Turbomachine Fuel Return Valve Self-Cleaning Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
The latest generations of aeroplane turboreactors lack filters in their fuel circuits, making existing fuel return valves (FRVs) susceptible to clogging and contamination, which compromises their operation and requires a new solution for filtering fuel to protect them from pollution and ensure correct operation over their lifetime.
Innovation Solution
A fuel circuit with a fuel return valve that has two distinct open positions, including a cleaning position, where fuel circulates through secondary lines to clean primary filters, eliminating the need for bypass systems and simplifying the design by integrating filters directly into primary lines, ensuring continuous filtration and protection of sensitive components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If filters are removed from the fuel circuit in latest generation turboreactors, then device complexity is reduced, but the fuel return valve becomes susceptible to clogging and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the filtration function from the main fuel circuit and relocates it to a dedicated branch circuit connected to the fuel return valve. This allows the main circuit to remain simple while the branch circuit provides necessary filtration and protection for the fuel return valve, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dedicated filter and branch circuit as an intermediary between the main fuel circuit and the fuel return valve. This intermediary structure protects the fuel return valve from contamination without requiring filters in the main circuit, thus maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliability.
2Reliability
If filters are installed in the main fuel circuit, then fuel return valve is protected from contamination, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fuel circuit into a main circuit and a separate branch circuit. The branch circuit contains the filter and connects to the fuel return valve, allowing filtration to be provided locally where needed without complicating the main fuel circuit structure, thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies filtration locally at the fuel return valve through a dedicated branch circuit, rather than installing filters throughout the entire main fuel circuit. This localized approach provides necessary protection only where contamination risk exists, reducing overall device complexity and weight.
3Productivity
If small operational clearances are used in fuel return valve, then valve efficiency is improved, but sensitivity to clogging and wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated filter in the branch circuit as an intermediary that protects the fuel return valve from contamination. This allows the valve to maintain small operational clearances for efficiency while the filter prevents particles from causing clogging and wear, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and sensitivity to harmful factors.
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
Regular cleaning of filters is significantly reduced, eliminating the risk of clogging, simplifying the design, reducing weight and bulk, and allowing for specific filtration requirements tailored to the FRV, ensuring its correct operation without the need for self-cleaning filters or bypass systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first filter through which the fuel passes to rejoin the valve, this primary line being attached to the valve in such a way that the fuel circulates in this primary line when the valve is in its first open position
Implementation Method 2
at least one secondary hydraulic line which connects the valve to the main circuit and which is positioned in relation to the first filter in such a way that the circulation of fuel in this secondary line contributes to the cleaning of the first filter
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel circuit of a turbomachine, this circuit including a fuel return valve connected to the main fuel circuit and to a tank, the valve being able to take a first and a second open position, separate from one another, and a closed position, two primary hydraulic lines connecting the valve to the main circuit and including, respectively, first and second filters through which the fuel passes when the valve is in its first open position, two secondary hydraulic lines which connect the valve to the main circuit and which are positioned in relation to the first and second filters in such a way that the circulation of fuel in these secondary lines contributes, respectively, to the cleaning of the first and second filters, the fuel circulating in the secondary lines when the valve is in its second open position.