Fuel Nozzle Testing Rig with Flow Impeding Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for testing fuel nozzle assemblies struggle to isolate and identify the flow characteristics of individual nozzles within a multi-nozzle assembly, as all nozzles are typically operated simultaneously, making it difficult to analyze each nozzle independently.
Innovation Solution
A testing rig that supports a fuel nozzle assembly with a receiving member and fluid conduit, featuring a flow impeding assembly that can be configured to block all but a selected number of nozzles, allowing each nozzle to be aligned with a flow measurement apparatus for independent analysis of spray characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If all fuel nozzles are operated simultaneously in a conventional testing setup, then the testing process is simple and quick, but the flow characteristics of individual nozzles cannot be isolated and identified
Solution Approach 1:
The testing rig segments the fuel nozzle assembly by using a flow impeding assembly that can block specific nozzles while allowing others to operate. This enables individual nozzle testing within the multi-nozzle assembly, isolating flow characteristics for measurement while maintaining the overall assembly structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow impeding assembly is designed to be reconfigurable, allowing dynamic adjustment of which nozzles are blocked and which are unblocked. This dynamic capability enables the system to transition between testing individual nozzles and testing the complete assembly, providing measurement precision when needed while maintaining operational simplicity when all nozzles are unblocked.
2Measurement precision
If a flow impeding assembly is used to block all but selected nozzles, then individual nozzle flow characteristics can be isolated and measured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow impeding assembly is designed as a universal component that can be applied to various nozzle configurations. A single assembly structure can block different combinations of nozzles depending on its configuration, making it a multi-functional tool for testing different scenarios without requiring multiple specialized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow impeding assembly is pre-configured with blocking elements that can be positioned before testing begins. This preliminary setup allows the system to be ready for immediate individual nozzle testing without requiring complex real-time adjustments during the measurement process, simplifying the overall operation despite the added structural complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the rig is moved to align selected nozzles with flow measurement apparatus, then accurate measurement of selected nozzles is achieved, but the testing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rig is pre-positioned with the capability to align any selected nozzle with the flow measurement apparatus before testing begins. This preliminary alignment setup eliminates the need for time-consuming real-time adjustments during measurement, allowing quick and accurate testing of individual nozzles while minimizing overall testing time.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for testing a fuel nozzle assembly including blocking all but a selected number of the fuel nozzles with a flow impeding assembly and moving part of a rig to align the selected number of the fuel nozzles with at least one flow measurement apparatus.