Late Lean Injection Manifold with Deformable Legs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas turbine engines face mechanical challenges in routing and delivering fuel for late lean injection (LLI) due to the complexity of fuel and gas lines and the need for holes in combustor liners and transition pieces, which complicates the effective and durable injection of combustible materials downstream of the normal combustion zone.

Innovation Solution

A late lean injection manifold assembly with a central nozzle and side nozzles positioned around a vessel, featuring deformable legs that can bend or flex to accommodate thermal expansion, and a manifold design with fluid communication through toroidal chambers and radial injection holes, allowing for efficient fuel delivery and mixing with high-energy fluids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If complex fuel and gas lines are employed to deliver LLI fuel downstream of the combustion zone, then effective fuel injection can be achieved, but mechanical complexity and installation difficulty increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel injection effectivenessVSAvoidfuel line complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple fuel delivery functions into a single integrated manifold assembly. The manifold incorporates multiple nozzles, fuel lines, and mounting features in one component that attaches to the combustor liner, eliminating the need for separate complex fuel line routing through the transition piece.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The manifold acts as an intermediary component between the fuel source and the injection points in the combustor liner. It provides a centralized distribution system that simplifies fuel delivery by consolidating multiple injection points into one attachable assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If holes are formed in combustor liners and transition pieces for LLI fuel injection, then fuel can be delivered to the combustion zone, but structural integrity and manufacturing complexity are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel delivery capabilityVSAvoidcombustor liner manufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The injection system is segmented into a separate manifold assembly that attaches to the combustor liner rather than being integrated into the liner itself. This allows the liner to be manufactured without complex hole patterns, while the manifold provides the injection functionality as a separate, modular component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If rigid fuel lines are used to deliver LLI fuel, then structural stability is maintained, but thermal expansion and contraction cause mechanical strain and potential failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel line stabilityVSAvoidfuel line durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel lines incorporate sections with changed mechanical properties - specifically, flexible or expandable sections that allow thermal expansion and contraction without causing mechanical failure. This maintains structural stability while accommodating thermal cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The fuel line system incorporates dynamic elements that can flex and move with thermal expansion. The manifold assembly and its connections are designed to accommodate movement rather than resist it, preventing mechanical strain during thermal cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 manifold assembly simplifies the installation and operation of LLI systems, enabling effective fuel injection downstream of the combustion zone with reduced mechanical complexity and strain, while maintaining high energy consumption and minimal NOx production.

Implementation Method 1

the combustible materials injected at this location increase temperature and energy of the high energy fluids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 2

featuring deformable legs that can bend or flex to accommodate thermal expansion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS8745987B2Late lean injection manifold

Publication Date: 2014.06.10 GE INFRASTRUCTURE TECH LLC

AI summary

A late lean injection (LLI) manifold is provided and includes a central nozzle and first and second side nozzles positioned at circumferential locations defined around a vessel, a connector, a first leg, to which the connector is connected, formed to define a tube extending from the central nozzle to the first side nozzle such that fuel is communicable between the connector, the central nozzle and the first side nozzle and a second leg. The second leg is formed to define a tube extending from the central nozzle to the second side nozzle such that the fuel is communicable between the central nozzle and the second side nozzle.