Gaseous Fuel Injector Flame Arrestor for Internal Heat Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel injectors for gaseous fuel injection in internal combustion engines face challenges due to high temperature combustion gases and flames that can reduce their life and robustness by propagating into internal components.
Innovation Solution
A fuel injector with a flame arrestor and optional choke orifice is designed to prevent or reduce flame propagation from the combustion chamber to internal components, featuring a flame arrestor with multiple flow passages to allow fuel flow while restricting flame propagation, and a choke orifice to further constrain flame travel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flame arrestor with multiple flow passages is added to the fuel injector, then flame propagation is restricted and internal components are protected from high temperatures, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flame arrestor divides the fuel passage into multiple separate flow passages, creating physical segments that restrict flame propagation while maintaining fuel flow. This segmentation approach protects internal components by breaking up continuous flame paths into isolated segments that cannot propagate through the entire injector.
Solution Approach 2:
The flame arrestor acts as an intermediary component positioned between the combustion chamber and internal injector components. It mediates the interaction between high-temperature combustion gases and sensitive internal parts, allowing fuel passage while blocking flame propagation to vulnerable components.
2Reliability
If a choke orifice is added downstream of the flame arrestor to further constrain flame travel, then flame propagation is reduced, but device complexity and pressure loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The choke orifice creates preliminary resistance to flame propagation before flames can reach the flame arrestor or internal components. By positioning the choke downstream and creating flow constriction, it establishes an initial barrier that slows and limits flame travel before the flames encounter the main protection mechanisms.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple flow passages are created in the flame arrestor, then flame propagation is restricted, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flame arrestor utilizes a porous structure with multiple flow passages that naturally restrict flame propagation while allowing fuel flow. This porous material approach provides flame protection through the inherent properties of the material structure, simplifying manufacturing compared to creating precise individual passages.
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 solution effectively reduces exposure of internal components to high temperatures, enhancing the fuel injector's robustness and extending its operating life by preventing flame propagation.
Implementation Method 1
a flame arrestor configured to prevent or reduce flame propagation from the combustion chamber through the fuel injector to internal components housed within the fuel injector
Implementation Method 2
a choke orifice in addition to the flame arrestor to facilitate the reduction in flame propagation from the combustion chamber through the fuel injector to internal components housed within the fuel injector
Data Source
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AI summary
A fuel injector for gaseous fuel is provided. The fuel injector includes a flame arrestor and, in certain embodiments, a choke orifice configured to prevent or reduce flame propagation from the combustion chamber through the fuel injector to internal components housed within the fuel injector. The reduction or prevention of flame propagation from the combustion chamber reduces exposure of fuel injector components to temperature changes, improves fuel injector robustness, and increases operating life.