Integral Engine Actuation With Burst Plate Startup Gas Release
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engine starter systems require improvements in efficiency and reliability, particularly in challenging environments such as high altitudes, where traditional actuation methods may fail.
Innovation Solution
A monolithic engine actuation system incorporating a fluid reservoir, flow circuit, and a flow regulator with a burst plate mechanism to provide pressurized gas for engine startup, integrated within the engine's static structure, ensuring reliable operation under adverse conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic valve systems are used for engine actuation, then the system can provide controlled fluid flow, but the device complexity and potential for malfunction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes complex valve mechanisms (electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic) from the actuation system and replaces them with a simple burst plate mechanism. The burst plate is a passive component that bursts when pressure exceeds a threshold, eliminating the need for active control valves and significantly reducing system complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation system uses the engine's own compressed air system to actuate the burst plate mechanism. The system is self-contained, using internally generated pressure to trigger the actuation event, eliminating the need for external control systems or additional power sources.
2Device complexity
If separate components (fluid reservoir, flow circuit, actuation system) are used, then the system provides modular functionality, but the overall size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the fluid reservoir, flow circuit, and actuation system into a single unified structure. The reservoir is formed as part of the engine housing, the flow circuit uses existing engine passages, and the actuation system is incorporated into the housing structure, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The engine housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, contains the fluid reservoir, and incorporates the flow circuit passages. The actuation system uses the same compressed air that powers the engine, eliminating the need for dedicated actuation components.
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 integrated system reduces size, complexity, and cost while enhancing reliability and simplicity, avoiding malfunctions associated with electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic valves, and effectively initiating engine startup in harsh environments.
Implementation Method 1
A monolithic engine actuation system incorporating a fluid reservoir, flow circuit, and a flow regulator with a burst plate mechanism to provide pressurized gas for engine startup
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An engine system includes a gas turbine engine and an actuation system (26). The gas turbine engine includes a compressor section, a combustor section, a turbine section (39) and a flowpath (34) extending through the compressor section, the combustor section and the turbine section (39). The actuation system (26) includes a fluid reservoir (108), a flow regulator (112) and a flow circuit (110). The flow regulator (112) is configured as or otherwise includes a barrier between the fluid reservoir (108) and the flow circuit (110). The flow regulator (112) is configured to fluidly decouple the fluid reservoir (108) from the flow circuit (110) when the barrier is intact. The flow regulator (112) is configured to fluidly couple the fluid reservoir (108) with the flow circuit (110) when the barrier breaks. The flow circuit (110) is configured to direct gas from the fluid reservoir (108) into the flowpath (34) when the barrier breaks.