Fuel Injector Vane Arrays for Combustion Zone Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-point fuel/air injectors for gas turbine engines lack optimization in emissions control and pressure fluctuation management, particularly in achieving targeted combustion zones and stabilization across varying operating conditions.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates coaxial annular passageways with arrays of vanes oriented to create specific combustion zones, including lean and rich zones, and employs a method to select vane orientations based on fuel/air ratios and operating conditions to manage emissions and pressure fluctuations, ensuring stabilization of hot and cool zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If multiple arrays of vanes are used to create different combustion zones, then emissions control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The injector is divided into multiple arrays of vanes (first array, second array, third array) positioned at different radial locations. Each array creates distinct combustion zones with different fuel/air ratios, allowing independent control of emissions characteristics for each zone while maintaining a unified injector structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different vanes in different arrays are oriented at different angles to create locally optimized combustion zones. The first array creates a first combustion zone, the second array creates a second combustion zone with different fuel/air ratio, and the third array creates a third combustion zone, allowing each local region to have optimized emissions characteristics.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If vane orientations are optimized for target emissions levels, then emissions control is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides specific orientation angle ranges for the vanes in each array (e.g., first array: 20-45 degrees, second array: 10-30 degrees, third array: 30-60 degrees). These parameter specifications allow for manufacturable tolerance ranges while still achieving the target emissions levels, balancing precision requirements with manufacturing feasibility.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple combustion zones with different fuel/air ratios are created, then combustion stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The combustion zone is segmented into multiple regions (first, second, and third combustion zones) at different radial positions, each with distinct fuel/air ratios. This segmentation allows different zones to operate at different equivalence ratios, improving overall combustion stability while maintaining a coordinated multi-zone structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the fuel/air ratio in each combustion zone by controlling the fuel injection rates to the different arrays. The controller can vary the fuel flow to each array based on operating conditions, allowing the combustion zones to adapt and maintain stability across varying engine 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 approach effectively reduces NOX, CO, and UHC emissions while maintaining engine stability and efficiency across different power levels, achieving targeted combustion zone configurations and optimized performance metrics.
Implementation Method 1
One or more arrays of vanes are each positioned to impart swirl to an associated one or more of the flowpaths
Implementation Method 2
The apparatus may be operated to provide a first combustion zone, a second combustion zone inboard of the first combustion zone and leaner than the first combustion zone, and a third combustion zone inboard of the second combustion zone and richer than the second combustion zone
Data Source
AI summary
The fuel injector has a first means defining a number of flowpaths each having an inlet for receiving air and an outlet for discharging a fuel/air mixture. One or more arrays of vanes are each positioned to impart swirl to an associated one or more of the flowpaths. Second means are provided for introducing the fuel to the air.