Fuel Injector Arrangement Pressure-Balanced Switching Sequence

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fuel injector arrangements face challenges in preventing gas leaks and ensuring safe operational sequences, particularly during emergency stops, where gas pressure switching off can lead to high spring loads due to unbalanced pressure, and complex control is required for reliable media separation.

Innovation Solution

A fuel injector arrangement with multiple fluid supply paths for control, fuel gas, and barrier fluids, featuring switching devices controlled by barrier fluid and fuel gas pressures, ensures sequential and rapid switching to maintain pressure balance and prevent leaks, utilizing switching thresholds to prevent unintentional blockages and ensure reliable operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If gas pressure is switched off first during emergency stop, then gas leak prevention is improved, but pressure balance is disrupted causing high spring load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas leak preventionVSAvoidspring load
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The switching device is configured to switch off the control fluid path before the gas path during emergency stop. This preliminary action maintains pressure balance by ensuring control fluid pressure is reduced first, allowing the spring to return to neutral position without excessive load, while still preventing gas leaks through the sequencing of pressure reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If complex control is used for media separation, then gas leak prevention is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas leak preventionVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The switching device automatically sequences the shutdown of control fluid and gas paths based on pressure thresholds without requiring external control logic. The device self-regulates the media separation process by using its own pressure states to trigger the switching sequence, eliminating the need for complex external control systems while maintaining reliable gas leak prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Speed

If rapid switching is implemented, then operational safety is improved, but switching reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching speedVSAvoidswitching reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The switching device incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor pressure states in both the control fluid path and gas path. This feedback ensures that switching occurs at appropriate pressure thresholds, maintaining reliability by confirming proper pressure conditions before and during the switching event, while still achieving rapid response through automated pressure-triggered actuation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 allows for simple and rapid switching of fluids in the intended sequence, ensuring safe and efficient operation by maintaining pressure balance and preventing unintended blockages, thus enhancing operational and functional safety.

Implementation Method 1

the use of barrier fluid (sealing oil) can be provided for media separation or sealing on the respective fuel gas nozzle valve member guides

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure barrier: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a first switching device (43) in the second fluid supply path (31), which is set up to switch the second fluid supply path (31) into the open or blocked position via fluid pressure control by means of the fluid pressure in the third fluid supply path (39)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid pressure control: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3555454B1Fuel injector arrangement
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 WOODWARD LORANGE GMBH
  • EP3555454B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a fuel injector arrangement (1) comprising a number of fluid supply paths (29, 31, 39), namely a first (29), a second (31) and a third fluid supply path (39). The fuel injector arrangement (1) has a first switching device (43) in the second fluid supply path (31). Said first switching device, controlled by the fluid pressure in the third fluid supply path (39), opens or blocks the second fluid supply path (31). The fuel injector arrangement (1) has a second switching device (49) in the first fluid supply path (29). Said second switching device, controlled by the fluid pressure downstream of the first switching device (43) in the second fluid supply path (31), opens or blocks the first fluid supply path (29).