Integrated Firing Valve Assembly for Excess-Fuel Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing firing apparatuses for gas turbines are cumbersome, prone to failures due to numerous parts, and require complex maintenance, with a risk of excess fuel delivery leading to overheating and increased downtime.

Innovation Solution

A compact firing apparatus with a shutoff module and adjustment module, featuring a shutoff valve, metering valve, and firing valve assembly, allowing selective fuel passage and control to prevent excess fueling, and comprising a firing valve assembly with a lower nominal flow rate to manage fuel delivery during startup, operation, and shutdown phases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional firing apparatuses are used with multiple valves and control components, then fuel delivery control is achieved, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple valve functions (shutoff valve, metering valve, firing valve) into a single integrated firing apparatus with a unified control mechanism. The apparatus integrates the shutoff function, metering function, and firing function in one compact unit, reducing the number of separate components and improving reliability by eliminating multiple failure points while maintaining precise fuel delivery control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The firing apparatus is designed as a multi-functional device that performs shutoff, metering, and firing control within a single unit. The apparatus can operate in different modes (firing mode, metering mode, shutoff mode) and adapts to various fuel compositions, making it a universal solution that replaces multiple specialized components with one versatile device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If traditional firing apparatuses with multiple parts are used, then fuel control functionality is provided, but maintenance requirements increase and downtime increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoiddowntime
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating all fuel control functions into a single apparatus, the patent reduces the number of components that require maintenance. The unified design means fewer parts to replace, adjust, or repair, thereby reducing maintenance time and increasing productivity with minimal downtime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of moving object

If compact design is implemented, then space is saved, but fuel delivery control precision may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevolumeVSAvoidfuel delivery control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves compact design by merging multiple valve functions into a single integrated apparatus. This consolidation allows for a smaller overall volume while maintaining precise fuel delivery control through the unified control mechanism that coordinates shutoff, metering, and firing functions with accurate positioning and flow control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs advanced control mechanisms that replace traditional mechanical linkages with more precise control systems. This allows for compact positioning while maintaining or improving fuel delivery control precision through electronic or hydraulic control systems that provide accurate metering and timing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If excess fuel is supplied during startup phase, then fueling is simplified, but overheating occurs and damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidoverheating
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action through the shutoff valve that prevents excess fuel from reaching the combustion chamber during the startup phase. The control system activates the shutoff valve before fuel delivery begins, and maintains it in a controlled position during startup, ensuring that fuel flow is limited to safe levels and preventing overheating before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback control through the metering valve and control system that continuously monitors fuel flow and combustion conditions. During startup, the system adjusts fuel delivery in real-time based on temperature sensors and flow meters, preventing excess fuel accumulation and overheating while maintaining ease of operation through automatic control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4499996B1Firing apparatus and firing method for high reactive fuel gases
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 NUOVO PIGNONE TECH SRL
  • EP4499996B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4499996B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4499996B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A firing apparatus to control the firing of one or more burners of a gas turbine is disclosed. The firing apparatus comprises a shutoff module, for selectively allowing the passage of the fuel from a fuel source, and an adjustment module, which is capable of adjusting the fuel to be delivered to a nozzle manifold of the gas turbine during the firing phase. Also disclosed are methods of firing the gas turbine.