Fuel Igniter Heat-Dissipating Element for Gas Turbine Overheating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engine fuel igniter components are susceptible to overheating and fatigue due to increasing operating voltages and temperatures, leading to reduced lifetime and performance.
Innovation Solution
A fuel igniter assembly with a heat-dissipating element featuring a cylindrical body and radially extending fins, coupled to the igniter housing and positioned to maximize heat dissipation, utilizing air flow from an air-cooled ignition lead and compressor airflow to direct cooling air across the fins, thereby enhancing heat dissipation and maintaining components within suitable operating temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If operating voltage and temperature are increased to improve igniter performance, then igniter effectiveness is improved, but component reliability deteriorates due to overheating and fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
A heat-dissipating element is introduced as an intermediary component between the igniter housing and the external environment. This element conducts heat away from critical igniter components through its thermally conductive material, acting as a thermal mediator that protects sensitive components from excessive heat while allowing the igniter to operate at high voltages and temperatures for effective ignition
Solution Approach 2:
Heat is extracted from the igniter assembly through the heat-dissipating element that extends outward from the igniter housing. The element conducts thermal energy away from the enclosed igniter components and dissipates it to the surrounding air, effectively removing excess heat from the system to prevent overheating and fatigue
2Temperature
If heat dissipation is enhanced by adding cooling structures, then component temperature is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat-dissipating element is integrated with the igniter housing as a unified assembly, where the element is coupled to the external surface of the housing. This merging of the cooling function into the existing structure provides heat dissipation capabilities without requiring a completely separate cooling system, thereby reducing overall device complexity while still achieving effective temperature control
Solution Approach 2:
The heat-dissipating element extends outward from the igniter housing in a radial direction, utilizing the external surface area of the housing as a base for heat dissipation. By transitioning from internal heat management to external surface-based dissipation, the solution adds cooling capability in a new spatial dimension without significantly increasing internal component complexity
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 enhanced heat dissipation capabilities of the fuel igniter assembly reduce operating temperatures and extend the lifespan of components by increasing the effective surface area for heat dissipation and strategically directing airflow to critical areas, preventing overheating.
Implementation Method 1
Heat generated by the combustion of such air-fuel mixtures is conducted through the fuel-igniter, which is typically housed within a metal casing
Implementation Method 2
utilizing air flow from an air-cooled ignition lead and compressor airflow to direct cooling air across the fins, thereby enhancing heat dissipation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A combustor for a gas turbine engine includes a combustion chamber and a fuel igniter assembly. The combustion chamber is defined by an annular inner combustor liner and an annular outer combustor liner. The fuel igniter assembly is coupled to the combustor and extends radially outward from the outer combustor liner. The fuel igniter assembly includes an igniter housing configured to house a fuel igniter therein, and a heat-dissipating element coupled to the igniter housing. The heat-dissipating element includes a plurality of fins configured to dissipate heat from the fuel igniter assembly.