Sinusoidal Flexible Fuel Manifold for Gas Turbine Combustion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fuel manifold and fuel injector arrangement for gas turbine engines is prone to denting, cracking, and leakage due to rigid fuel supply pipes, which also suffer from vibrations, and the assembly and repair processes are time-consuming and costly, requiring numerous components.
Innovation Solution
A novel fuel manifold and fuel injector arrangement featuring flexible fuel pipes and connectors, such as cross-piece and T-shaped connectors, that extend sinusoidally around the combustion chamber casing, accommodating thermal expansion and vibration, and reducing the number of required components by eliminating the need for supporting brackets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid fuel supply pipes are used to connect fuel manifolds to fuel injectors, then structural stability is improved, but the pipes are prone to denting, cracking, and leakage due to vibrations and thermal expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel supply pipes are changed from rigid to flexible, allowing them to dynamically adapt to vibrations and thermal expansion/contraction. The flexible pipes can bend and flex without cracking, while maintaining their structural integrity and sealing capability throughout operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the fuel pipes is changed from rigid to flexible, fundamentally altering their mechanical properties. This parameter change allows the pipes to accommodate thermal expansion and vibration without developing cracks or dents that would lead to leakage.
2Ease of manufacture
If rigid fuel supply pipes are used, then ease of installation is improved, but assembly and repair become time-consuming and costly due to the need for precise alignment and multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel supply pipe and connector are merged into a single integrated flexible assembly. This eliminates the need for separate rigid pipes, multiple connectors, brackets, and fasteners, significantly reducing the number of components and simplifying both assembly and repair operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible fuel supply pipe serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides fuel transport, absorbs thermal expansion, dampens vibrations, and eliminates the need for supporting brackets. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count and simplifies the system architecture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components (fuel pipes, connectors, brackets, fasteners, seals) are used, then functional requirements are met, but device complexity increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate components (fuel pipes, connectors, brackets, fasteners, seals) are merged into a single flexible fuel supply assembly. This integration maintains all necessary functional capabilities while dramatically reducing the number of discrete parts and simplifying the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
Unnecessary components such as supporting brackets and multiple connectors are extracted from the system. The flexible fuel pipe inherently provides its own support and connection functionality, eliminating the need for these additional components and reducing system complexity.
4Manufacturing precision
If rigid fuel supply pipes are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the pipes are susceptible to cracking of welds and denting during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel supply pipes are changed from rigid to flexible, allowing them to dynamically adapt to vibrations and thermal expansion/contraction. The flexible pipes can bend and flex without cracking, while maintaining their structural integrity and sealing capability throughout operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid fuel pipes are replaced with flexible fuel supply pipes that can flex and deform without cracking. This flexible construction eliminates the stress concentration points that lead to weld cracking and denting in rigid pipe systems.
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 flexible design enhances durability, reduces assembly and repair time, and decreases the overall weight and cost of the system while preventing cracking and leakage issues in fuel supply pipes.
Implementation Method 1
capable of tolerating thermal expansion of the gas turbine engine components
Implementation Method 2
flexible fuel pipes... capable of tolerating thermal expansion
Implementation Method 3
capable of tolerating vibrations of the gas turbine engine components
Data Source
AI summary
Each fuel injector has a main nozzle and pilot nozzle. A main fuel manifold to supply fuel to the main nozzle of each fuel injector and pilot fuel manifold to supply fuel to the pilot nozzle of each fuel injector. The main fuel manifold includes plurality of flexible main fuel pipes. Also, plurality of cross-piece connectors including a stem and four arms. The stem of each connector mounted on one fuel injector. The first and third arms extend in opposite directions from the stem and second and fourth arms extend in opposite directions from the stem. Each fuel pipe interconnects the first arm of one connector with a third arm of an adjacent connector and each connector so the first and third arms are at an angle relative perpendicular to the axis of the annular combustion chamber casing so the main fuel manifold extends around the combustion chamber casing sinusoidally.