Fuel Pump Check Valve Actuation for Gas Turbine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel metering systems for gas turbine engines are complex and prone to malfunction, leading to fuel leaks and increased costs due to the reliance on solenoid-operated valves and sensors, which are sensitive to component failures and pressure variations.
Innovation Solution
A fuel system utilizing a positive displacement pump with check valves that automatically open and close in response to differential pressures generated by the pump's rotational directions, eliminating the need for actuators and ensuring reliable shut-off and ecology functions without leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If solenoid-operated valves and sensors are used to control fuel flow, then fuel delivery can be precisely controlled, but system complexity and susceptibility to component failure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the solenoid actuator and sensor components from the fuel metering system. By using a mechanically-operated valve directly driven by the fuel pump's reciprocating motion, the system removes electronic control components that add complexity and failure points, while maintaining precise fuel flow control through the mechanical valve timing and positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve mechanism serves itself by utilizing the natural reciprocating motion of the fuel pump to automatically open and close the valve. The system uses the pump's own mechanical motion to control fuel flow without requiring external sensors or electronic actuators, thereby simplifying the system while maintaining precise control.
2Reliability
If solenoid-operated valves are used for shut-off function, then fuel flow can be stopped, but risk of fuel leakage and component failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the electrically-operated solenoid valve with a mechanically-operated valve. The valve is directly actuated by the reciprocating motion of the fuel pump through a mechanical linkage, eliminating electromagnetic components that can fail or leak. The mechanical operation provides more reliable shut-off with reduced risk of fuel leakage.
3Ease of operation
If ecology valve with solenoid actuator is used to drain fuel, then fuel can be returned to tank, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single mechanically-operated valve performs multiple functions: it controls fuel delivery to the engine during operation and automatically directs fuel drainage to the tank during shutdown. By integrating both the delivery and drainage control functions into one mechanically-operated valve, the system eliminates the need for separate ecology valves and their actuators, reducing complexity while maintaining full functionality.
4Reliability
If multiple valves with actuators are used for fuel management, then fuel flow control is achieved, but maintenance cost and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of multiple valves into a single mechanically-operated valve. The same valve that controls fuel delivery during operation also handles fuel drainage during shutdown, eliminating the need for separate ecology valves. This consolidation reduces the number of components that require maintenance, lowering both maintenance costs and system complexity while maintaining reliable fuel flow control.
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 solution provides a simplified, reliable fuel management system that ensures precise fuel delivery and evacuation, reducing the risk of leaks and environmental impact by using pressure-driven check valves that operate independently of external actuation, thereby enhancing system reliability and reducing complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a pump with a motor rotating the pump in first and second directions opposite from one another, the first direction for delivering fuel to a turbine engine and the second direction for evacuating fuel from the turbine engine fuel manifold; and a shut-off check valve open in the first direction in response to a first differential pressure created by the pump
Implementation Method 2
an ecology check valve biased to a closed position in the first direction and open in the second direction in response to a second differential pressure created by the pump
Data Source
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AI summary
A fuel system (10) for a turbine engine (16) is provided. The fuel system (10) includes a positive displacement pump (24) driven by an electric motor (26) . The pump (24) is rotated in a first direction to deliver fuel to the turbine engine (16), and a second direction for evacuating fuel from the turbine engine(16). A shut-off check valve (38) is open in a first direction in response to a first differential pressure created by the pump (24) in the first direction. The shut-off check valve (38) is biased to a closed position when the pump (24) is rotating in the second direction. An ecology check valve (46) is biased to a closed position in the first direction and open in the second direction in response to a second differential pressure created by the pump (24). The check valves (38, 46) open and close automatically in response to the pressures generated by the positive displacement pump in each of the first and second rotational directions. In this manner, simple, reliable valves are utilized to regulate the flow of fuel in the fuel system.