Fuel Divider Valve Pressure-Threshold Control for Gas Turbine Combustion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel supply devices for gas turbine engines with combined combustion methods face challenges in quickly and accurately adjusting the fuel dividing ratio between pilot and main fuel passages according to engine operating patterns, leading to inefficiencies in NOx reduction and combustion stability.
Innovation Solution
A fuel supply device with a fuel divider that includes a movable member responsive to fuel pressure, allowing the pilot and main ports to open based on pressure thresholds, and an adjusting mechanism using a spring element to control the counter force, enabling flexible adjustment of the fuel dividing ratio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If flow control valves are provided in pilot fuel passage and main fuel passage to control fuel dividing ratio, then fuel supply control is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fuel control functions for both pilot and main burners into a single flow control valve. The valve body integrates multiple passages (pilot fuel passage, main fuel passage, collecting fuel passage) and uses a single valve element to control fuel flow to both burners, eliminating the need for separate flow control valves and reducing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The single flow control valve performs multiple functions: it controls fuel supply to the pilot burner, controls fuel supply to the main burner, and can adjust the fuel dividing ratio between the two burners. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate valves
2Reliability
If flow control valves and controller are added for combined combustion method, then combustion stability and NOx reduction are improved, but weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions into a single integrated flow control valve structure that manages fuel distribution to both pilot and main burners. This consolidation reduces the total weight of the fuel control system compared to using separate valves and controllers for each burner
3Manufacturing precision
If separate flow control valves are used for pilot and main fuel passages, then fuel flow control is precise, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple fuel control functions into a single valve assembly with a unified valve body containing separate passages for pilot and main fuel. This single-component design reduces manufacturing costs compared to producing and assembling multiple separate valves, while maintaining precise flow control through the integrated passage design
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
Enables easy adjustment of the fuel dividing ratio according to engine operating patterns, improving combustion stability and NOx reduction while simplifying the system structure and reducing costs by eliminating the need for separate flow control valves.
Implementation Method 1
a movable member which is movable according to a fuel pressure at the fuel entrance
Implementation Method 2
an adjusting means for adjusting a value of the first pressure... and includes a spring element for applying a counter force to the movable member
Data Source
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AI summary
A fuel divider included in a fuel supply device of a gas turbine engine includes a movable member which is movable according to a fuel pressure at a fuel entrance, opens only a pilot port when the fuel pressure at the fuel entrance is lower than a first pressure, and opens both of the pilot port and the main port when the fuel pressure at the fuel entrance is higher than the first pressure. In addition, the fuel divider includes an adjusting means which adjusts a value of the first pressure in such a manner that it applies to the movable member a counter force in a direction opposite to a direction in which the movable member moves according to the fuel pressure at the fuel entrance, and adjusts the counter force.