Hybrid Fuel Delivery System for Gas Turbine Engine Efficiency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engine fuel supply systems suffer from overcapacity, leading to increased fuel consumption and temperature due to fixed displacement pumps sized for maximum demand, which results in inefficiency at lower operating conditions.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid fuel delivery system incorporating a mechanically-driven fuel pump and an electrically-driven reversible pump, controlled by an engine control unit, allowing for selective energization to match fuel flow with engine demands, reducing overcapacity and optimizing fuel usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed displacement main fuel pump is sized for maximum demand, then the engine can meet peak fuel requirements, but fuel pumping overcapacity increases at lower operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by replacing the fixed displacement pump with a variable displacement pump that can adjust its fuel output based on engine operating conditions. The pump mechanism includes adjustable displacement elements that respond to system pressure and flow demands, allowing the same pump to efficiently serve both peak and low-demand conditions without overcapacity waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the fuel pump by implementing variable displacement control. The pump's displacement volume is dynamically adjusted based on engine load, speed, and fuel demand signals, transforming the pump from a fixed-parameter device to a variable-parameter device that optimizes efficiency across the operating range.
2Reliability
If a fixed displacement main fuel pump is sized for maximum demand, then the engine can meet peak fuel requirements, but engine fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The variable displacement pump dynamically adjusts fuel delivery to match actual engine demand, reducing the energy required for fuel pumping at part-throttle and idle conditions. This dynamic adjustment directly reduces the horsepower extracted from the engine, improving overall fuel consumption efficiency while maintaining adequate supply during peak demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where engine operating parameters (load, speed, manifold pressure) are monitored and used to control pump displacement. This closed-loop control ensures the pump delivers exactly the right amount of fuel needed, preventing energy waste from over-pumping while ensuring adequate supply when demand is high.
3Reliability
If a fixed displacement main fuel pump is sized for maximum demand, then the engine can meet peak fuel requirements, but overall fuel temperature increases
Solution Approach 1:
The variable displacement pump reduces excessive fuel flow at low-demand conditions, which in turn reduces the heat generated by turbulent flow and friction in the fuel delivery system. By matching pump output to actual demand, the system minimizes unnecessary fuel circulation that contributes to temperature rise, maintaining better fuel temperature control across all operating conditions.
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 hybrid system reduces fuel consumption and temperature by ensuring the right amount of fuel is delivered at various operating conditions, improving engine efficiency and reducing waste.
Implementation Method 1
an electrically-driven pump having a first end and a second end, the first end in fluid communication with the mechanically-driven pump inlet and the second end in fluid communication with the mechanically-driven pump outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A gas turbine engine fuel delivery system includes a mechanically-driven fuel pump, an electrically-driven fuel pump, and an engine control. The mechanically-driven fuel pump is adapted to receive a drive torque from a gas turbine engine draw fuel into its fuel inlet and discharge the fuel from its fuel outlet. The electrically-driven fuel pump has a first fuel inlet/outlet that is in fluid communication with the mechanically-driven fuel pump fuel inlet, and also has a second fuel inlet/outlet. The engine control is responsive to an engine start signal to cause the electrically-driven fuel pump to be temporarily energized to pump fuel from the first fuel inlet/outlet to the second fuel inlet/outlet, and is responsive to an engine shutdown signal to cause the electrically-driven pump to be temporarily energized to pump fuel from the second fuel inlet/outlet to the first fuel inlet/outlet.