Gas Turbine Fuel Delivery System Dynamic Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engine fuel delivery systems are oversized to accommodate varying demands, leading to increased weight, power consumption, and reduced efficiency due to misalignment between fuel requirements for combustion and variable geometry components.
Innovation Solution
A fuel delivery system that includes a component actuator, primary line, valve, and control device to determine and adjust fuel pressure to meet demand pressures for variable geometry components, ensuring adequate fuel pressurization without oversized elements by dynamically regulating valve positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fuel delivery system is oversized to accommodate varying demands, then adequate fuel pressurization for variable geometry components is ensured, but system weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by replacing static, oversized fuel system components with dynamic, adjustable elements. The electrohydraulic servo valve and controllable bypass valve enable real-time adjustment of fuel flow and pressure to match actual engine demands, eliminating the need for oversized components designed for peak conditions. This allows the system to adapt its capacity dynamically rather than being constrained by maximum demand scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by actively modifying fuel flow rate and pressure parameters through electronic control. The system uses sensors to monitor actual fuel demands and adjusts valve positions, bypass flows, and pump operations to maintain optimal pressure and flow parameters. This enables the fuel system to deliver precise pressure control without requiring oversized hardware, thereby reducing weight while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If fuel delivery system is oversized to accommodate varying demands, then adequate fuel pressurization for variable geometry components is ensured, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by replacing static, oversized fuel system components with dynamic, adjustable elements. The electrohydraulic servo valve and controllable bypass valve enable real-time adjustment of fuel flow and pressure to match actual engine demands, eliminating the need for oversized components designed for peak conditions. This allows the system to adapt its capacity dynamically rather than being constrained by maximum demand scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuity of useful action through the recirculation mode capability. When fuel demand is low, the system continuously recirculates excess fuel through the bypass circuit back to the fuel pump inlet, maintaining system pressure and readiness without shutting down components. This continuous operation at variable levels is more energy-efficient than oversized components operating at partial capacity, as the electrohydraulic control system can precisely match power output to actual demand while maintaining continuous protective circulation.
3Reliability
If fuel delivery system is oversized to accommodate varying demands, then adequate fuel pressurization for variable geometry components is ensured, but fuel circulation increases leading to increased heat transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by replacing static, oversized fuel system components with dynamic, adjustable elements. The electrohydraulic servo valve and controllable bypass valve enable real-time adjustment of fuel flow and pressure to match actual engine demands, eliminating the need for oversized components designed for peak conditions. This allows the system to adapt its capacity dynamically rather than being constrained by maximum demand scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuity of useful action through the recirculation mode capability. When fuel demand is low, the system continuously recirculates excess fuel through the bypass circuit back to the fuel pump inlet, maintaining system pressure and readiness without shutting down components. This continuous operation at variable levels is more energy-efficient than oversized components operating at partial capacity, as the electrohydraulic control system can precisely match power output to actual demand while maintaining continuous protective circulation.
4Reliability
If conventional hydro-mechanical pressurization valve is used, then fuel pressure is controlled, but it cannot respond quickly to sudden fuel demand changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing the conventional hydro-mechanical pressurization valve with an electrohydraulic servo valve controlled by an electronic control unit. This substitution replaces purely mechanical pressure control with an electronically controlled system that receives demand signals, processes them through the ECU, and actuates the servo valve accordingly. The electronic control system responds significantly faster to sudden fuel demand changes than mechanical systems, as it eliminates mechanical linkages and uses electronic signal processing for immediate response.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through the electrohydraulic control system. The ECU continuously monitors fuel demand conditions, actuator positions, and system pressure, and adjusts the servo valve in real-time to maintain optimal fuel pressure. This closed-loop feedback control enables the system to respond dynamically to changing demands, automatically correcting pressure deviations faster than open-loop mechanical systems can react to the same conditions.
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
This solution reduces power demands and increases overall engine efficiency by optimizing fuel pressurization, minimizing weight, and ensuring consistent actuation forces for variable geometry components.
Implementation Method 1
adjusting a position of the valve based on the demand pressure to generate a fuel pressure at the component actuator that is greater than or equal to the demand pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A gas turbine engine and method of operation are provided. The gas turbine engine may include a variable geometry component operably driven by a component actuator. The component actuator may be in fluid communication with a primary line having a valve associated therewith. The method may include determining a demand pressure associated with actuating the variable geometry component using the component actuator. The method may also include adjusting a position of the valve based on the demand pressure to generate a fuel pressure at the component actuator that is greater than or equal to the demand pressure.