Gas Turbine Fuel Control Integrated Check Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas turbine engine fuel systems are heavy and costly, and there is a need to reduce weight while maintaining continuous fuel supply during startup, normal, backup, and combined operating modes, especially in aircraft applications where weight reduction is desirable.
Innovation Solution
A fuel control system with a main fuel inlet line, auxiliary fuel inlet line, and engine fuel outlet line, featuring a check valve that allows flow from the main fuel inlet to the engine outlet but prevents flow from the engine outlet to the main fuel inlet, and a selector valve that shifts positions based on fuel pressure to connect or block the auxiliary fuel inlet to the engine outlet, along with an auxiliary fuel bypass line and electrohydraulic servovalve for efficient fuel switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional fuel control system with separate main and auxiliary fuel pumps and check valves is used, then reliable fuel supply is ensured, but the system weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the main fuel pump and auxiliary fuel pump into a single integrated fuel pump unit. The pump housing contains both the main pump impeller and auxiliary pump impeller, allowing both fuel supply functions to be performed by one component assembly. This merging eliminates the need for separate pump housings, mounting structures, and associated hardware, thereby reducing overall system weight while maintaining both main and auxiliary fuel supply capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated fuel pump is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: the main pump impeller provides primary fuel supply during normal operation, while the auxiliary pump impeller provides backup fuel supply during engine start-up or main pump failure. Both pumps share common mounting structures, drive mechanisms, and housing, allowing a single component to fulfill both main and auxiliary fuel supply roles that would traditionally require separate dedicated components.
2Reliability
If a conventional fuel control system with multiple separate valves and lines is used, then fuel flow control is reliable, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the main fuel check valve and auxiliary fuel check valve into a single integrated check valve assembly. The check valve housing contains both check valves, allowing fuel flow control for both main and auxiliary supplies to be managed by one component. This integration reduces the number of separate valve bodies, mounting brackets, and associated hardware, simplifying the overall system structure while maintaining reliable fuel flow control in both modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated check valve assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: the main check valve prevents back-flow during normal operation, while the auxiliary check valve enables backup fuel supply during engine start-up or main pump failure. Both check valves share common housing and mounting structures, allowing a single component assembly to provide the fuel flow control functions that would traditionally require separate dedicated valves.
3Reliability
If separate main and auxiliary fuel pumps are used, then backup fuel supply is ensured, but the system weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the main fuel pump and auxiliary fuel pump into a single integrated pump assembly where both pump impellers are housed within one pump housing. This integration eliminates the need for separate pump housings, mounting structures, and associated hardware, thereby reducing overall system weight while maintaining both main and auxiliary fuel supply capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated fuel pump is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: the main pump impeller provides primary fuel supply during normal operation, while the auxiliary pump impeller provides backup fuel supply during engine start-up or main pump failure. Both pumps share common mounting structures, drive mechanisms, and housing, allowing a single component to fulfill both main and auxiliary fuel supply roles that would traditionally require separate dedicated components.
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 continuous fuel supply with reduced weight and cost, minimizing delays in switching between fuel sources and maintaining performance comparable to conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
A check valve in the first flow path allows fuel flow through the first flow path in a direction from the main fuel inlet line to the engine fuel outlet line and substantially prevents fuel flow through the first flow path in a direction from the engine fuel outlet line to the main fuel inlet line
Implementation Method 2
The selector valve is shiftable from a first position allowing fuel flow from the auxiliary fuel inlet line to the engine fuel outlet line to a second position blocking the second flow path when a fuel pressure in the main fuel inlet line increases above a pressure on a side of the valve body opposite the main fuel inlet line
Implementation Method 3
An auxiliary fuel bypass line extends from a first point in the auxiliary fuel inlet line upstream of the selector valve to a second point in the auxiliary fuel inlet line downstream of the selector valve to bypass the selector valve
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel control system (10) for a gas turbine engine includes a main fuel inlet line (18), an auxiliary fuel inlet line (20) and an engine fuel outlet line (16). A first flow path extends from the main fuel inlet line (18) to the engine fuel outlet line (16) and a second flow path extends from the auxiliary fuel inlet line (20) to the engine fuel outlet line (16). A check valve (22) in the first flow path allows fuel flow through the first flow path in a direction from the main fuel inlet line (18) to the engine fuel outlet line (16) and substantially prevents fuel flow through the first flow path in a direction from the engine fuel outlet line (16) to the main fuel inlet line (18). The check valve (22) is shiftable between a first position connecting the auxiliary fuel inlet (20) to the engine fuel outlet (16) and a second position blocking the second flow path. Also a method of controlling fuel flow in a fuel control system of a gas turbine engine.