Fuel Return Turbine for Gas Turbine Cooling Air Boost
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In gas turbine engines, excess fuel pressure is not effectively recaptured after being returned to the fuel tank, and the cooling air system lacks efficient means to utilize energy from returned fuel, leading to energy wastage and inefficiencies in fuel management and cooling processes.
Innovation Solution
A system where a return turbine drives fluid moving devices in the cooling air system, utilizing excess fuel pressure to recapture energy by tapping compressed cooling air, passing it through a heat exchanger, and using it to drive a boost compressor or fan to cool critical engine sections, while a metering valve selectively diverts fuel back to the tank, incorporating a pressure relief valve to manage fuel return.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If fuel is returned to the tank after pressurization, then fuel demand is satisfied, but excess pressure energy is wasted without recapture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste of pressurized fuel returning to the tank into a beneficial energy source by routing the pressurized fuel through a turbine that generates power to drive the fuel pump and cooling air system, thus transforming energy loss into useful work
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the fuel return function with the power generation function by integrating a turbine into the fuel return line, allowing the system to simultaneously manage fuel pressure and generate mechanical energy to drive other system components
2Temperature
If cooling air is tapped from the compressor and cooled through a heat exchanger, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but additional energy is required to drive the cooling air system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the pressurized fuel serve multiple functions: it provides fuel for combustion, generates power through the turbine to drive the fuel pump, and drives the cooling air system components (boost compressor or fan), thereby eliminating the need for separate power sources for these functions
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own pressurized fuel to generate the power needed to drive its own components (fuel pump and cooling air system), making the system self-sufficient and eliminating external energy requirements
3Stress or pressure
If a pressure relief valve is used to bypass fuel back to the pump, then fuel pressure is regulated, but recapture of pressure energy is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste of pressurized fuel returning to the tank into a beneficial energy source by routing the pressurized fuel through a turbine that generates power to drive the fuel pump and cooling air system, thus transforming energy loss into useful work
Solution Approach 2:
The turbine acts as an intermediary device between the pressurized fuel and the fuel pump/cooling system, capturing energy from the pressurized fuel and converting it into mechanical work to drive the system components
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
This solution enhances energy recapture and efficient fuel management by utilizing excess fuel pressure to drive cooling air systems, improving engine efficiency and reducing energy wastage by effectively integrating fuel return with cooling air processes.
Implementation Method 1
At least one return turbine drives at least one fluid moving device in the air cooling system
Implementation Method 2
tapping compressed cooling air from the compressor section, cooling the air in a heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
drive the air with a boost compressor back into a location to be cooled
Data Source
AI summary
A gas turbine engine includes a main compressor section and a main turbine section. A cooling air supply system cools a location in at least one of the main compressor section and the main turbine section. The cooling air supply system includes a tap for tapping cooling air compressed by the main compressor section, connected for passing the cooling air through a heat exchanger and to a boost compressor, and then to the cooling location in the at least one of the main compressor section and the main turbine section. A fuel supply system has a fuel tank for delivering fuel to a fuel pump. At least one valve for selectively returning fuel downstream of the main pump back to an upstream location. At least one return turbine drives at least one fluid moving device in the air cooling system.