Dual Level Pressurization Control for Gas Turbine Fuel Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas turbine engine fuel supply systems face challenges in maintaining optimal pump discharge backpressure, leading to difficulties in scheduling priority flow during engine startup, excessive fuel system heat generation, and increased horsepower consumption when supplying fuel to secondary loads.
Innovation Solution
A dual level pressurization control system utilizing a secondary flow control valve and a pressurizing valve with a control pressure select piston and pressure control piston, which adjusts pump discharge backpressure based on whether fuel is being supplied to secondary fuel loads, maintaining different minimum pressure values accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the minimum pump discharge backpressure is maintained at a higher level to accommodate secondary flow requirements, then the fuel supply to secondary fuel loads is ensured, but the scheduling of priority flow becomes difficult during engine startup
Solution Approach 1:
The pressurizing valve is designed with dual pressure settings (first minimum pressure value and second minimum pressure value) that can be dynamically selected based on operational conditions. The control system switches between these pressure levels depending on whether secondary fuel loads are active, allowing the system to adapt its backpressure requirement to current operational needs rather than maintaining a fixed high pressure at all times
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter of the pump discharge backpressure based on the operational state. When secondary fuel loads are not receiving fuel, the system lowers the minimum backpressure from the first value to the second value, enabling easier priority flow scheduling during engine startup while still maintaining sufficient pressure when secondary loads are active
2Reliability
If the minimum pump discharge backpressure is maintained at a higher level to accommodate secondary flow requirements, then the fuel supply to secondary fuel loads is ensured, but excessive fuel system heat is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the minimum pump discharge backpressure based on whether secondary fuel loads are active. By lowering the pressure requirement to the second minimum value when secondary loads are not operational, the system reduces unnecessary pressurization and the associated heat generation in the fuel system
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure parameter is changed from the first minimum pressure value to the second minimum pressure value based on operational conditions. This parameter change reduces the energy dissipation and heat generation in the fuel system when high pressure is not actually needed for secondary fuel supply
3Reliability
If the minimum pump discharge backpressure is maintained at a higher level to accommodate secondary flow requirements, then the fuel supply to secondary fuel loads is ensured, but horsepower consumption by the fuel pumps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel pump system operates with dynamic pressure requirements rather than a fixed high pressure. The control system adjusts the minimum backpressure setting based on whether secondary fuel loads are active, allowing the pump to operate at lower horsepower consumption levels during engine startup when secondary loads are not yet operational
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure operating parameter from the first minimum pressure value to the second minimum pressure value when secondary fuel loads are not receiving fuel. This parameter change directly reduces the horsepower consumption by the fuel pumps while maintaining sufficient pressure when needed
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 pump discharge backpressure without disrupting priority flow scheduling, reducing fuel system heat, and minimizing horsepower consumption, thereby optimizing fuel supply efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The control pressure select piston is responsive, at least in part, to fuel pressure at the secondary flow control valve outlet port to move between a first position and a second position
Implementation Method 2
the pressurizing valve, which is typically disposed downstream of the metering valve, functions to maintain a minimum system pressure magnitude in portions of the supply lines. More specifically, the pressurizing valve typically maintains pump discharge backpressure above a minimum pressure magnitude
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method provide dual level pressurization control of a fuel supply system based on whether fuel is being supplied to one or more secondary fuel loads. Fuel pump discharge backpressure is maintained above either a first minimum pressure value or a lower second minimum pressure value by determining whether fuel is being supplied to one or more secondary fuel loads. The fuel pump discharge pressure is maintained above the first minimum pressure value if it is determined that fuel is being supplied to the one or more secondary loads. The fuel pump discharge backpressure is maintained above the lower second minimum pressure value if it is determined that fuel is not being supplied to the one or more secondary loads.