Gas Turbine Fuel Manifold Pigtail Assembly Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

The installation of fuel supply manifolds in gas turbine engines is complicated due to circumferentially distributed fuel injectors, leading to concerns of cross-threading and O-ring damage in the piloted and O-ring sealed connections of the pigtail assemblies.

Innovation Solution

A pigtail assembly design for a fuel supply manifold in a gas turbine engine featuring a first coupling assembly along a first axis, a second coupling assembly along a parallel second axis, and a third coupling assembly at a non-parallel third axis, with conduits connecting these assemblies, and the use of 'B' nuts for secure threading, allowing for alignment and secure engagement of fuel nozzles while minimizing the risk of cross-threading and O-ring damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If circumferentially distributed fuel injectors are used in the fuel supply manifold, then fuel delivery to multiple injectors is achieved, but the installation becomes complicated with cross-threading and O-ring damage concerns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel delivery to multiple injectorsVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pigtail assembly is segmented into multiple independent coupling assemblies (first coupling assembly along first axis, second coupling assembly along second axis, third coupling assembly along third axis), each handling a specific fuel injector connection. This segmentation allows each coupling to be independently aligned and installed, reducing the complexity of installing multiple circumferentially distributed fuel injectors while maintaining the ability to deliver fuel to all injectors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces multi-axis coupling assemblies where the second axis is parallel to the first axis, and the third axis is non-parallel to the second axis. This dimensional arrangement allows the pigtail assembly to accommodate circumferentially distributed fuel injectors at different angular positions, enabling fuel delivery to multiple injectors while simplifying the alignment and installation process through spatial distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If piloted and O-ring sealed connections are used for fuel injector connections, then sealing and connection are achieved, but cross-threading and O-ring damage concerns arise during installation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection sealingVSAvoidcross-threading and O-ring damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pigtail assembly is pre-configured with multiple coupling assemblies at specific angular orientations before installation. The first coupling assembly is oriented along a first axis, the second coupling assembly along a second axis parallel to the first, and the third coupling assembly along a third axis non-parallel to the second. This preliminary configuration ensures proper alignment during installation, preventing cross-threading and O-ring damage while maintaining reliable piloted and O-ring sealed connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple fuel supply manifolds are used to deliver fuel to circumferentially distributed fuel injectors, then complete fuel coverage is achieved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel coverage to all injectorsVSAvoidnumber of manifolds and connections

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pigtail assembly is designed as a multi-functional component with multiple coupling assemblies (first, second, and third coupling assemblies) that can simultaneously connect to multiple fuel injectors positioned at different angular locations. This universal design allows a single pigtail assembly to perform the function of multiple separate fuel supply connections, achieving complete fuel coverage to all circumferentially distributed injectors while reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9732960B2Fuel manifold for a gas turbine engine

Publication Date: 2017.08.15 RTX CORP

AI summary

A pigtail assembly of a fuel supply manifold assembly for a gas turbine engine, includes a first coupling assembly defined along a first axis; a second coupling assembly defined along a second axis, the second axis is parallel to the first axis; a first conduit between the first coupling assembly and the second coupling assembly; a third coupling assembly that defines a third axis, the third axis is non-parallel to the second axis; and a second conduit between the second coupling assembly and the third coupling assembly.