Flow Equalizing Override Assembly for Gas Turbine Fuel Divider
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel divider systems for gas turbine engines bias fuel flow to atomizer nozzles during start-up but can lead to uneven fuel distribution and heat-induced engine distress during low flow post-start-up conditions like flight idle, and prematurely reintroduce fuel during start-up, compromising engine performance.
Innovation Solution
A flow equalizing override assembly that includes a housing assembly, a fuel divider valve, and a remotely-actuatable valve, controlled by a controller to adjust fuel pressure and ensure equalized flow to both primary and secondary nozzles after engine ignition, preventing ecology valve movement until the override is activated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a conventional fuel divider system biases up fuel pressure to atomizer nozzles during start-up, then fuel flow to atomizer nozzles is improved, but uneven fuel distribution occurs during low flow post-start-up conditions leading to engine distress
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two operational modes: a fuel divider mode during start-up that biases fuel flow to atomizer nozzles, and a flow equalizing mode during post-start-up that provides equal pressure to both nozzle sets. This dynamic transition resolves the contradiction by adapting the fuel distribution strategy to the current engine operational phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fuel pressure parameter dynamically based on engine operational phase. During start-up, higher fuel pressure is supplied to atomizer nozzles; after start-up, the pressure is equalized between atomizer and air blast nozzles. This parameter change prevents uneven fuel distribution and engine distress while maintaining optimal start-up conditions.
2Quantity of substance
If the ecology valve operates during start-up to remove and reintroduce fuel, then fuel vaporization is improved, but ideal start flow conditions are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is configured to prevent the ecology valve from operating during the start-up phase by maintaining the remotely-actuatable valve in its first position. This preliminary action ensures ideal start flow conditions are maintained. After start-up is confirmed, the controller permits ecology valve operation, allowing fuel vaporization benefits to be realized without compromising start-up reliability.
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 solution provides equalized fuel flow to both nozzle sets during all post-start-up conditions, including low flow conditions, preventing engine distress and ensuring optimal start-up conditions by delaying ecology valve operation until engine ignition is confirmed.
Implementation Method 1
The remotely-actuatable valve is fluidly coupled to the control chamber and is configured to selectively adjust the fuel pressure therein
Implementation Method 2
the piston moves from the default position to the flow equalizing position after ignition of the GTE
Data Source
AI summary
A flow equalizing override assembly is provided for use in conjunction with a gas turbine engine (GTE) and a fuel divider system. In one embodiment, the flow equalizing override assembly includes a housing assembly, a fuel divider (FD) valve, a remotely-actuatable valve, and a controller. The FD valve includes: (i) a piston slidably disposed within the housing assembly and movable between a default position and a flow equalizing position, and (ii) a control chamber defined by the piston and the housing assembly. The remotely-actuatable valve is fluidly coupled to the control chamber and is configured to selectively adjust the fuel pressure therein. The controller is configured to command the remotely-actuatable valve to adjust the pressure within the control chamber such that the piston moves from the default position to the flow equalizing position after ignition of the GTE.