Elliptical Fuel Distribution Assembly for Turbomachine Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel distribution assemblies for turbomachines are complex, expensive, heavy, and inefficient due to rectangular conduit sections causing low flow rates and pressure losses, with manufacturing processes leading to deformations and high material costs.
Innovation Solution
A fuel distribution assembly manufactured via additive manufacturing with elliptical conduit sections and a support plate, featuring elliptical and water drop-shaped inlets/outlets, and stiffening ribs, ensuring improved fluid flow and reduced mass.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate supply tube assemblies are obtained by machining or lost wax casting, then the distribution assembly can be manufactured, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate supply tube assemblies into a single integrated distribution assembly manufactured by additive manufacturing. This merging eliminates the need for multiple machining operations and assembly steps, directly resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional machining and lost wax casting methods to additive manufacturing. This parameter change in the manufacturing process enables complex geometries to be produced as a single piece, reducing both manufacturing complexity and final assembly complexity while maintaining structural integrity.
2Ease of manufacture
If machined metal plates are superimposed and assembled by diffusion welding, then the distribution assembly can be constructed, but the manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The additive manufacturing process creates the entire distribution assembly in a single manufacturing action, eliminating the need for sequential plate assembly and diffusion welding operations. This preliminary formation of the complete structure dramatically reduces manufacturing time and associated costs.
3Ease of manufacture
If rectangular section conduits are used in the distribution assembly, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the fluid flow efficiency decreases due to low velocity zones in corners
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from rectangular conduit sections to circular or curved sections in the additive manufactured distribution assembly. This geometric change eliminates stagnant corner zones, improves fluid flow velocity distribution, and enhances fuel delivery efficiency while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the additive process.
4Device complexity
If 90° bends are used in conduits to align with neighboring plates, then the assembly can be constructed from stacked plates, but significant pressure losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The additive manufacturing process enables the creation of smooth, curved conduit transitions instead of sharp 90° bends. These curved paths reduce flow separation and turbulence, significantly lowering pressure losses while maintaining the stacked plate assembly structure through optimized conduit routing.
5Strength
If assembly pressure is exerted in the stacking direction, then the plates are held together, but the conduit faces bulge and become convex, reducing fluid efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple plates into a single integrated additive manufactured component, eliminating the interface between plates. This eliminates the bulging problem at plate interfaces while maintaining structural strength, as the entire assembly is formed as one piece without weak bonding surfaces.
Data Source
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AI summary
A fuel distribution assembly (11) for a turbomachine, the distribution assembly (11) extending between a first interface plane (P1) and a second interface plane (P2) substantially parallel to the first interface plane (P1), the distribution assembly (11) comprising a plurality of distribution ducts (13), each duct (13) comprising: - at least one inlet portion (15) opening into the first interface plane (P1) or into the second interface plane (P2), - at least one outlet portion (19) opening into the first interface plane (P1) or into the second interface plane (P2), and - a median portion (17) fluidically connecting each inlet portion (15) of the duct (13) and each outlet portion (19) of the duct (13). The median portion (17) of each duct (13) has an internal cross section (S) of substantially elliptical shape.