Turbomachine Fuel System Shutdown via SDSV and MPSOV
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel systems for turbomachines face challenges in rapidly shutting down fuel flow to prevent engine damage during over-speeding conditions while maintaining lightweight and non-complex designs.
Innovation Solution
A fuel system with a shutdown signal valve (SDSV) and a minimum pressure and shutoff valve (MPSOV) configuration, where the SDSV is a pressure-actuated valve that receives a shutoff signal pressure to rapidly close the MPSOV, utilizing a high-pressure flow from an over-speed actuator to quickly shut off fuel flow, and a normal pressure line to maintain the MPSOV in an open state during normal operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If conventional fuel control systems are used, then the system structure is simple, but the fuel flow shutdown time is too long to meet stringent shutdown requirements during over-speeding conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel control system is segmented into multiple functional valves: a shutdown signal valve (SDSV) that receives over-speed signals and a minimum pressure and shutoff valve (MPSOV) that actually shuts off fuel flow. This segmentation allows the shutdown function to be isolated and optimized independently, reducing shutdown time without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The SDSV acts as an intermediary between the over-speed detection system and the MPSOV. It receives the over-speed signal and translates it into the appropriate pressure signal to actuate the MPSOV, enabling rapid shutdown while maintaining a clear separation of functions and reducing overall system complexity.
2Loss of time
If a rapid shutdown system is implemented, then the shutdown time is reduced, but the system weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The MPSOV is designed to be pressure-actuated, using the existing fuel system pressure to drive the valve closure. The valve utilizes the pressure differential created during over-speed conditions to automatically shut off fuel flow without requiring additional heavy actuation systems, motors, or external power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hydraulic pressure from the fuel itself to actuate the shutdown valve. The SDSV modulates fuel pressure to control the MPSOV, eliminating the need for separate pneumatic or electric actuation systems and reducing overall system weight while achieving rapid shutdown.
3Speed
If a rapid shutdown system is implemented, then the shutdown speed is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The SDSV serves multiple functions: it receives the over-speed signal, amplifies the signal pressure, and controls the MPSOV actuation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for signal reception, signal amplification, and valve control, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining high shutdown speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter of the fuel flow to achieve rapid shutdown. The SDSV modulates the pressure signal to trigger the MPSOV, and the MPSOV responds to pressure changes to close rapidly. This parameter-based control approach is simpler than mechanical or electronic control systems while achieving high shutdown speed.
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
Enables rapid shutdown of fuel flow, reducing shutoff time and meeting stringent shutdown requirements while maintaining a lightweight and non-complex system, with improved leakage control and reduced system weight.
Implementation Method 1
The SDSV can be a pressure actuated valve and can include a signal port for receiving a shutoff signal pressure
Implementation Method 2
The shutdown pressure is supplied from a main pump. In certain embodiments, the main pump flow is fine filtered.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A fuel system (100) for a turbomachine includes a minimum pressure and shutoff valve (MPSOV) (101) disposed between a fuel source and a fuel nozzle of the fuel system (100) and configured to move between an opened position wherein fuel can flow to the fuel nozzle, and a closed position wherein fuel is prevented from flowing to the fuel nozzle, and a shutdown signal valve (SDSV) (103) operatively connected to the MPSOV (101) and configured to selectively supply a shutdown pressure to the MPSOV (101) in a shutdown state such that the shutdown pressure forces the MPSOV (101) to the closed position.