Gas Turbine Fuel Injector Plunger Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel injectors in gas turbine engines face challenges in controlling fuel flow to maintain uniform temperature distribution in the turbine section, leading to potential hot spots and reduced engine reliability.
Innovation Solution
A fuel injector design featuring a movable plunger within a conduit, adjustable by an electrical actuator, which alters the flow area between the plunger and the feed arm to bias fuel flow, allowing for independent control of fuel flow rates through multiple injectors, thereby addressing temperature non-uniformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fuel injectors with fixed flow rates are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but temperature non-uniformity develops in the turbine section leading to hot spots and reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the fuel injector flow rate adjustable through a movable plunger that can be positioned at different locations within the conduit. This allows the fuel flow rate to be dynamically changed to compensate for temperature non-uniformity in the turbine section, thereby improving engine reliability without requiring a completely new injector design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the flow rate parameter of the fuel injector by moving the plunger to different positions within the conduit. This parameter change allows adjustment of fuel flow to address temperature distribution issues in the turbine, improving reliability while maintaining a relatively simple injector structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If flow-matched fuel injectors are used, then uniform temperature distribution is promoted and hot spots are reduced, but the system lacks adaptability to correct existing temperature non-uniformity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the fuel injector system dynamic by introducing a movable plunger that can adjust the flow rate after installation. This allows the system to adapt to temperature non-uniformity conditions that develop during engine operation, providing the needed versatility while adding only moderate complexity through the plunger mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using temperature measurements from the turbine section to determine the required fuel flow adjustment. The controller receives temperature data and adjusts the plunger position accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to actual operating conditions and corrects temperature non-uniformity
3Reliability
If a movable plunger with electrical actuator is added to adjust fuel flow, then temperature non-uniformity is reduced and engine reliability is enhanced, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fuel injector into distinct components: the body, the movable plunger, and the electrical actuator. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using standard processes, then assembled together, making the enhanced reliability feature more manufacturable while controlling 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 solution effectively reduces temperature non-uniformity within the turbine section by allowing for real-time adjustment of fuel flow, enhancing engine reliability and performance by maintaining optimal temperature distribution.
Implementation Method 1
A flow area defined between the plunger and the feed arm is smaller in the plunger first position than in the plunger second position to bias fuel flow through the fuel injector
Implementation Method 2
The electrical actuator can be operably connected to the plunger. The electrical actuator can be arranged to rotate the plunger relative to the feed arm
Implementation Method 3
The feed arm can have female thread engagable with the plunger. The plunger can have male threads engagable with the female threads of the feed arm
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel injector for a gas turbine engine includes a feed arm defining a conduit extending between an inlet end and an outlet end and a plunger. The plunger is disposed within the conduit and is movable between a plunger first position and a plunger second position. A flow area defined between the plunger and the feed arm is smaller in the plunger first position than in the plunger second position to bias fuel flow through the fuel injector. Fuel systems, gas turbine engines, and methods of controlling fuel flow in gas turbine engine fuel systems are also described.