Fuel Control Valve Positioning for Gas Turbine Ignition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face challenges in achieving consistent ignition due to variations in fuel pressure and temperature, leading to low ignition success rates and the need for manual tuning and frequent adjustments, with pressure regulators often drifting over time.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that monitors fuel parameters to calculate the actual flow coefficient for a fuel flow control valve, allowing real-time adjustment of valve positions to control fuel flow, eliminating the need for a gas pressure regulator and allowing for flexible fuel types and temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gas pressure regulator is used to control fuel pressure, then fuel pressure can be maintained within a predetermined range, but the system becomes more complex and the regulator drifts over time leading to inconsistent ignition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the gas pressure regulator from the fuel supply system entirely. Instead of using a regulator to control pressure, the system calculates the actual flow coefficient Cv based on measured fuel temperature and pressure parameters, then uses this calculated Cv value to directly control the valve position. This extraction of the regulator eliminates the source of drift and inconsistency while reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where fuel temperature and pressure are continuously measured, used to calculate the actual flow coefficient Cv, and then this Cv value feeds back to determine the appropriate valve position. This closed-loop feedback ensures consistent ignition by continuously adapting to changing fuel conditions without requiring a pressure regulator.
2Reliability
If fuel temperature and pressure are strictly confined to predetermined ranges, then ignition consistency improves, but the system loses flexibility in handling different fuel types and temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the approach from maintaining fixed fuel temperature and pressure ranges to calculating the flow coefficient Cv based on the actual measured fuel parameters. By using the calculated Cv value to control valve position, the system adapts to different fuel types and temperature variations while maintaining consistent ignition. This parameter-based adaptation replaces rigid range confinement with flexible real-time adjustment.
3Reliability
If manual tuning is performed to adjust ignition settings for different fuel conditions, then ignition reliability can be maintained, but time is lost and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to automatically adjust to different fuel conditions by measuring fuel temperature and pressure, calculating the actual flow coefficient Cv, and using this value to determine the appropriate valve position. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual tuning of ignition settings, maintaining high ignition reliability while significantly improving operational efficiency and reducing downtime.
4Ease of operation
If pressure regulators are used to maintain constant fuel pressure, then fuel flow can be controlled, but the regulators drift over time requiring frequent adjustments and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the pressure regulator from the system entirely, replacing it with a calculation-based approach that determines valve position from measured fuel parameters and the calculated flow coefficient Cv. This extraction eliminates the drifting component, providing fuel pressure control without the maintenance burden of regulators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressure regulator with a computational system that calculates the flow coefficient Cv based on measured fuel temperature and pressure, then uses this calculated value to control the valve. This substitution of a mechanical adjustment device with a calculation-based control system eliminates drift and reduces maintenance requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling fuel flow to a combustor (18) of a gas turbine engine (10) during startup of the engine includes determining a relationship between Cv and valve position for a flow control valve (e.g., 24) in a fuel supply (20) to the combustor as a function of at least one real time parameter of fuel (30) in the fuel supply. The method also includes determining a value of the at least one parameter of the fuel before initiating a flow of the fuel to the combustor, and then calculating a first actual Cv value for the flow control valve at a target flow rate using the determined value of the parameter. The method then includes positioning the flow control valve to a first position corresponding to the actual Cv value based upon the determined relationship between Cv and valve position, and initiating the flow of fuel to the combustor through the flow control valve.