing while maintaining reliable ignition capability across all operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous ignition through a flame holder that maintains a continuous burn of fuel rather than intermittent sparking, ensuring reliable ignition under all conditions including cold conditions, low power, and unstable operation where conventional spark igniters fail
2Power
If high voltage transformers are used to generate spark for ignition, then ignition energy can be achieved, but the system becomes heavy and requires heavy electrical cables and connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the high voltage transformer and spark generation system with a mechanical/chemical combustion system using a flame holder that continuously burns fuel, eliminating heavy electrical components while maintaining sufficient ignition energy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simple fuel injection system with a flame holder that consumes small amounts of fuel continuously, replacing expensive and heavy high voltage transformers with a simpler, lighter fuel-based ignition system
3Reliability
If spark igniters operate continuously to prevent flameout during bad weather, then flameout prevention is achieved, but the igniters experience early deterioration and failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous operation of the flame holder to prevent flameout during bad weather, and through continuous operation, the flame holder achieves stability and longevity that intermittent spark igniters cannot match
4Reliability
If fuel is sprayed toward the combustor wall near the igniter to improve ignition chances, then ignition probability increases, but the igniter becomes wet and carbon formations occur making ignition more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fuel spray function from near the igniter and implements it through a dedicated fuel injector positioned at the flame holder, separating the fuel delivery function from the ignition function and preventing carbon formation on ignition components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a flame holder as an intermediary component that receives fuel through a fuel injector and provides a controlled combustion zone, mediating between fuel injection and ignition while preventing direct contact between fuel spray and igniter components
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 enables reliable and efficient ignition, extends engine component life, reduces emissions, and maintains stable combustion under adverse conditions with lower power consumption and less electromagnetic interference.
Implementation Method 1
the air swirler is configured to impart swirl onto a flow of air entering the combustion chamber
Implementation Method 2
An axial spring can bias the elbow toward the inner wall, and a radially oriented spring can bias the exhaust tube toward the elbow
Implementation Method 3
igniting the fuel and air flow with the igniter
Data Source
AI summary
An ignition system (100) includes a housing (108) defining an interior and an exhaust outlet (110). The housing (108) is configured and adapted to be mounted to a combustor (104) to issue flame from the exhaust outlet (110) into the combustor (104) for ignition and flame stabilization within the combustor (104). A fuel injector (112) is mounted to the housing (108) with an outlet of the fuel injector (112) directed to issue a spray of fuel into the interior of the housing (108). An igniter (114) is mounted to the housing (108) with an ignition point of the igniter proximate the outlet of the fuel injector (112) for ignition within the interior of the housing (108).