Impulse Duty Cycle Valve Toggle Mechanism for Gas Turbine Fuel Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional valves used in gas turbine engines require significant power to maintain individual control for multiple fuel injectors, leading to impractical power requirements and complications in actuation methods, making individual injector control difficult.
Innovation Solution
A valve design featuring a toggle mechanism with a solenoid-operated armature and pintle that cycles flow between zero and full flow rates using impulse actuation, allowing for near zero duty cycle operation without continuous power input, utilizing interlocking toggle features and springs to maintain positions between impulses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional solenoid valves are used for individual injector control, then individual control capability is achieved, but power consumption becomes prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The valve uses periodic impulse actuation instead of continuous power supply. The solenoid receives periodic electrical impulses that trigger the toggle mechanism to switch between open and closed states, allowing individual injector control while consuming minimal power during transitions rather than continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The toggle mechanism is self-latching, maintaining valve positions without continuous external energy input. Once actuated by an impulse, the mechanical toggle mechanism holds the valve in its selected position through its own mechanical structure, eliminating the need for continuous power to maintain the state
2Ease of operation
If traditional valves are used for multiple injectors, then individual control is possible, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single valve design with a toggle mechanism can control multiple fuel injectors by selectively directing fuel flow to different injectors. The valve serves multiple functions (controlling multiple injectors) rather than requiring one dedicated valve per injector, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining individual control capability
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 valve achieves efficient flow control with reduced power consumption by toggling between flow states using impulse actuation, enabling individual control of fuel injectors in gas turbine engines with improved duty cycles and reduced peak electrical loads.
Implementation Method 1
The toggle mechanism can include a solenoid operatively mounted to the valve housing surrounding an armature mounted within the solenoid for movement relative to the valve housing, wherein the solenoid is configured and adapted to provide impulse actuation to the armature for cycling the flow rates.
Implementation Method 2
A pintle spring can be mounted in the valve housing to bias the pintle fingers into the pockets of the valve housing. An armature spring is mounted in the valve housing to bias the armature away from the pintle fingers.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve includes a valve housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet with a longitudinal axis defined through the valve housing. The valve also includes a toggle mechanism configured and adapted to cycle flow from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet through a plurality of different flow rates in response to repeated impulses. The toggle mechanism is also configured to hold flow rate steady between impulses.