Fuel System Thrust Control Malfunction Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel systems for gas turbines lack improved complexity and reliability, particularly in providing effective overspeed and thrust control malfunction protection, and are not economically viable.
Innovation Solution
A fuel system with integrated thrust control malfunction and overspeed protection, featuring a high-pressure centrifugal pump, a metering and pressure regulating valve, and solenoids that control a shut-off valve to rapidly reduce or shut off fuel flow, utilizing a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) for monitoring and actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fuel systems are used for gas turbines, then the systems are simple in structure, but they lack improved complexity and reliability in providing effective overspeed and thrust control malfunction protection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple safety functions (overspeed protection and thrust control malfunction protection) into a single integrated fuel system architecture. The common fuel supply line, shared solenoid valve, and unified control logic merge previously separate safety systems, achieving improved reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel system is designed with multi-functional components that serve multiple safety purposes. The solenoid valve can rapidly shut off fuel flow for overspeed protection while also providing intermediate flow reduction for thrust control malfunction protection. The single-point shut-off mechanism universally addresses both safety requirements through one component.
2Speed
If rapid fuel flow shutoff is implemented for overspeed protection, then the response speed is improved, but the system requires complex control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex control logic into a dedicated overspeed solenoid valve that directly responds to overspeed conditions. By isolating the rapid shutoff function into a separate controllable component rather than embedding it throughout the fuel system, the response speed is improved while the overall control mechanism complexity is managed through functional separation.
3Measurement precision
If intermediate fuel flow reduction is implemented for thrust control malfunction protection, then the safety precision is improved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by providing an intermediate fuel flow reduction position rather than complete shutoff for thrust control malfunction protection. The solenoid valve can operate at different positions (fully open, partially closed, fully closed) to provide precisely controlled fuel flow reduction. This partial action approach achieves the required safety precision while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate control systems.
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 system achieves reliable and rapid fuel flow control, reducing complexity, weight, and cost while ensuring safe engine operation by enabling precise control of fuel flow during overspeed and thrust control malfunction events.
Implementation Method 1
a high pressure centrifugal pump configured to receive filtered fuel and supply fuel to a metering and pressure regulating valve
Implementation Method 2
a first solenoid and a second solenoid for controlling the shut off valve position. The first solenoid reduces fuel flow to the engine burner by translating the shut off valve to an intermediate position
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A fuel system with integrated thrust control malfunction and overspeed protection includes a centrifugal pump (102) for receiving filtered fuel and supplying fuel to a metering and pressure regulating valve, the metering and pressure regulating valve (106) for metering discharge of filtered fuel flow to a gas turbine engine burner, a shut off valve (110) downstream of the metering and pressure regulating valve movable from an open position to either a fully closed position configured for providing rapid shutoff or a partially closed position configured for reduction of fuel flow to the gas turbine engine burner, and a first solenoid (112) and a second solenoid (114) for controlling the shut off valve position.