Machined Spring with Counter-Rotational Channels for Injector Heat Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional springs used in injectors, such as fuel injectors for gas turbine engines, face issues like loss of spring force due to heat, difficulty in assembly, increased part count, and larger size and weight, which affect their performance and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A machined spring design featuring opposed spring bases connected by a spring body with counter-rotational helical spring channels, which provides uniform stiffness, reduces buckling, and integrates a liquid strainer for improved flow and assembly, while being easier to manufacture and assemble.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional wave springs are used to bias valve components, then spring force is provided, but the spring loses its spring force due to heat from welding operations
Solution Approach 1:
The spring body is segmented into multiple counter-rotational helical channels instead of a single continuous spring, allowing the structure to resist thermal deformation and maintain spring force under heat exposure from welding operations
Solution Approach 2:
The spring combines multiple material functions into a single machined component, integrating the spring body with strainer functionality and valve hold-down features, creating a composite structure that resists thermal effects while maintaining mechanical properties
2Ease of operation
If traditional springs are used in injectors, then spring function is achieved, but part count increases and assembly becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The spring integrates multiple previously separate components into a single machined part, including the spring body, strainer, and valve hold-down features, thereby reducing part count and simplifying assembly operations
Solution Approach 2:
The single spring component performs multiple functions simultaneously: providing spring biasing force, filtering liquid through integrated strainer features, and holding down valve components, eliminating the need for separate parts
3Weight of moving object
If traditional springs are used, then spring function is provided, but size envelope and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring transitions from a conventional three-dimensional coil structure to a planar annular wall with helical channels, reducing the size envelope and weight while maintaining spring performance through the counter-rotational channel geometry
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional spring designs are used, then spring function is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces traditional mechanical spring forming processes with machining processes that create the spring structure through counter-rotational helical channels in an annular wall, simplifying manufacturing while achieving the desired spring characteristics
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 machined spring design enhances performance by reducing part count, size, and weight, improving assembly, and maintaining effectiveness even under heat exposure, thus offering superior reliability and efficiency in injector applications.
Implementation Method 1
the spring body includes a generally annular wall with a first helical spring channel defined therethrough, wherein at least one of the spring bases includes a valve cross-over configured and adapted to allow flow of liquid out from inside the generally annular wall
Implementation Method 2
a valve cross-over configured and adapted to allow flow of liquid out from inside the generally annular wall through the valve cross-over
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A machined spring for injector applications includes opposed first and second spring bases separated apart along a longitudinal axis. A spring body connects the first and second spring bases. The spring body includes a generally annular wall with a plurality of spring channels defined therethrough, such as machined channels. Exemplary applications for such machined springs include liquid strainers, valve components, and structural components for accommodating thermal expansion in injectors.