Gas Turbine Fire Mitigation via Mechanical Pump Starvation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire detection and mitigation systems in gas turbine engines rely on electrical sensors and systems, which can exacerbate fire risks if they fail, and there is a need for a self-actuating, mechanical solution to prevent fuel and oil pumps from operating during a fire condition.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical fire mitigation system with a sacrificial element that fails at a lower temperature than the surrounding conduit, allowing air to enter the fluid system upstream of the pumps, thereby starving the pumps and preventing fuel or oil flow during a fire.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical sensors and systems are used for fire detection and mitigation, then fire detection capability is improved, but system complexity and fire risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates electrical sensors and electronic systems from the fire mitigation system. Instead, it uses a purely mechanical solution where a sacrificial element (such as a melt plug or frangible seal) physically blocks an air inlet passage during normal operation and fails open when exposed to fire temperatures, allowing air to enter the fuel system and stop the fuel pump mechanically without any electrical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The sacrificial element automatically responds to fire conditions through its own thermal properties. When exposed to temperatures above its failure point, the element self-destructs (melts or breaks) to open the air inlet passage, triggering the fire mitigation function without requiring external sensors, power sources, or control systems.
2Reliability
If electrical systems are used for fire mitigation, then fire control capability is improved, but risk of fire spread increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of fire (high temperature) into a beneficial trigger mechanism. The sacrificial element is designed to fail at a specific temperature threshold, using the fire's own heat to automatically open the air inlet passage and activate the fire mitigation function, thereby converting the harmful thermal energy into a useful control signal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electrical control systems with a purely mechanical failure mechanism. The sacrificial element's thermal-mechanical failure (melting or breaking) directly opens the air inlet passage and mechanically stops the fuel pump through air introduction, eliminating all electrical components that could potentially fail or exacerbate the fire condition.
3Productivity
If pumps continue operating during fire condition, then fuel delivery is maintained, but fire severity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sacrificial element is pre-positioned to block the air inlet passage upstream of the fuel pump during normal operation. When fire occurs, the element fails open to allow air to enter the fuel system, which mechanically starves the pump and stops fuel delivery. This preliminary positioning and automatic activation ensure that fire mitigation action occurs immediately upon thermal failure without delay.
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 effectively deactivates the fluid system without electrical components, reducing the risk of fire spread by ensuring pumps cease operation due to air introduction, even in the absence of electronic systems, thereby enhancing fire safety in gas turbine engines.
Implementation Method 1
the sacrificial element having a heat-induced failure point lower than that of a remainder of the fluid conveying conduit, the sacrificial element configured to fail when exposed to a threshold temperature greater than the heat-induced failure point
Data Source
AI summary
A method of deactivating a liquid distribution system of a gas turbine engine in the event of a fire condition includes introducing a quantity of air into the liquid distribution system at a location upstream of a liquid pump of the liquid distribution system. The quantity of air is greater than a liquid discharge capacity of the liquid pump, thereby starving the liquid pump.