Fuel Manifold Adapter Thermal Growth Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel transfer systems in gas turbine engines face challenges due to thermal growth of mounting points, leading to relative movement and stress on components, which can affect the efficiency and durability of fuel delivery.
Innovation Solution
A fuel manifold adapter with a body that is fixedly mounted to a fuel source and movably mounted to an inlet nozzle, using a transfer tube assembly to thermally and dynamically decouple the components, mitigating stress and maintaining alignment despite thermal growth, with a conduit connecting the components to ensure stable fuel flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If components are rigidly fixed together, then structural stability is improved, but thermal growth-induced stress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel transfer system is divided into separate components (fuel source, adapter, inlet nozzle) that can move independently. The adapter acts as a separate segment between the fuel source and inlet nozzle, allowing each component to accommodate thermal growth independently while maintaining overall system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is designed with dynamic mounting capabilities, allowing it to move relative to both the fuel source and inlet nozzle. This dynamic configuration enables the system to adapt to thermal expansion and contraction of mounting points during engine operation, reducing stress on rigid connections.
2Stress or pressure
If components are decoupled to accommodate thermal growth, then stress is reduced, but alignment stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter serves as an intermediary component between the fuel source and inlet nozzle. It provides a stable reference frame and connection interface that maintains proper alignment and fluid communication while allowing the connected components to move independently to accommodate thermal growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a rigid fixed-state to a dynamic movable-state during thermal cycles. The adapter enables the fuel transfer system to adapt its configuration phase, moving from a stress-free aligned state to an accommodated thermal expansion state and back, maintaining functionality throughout the transition.
3Stress or pressure
If a flexible connection is used, then thermal movement is accommodated, but fuel flow stability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter acts as a stable intermediary that maintains reliable fuel flow communication while allowing thermal movement. It provides a consistent fluid passage and connection interface that ensures stable fuel delivery despite the dynamic movement of connected components.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel transfer system is segmented into distinct components connected through the adapter, allowing each segment to move independently for thermal accommodation while maintaining stable fluid communication through the adapter's internal passages and connection interfaces.
Data Source
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AI summary
A fuel manifold adapter (100) for a fuel system of an aircraft engine (10), the fuel manifold adapter (100) comprising: a body (110) having a body-output interface (112) defining a downstream end (116a) of a body passage (116) including a body bore about a bore axis, the body-output interface (112) movably and fluidly connectable to a first component (30) of the fuel system mounted to a first mounting point (40) of the engine (10), and a body-input interface (114) defining an upstream end (116b) of the body passage (116), the body-input interface (114) rigidly and fluidly connectable to a second component (50) of the fuel system mounted to a second mounting point (60) of the engine (10), and a transfer tube (122) having an upstream-tube end (122a) slidably engaged with the body (110) along the bore axis via the body bore, the transfer tube (122) having a downstream-tube end (122b) opposite the upstream-tube end (122a) slidably engageable along the bore axis with the first component (30), the downstream-tube end (122b) defining a downstream end of the fuel manifold adapter (100) relative to fuel flow through the fuel manifold adapter (100).