Cryogenic Fuel Distribution With Pump Bypass for Phase Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft engines powered by aviation turbine fuel emit high levels of pollutants, and transitioning to hydrogen fuel, which is less energy-dense in its gaseous form and has low boiling and freezing points, poses challenges in efficient distribution and combustion.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic fuel distribution system with a bypass pathway and vaporizer configuration is employed to manage hydrogen fuel, utilizing low and high-pressure pumps, recirculation valves, and actuators to maintain optimal pressure and phase for efficient delivery to the engine combustor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If hydrogen fuel is used to reduce emissions, then environmental performance is improved, but energy density and combustion stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of hydrogen fuel from gaseous to liquid/supercritical phase. This parameter change increases the energy density of hydrogen fuel, allowing it to be stored and transported more efficiently while maintaining the emission-reduction benefits of hydrogen combustion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of hydrogen fuel, specifically transitioning from gaseous to liquid or supercritical phase for storage and delivery. This phase transition enables the system to overcome the low energy density of gaseous hydrogen while preserving the environmental advantages of hydrogen as a fuel source.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If hydrogen fuel is used, then emissions are reduced, but combustion stability and flame propagation deteriorate due to low freezing point and gaseous form
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature and pressure parameters to maintain hydrogen fuel in a liquid or supercritical state. This parameter control ensures stable combustion characteristics by preventing the fuel from existing in a gaseous form that would lead to poor combustion stability and flame propagation issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs phase transitions to convert hydrogen fuel into a liquid or supercritical phase before delivery to the combustor. This phase transition improves combustion stability and flame propagation compared to gaseous hydrogen, while maintaining the emission-reduction benefits.
3Productivity
If pressure is increased to improve fuel delivery, then fuel flow rate is improved, but cavitation risk increases in pumps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the phase parameter of hydrogen fuel to liquid or supercritical state, which allows for higher pressure operation without cavitation. This parameter change enables improved fuel flow rate while maintaining pump reliability, as the liquid phase does not undergo the phase transition that causes cavitation in gaseous fuels.
4Stress or pressure
If bypass pathway is added to control pressure, then pressure distribution is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass pathway serves multiple functions: it controls pressure distribution, prevents cavitation, and enables proper phase maintenance of the hydrogen fuel. By making the bypass pathway multi-functional, the system achieves improved pressure control without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass pathway acts as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between the high-pressure fuel delivery requirements and the cavitation prevention needs. This intermediary structure allows the system to achieve balanced pressure distribution while managing overall system complexity.
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 ensures efficient and stable combustion of hydrogen fuel, reducing emissions and optimizing engine performance by maintaining fuel at supercritical or gaseous phases and preventing cavitation, while ensuring even pressure distribution and avoiding air bubbles.
Implementation Method 1
a vaporizer in communication with the fuel delivery assembly for heating the hydrogen fuel in the liquid phase to a gaseous phase
Implementation Method 2
maintaining fuel at supercritical or gaseous phases and preventing cavitation
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatus, articles of manufacture, and methods are disclosed that include a fuel distribution system for an engine, the fuel distribution system comprising: a first pump downstream of a fuel tank; a first motor coupled to the first pump; a second pump downstream of the first pump; a second motor coupled to the second pump; a third pump downstream of the second pump, the third pump having an inlet and an outlet; a bypass pathway from the outlet of the third pump to the inlet of the third pump; and a recirculation valve, the recirculation valve in line with the bypass pathway.