Fuel Leak Combustion Assembly for Controlled Hydrogen Ignition
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of hydrogen fuel in aircraft engines is challenging due to its gaseous form being relatively small and prone to leakage through materials, making it difficult to manage and control minor leaks without causing damage to the vehicle or engine components.
Innovation Solution
A fuel leak combustion assembly is positioned with a heat source to ignite gaseous hydrogen fuel leaks at potential leak locations, accompanied by a flame arrestor to contain the ignition and a pressure relief system to manage pressure rises, ensuring controlled combustion events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If hydrogen fuel is used in aircraft engines, then emissions are improved, but the fuel becomes prone to leakage due to its gaseous form and small molecular size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of hydrogen fuel leakage by introducing a controlled ignition system that transforms the leaked fuel into a controlled combustion event. The combustion assembly includes ignition sources and containment structures that convert the potentially dangerous leak into a beneficial controlled burn, eliminating the harmful aspects while maintaining the emission benefits of hydrogen fuel.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by having combustion assemblies positioned at potential leak locations before actual leaks occur. When fuel leakage is detected or anticipated, the ignition system is already in place and can immediately activate to prevent uncontrolled accumulation of leaked fuel, thereby preemptively neutralizing the hazard.
2Reliability
If hydrogen fuel leaks are allowed to accumulate, then the fuel can be contained, but pressure and temperature rises may cause damage to vehicle or engine components
Solution Approach 1:
The combustion assemblies are pre-positioned at potential leak locations with ignition sources ready to activate. Detection systems monitor for fuel accumulation, and when leakage is detected, the ignition system activates immediately to burn off the accumulated fuel before pressure and temperature can rise to damaging levels. This preliminary action prevents the harmful effects before they manifest.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of the leaked fuel by initiating controlled combustion, which transforms the fuel from a accumulated gaseous state into a controlled burn. This parameter change occurs at controlled rates with temperature and pressure management systems that prevent excessive buildup, converting a potentially damaging accumulation into a controlled energy release.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If combustion is used to ignite leaked fuel, then the leak is converted into a manageable event, but the ignition may spread fire to other components
Solution Approach 1:
The combustion system is segmented into multiple distributed combustion assemblies, each positioned at specific potential leak locations. Each assembly has its own ignition source and containment structure. This segmentation ensures that combustion is localized to the immediate leak area and cannot easily spread to other components, as each segment is independently contained and controlled.
Solution Approach 2:
The combustion assembly acts as an intermediary between the leaked fuel and the engine components. The containment structures and controlled ignition systems serve as mediators that manage the combustion process, allowing the fuel to be burned in a controlled manner while preventing direct contact between the flame and vulnerable engine components. The intermediary structures absorb and redirect the energy to prevent fire spread.
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 assembly minimizes damage by converting minor leaks into manageable combustion events, reducing pressure and temperature rises, and preventing spread of fire, thus protecting engine and vehicle components.
Implementation Method 1
a heat source positioned in communication with a potential leak location to ignite a gaseous fuel leaking from the potential leak location
Data Source
AI summary
An aeronautical vehicle comprising: a vehicle body; a propulsion system operable with the vehicle body, the propulsion system comprising a gas turbine engine, the gas turbine engine comprising a combustion section; a fuel delivery assembly comprising a gaseous fuel delivery section extending to the combustion section, the gaseous fuel delivery section defining a potential leak location; and a fuel leak combustion assembly comprising a heat source positioned in communication with potential leak location to ignite a gaseous fuel leaking from the potential leak location of the gaseous fuel delivery section of the fuel delivery assembly.