External Manifold Inline Bleed Valve for Passive Pressure Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inline valves in gas turbine engines require active control mechanisms and occupy significant space within the valve body, limiting the flow area and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Passive actuation of inline valves using external control manifold and actuator, allowing the valve member to move based on pressure differentials between control and reference fluids, eliminating the need for remote control signals and reducing the valve body's internal space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If active control mechanisms are used within the valve body, then the valve can be actuated reliably, but the valve body occupies significant space and limits the flow area
Solution Approach 1:
The control manifold is moved from the interior to the exterior of the valve body, utilizing external space rather than internal space. This dimensional relocation allows the valve body interior to be dedicated entirely to flow passage, maximizing the flow area while maintaining reliable actuation control through the external manifold
Solution Approach 2:
The control mechanism is extracted from the valve body interior and placed externally. By removing the control manifold from inside the valve body, the internal volume is freed up to create larger flow passages, while the control function is preserved through the external manifold configuration
2Ease of operation
If remote control signals are used to actuate the valve, then the valve can be controlled from a distance, but external control mechanisms are required that increase system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The valve actuation system uses locally available pressure differentials between the control fluid and reference fluid to automatically actuate the valve. The system serves itself by utilizing the process fluids' own pressure characteristics to control the valve, eliminating the need for external control signals and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The control manifold acts as an intermediary that translates pressure differentials between control and reference fluids into valve actuation. This intermediary mechanism provides a simple, direct connection between pressure conditions and valve state, avoiding complex control systems while maintaining ease of operation
3Reliability
If the valve body is made larger to accommodate control mechanisms, then the valve can be actuated, but the flow area is reduced and efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By relocating the control manifold to external dimensions, the internal three-dimensional space of the valve body is fully available for fluid flow. This dimensional separation allows the valve body to be optimized for flow efficiency while the external manifold handles the actuation control functions
Solution Approach 2:
The valve system is segmented into two distinct functional zones: the valve body dedicated to fluid flow and the external control manifold dedicated to actuation control. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, with the valve body maximizing flow area and the external manifold providing reliable control
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
Enables smaller valve bodies with larger flow areas and efficient fluid control without the need for external control mechanisms, enhancing operational efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the valve member movable between a first position and a second position according to a pressure at an inlet of the valve body, a pressure of a control fluid, and a pressure of a reference fluid
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
An inline valve includes a valve body (102), a valve member (104), and a control manifold (106). The valve body has an exterior (108), an inlet (110), and an outlet (112). The valve member is supported within the valve body and is movable between a first position and a second position. The inlet in fluid communication with the outlet while the valve member is in the first position and the inlet fluidly separated from the outlet while the valve member is in the second position. The control manifold is supported by the valve body, has a reference fluid port (118) and a control fluid port (120), and is in pneumatic communication with the valve member (104) through the valve body exterior (108) to passive movement of the valve member according to pressure at the valve body inlet. Gas turbine engines and methods of controlling valves are described.