Gas Turbine Fuel Manifold Mounting for Thermal Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engine internal fuel manifolds face challenges in thermal expansion due to mismatches in materials, leading to complex and costly mounting systems that are difficult to assemble and add weight.
Innovation Solution
A mounting system for the internal fuel manifold using three equally spaced supports, including pin supports with radially extending pins and lugs, allowing for axial constraint while permitting radial thermal expansion, and a fuel inlet tube that provides both fuel flow and load-bearing support, minimizing the number of supports to reduce assembly complexity and stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex connections are used to accommodate thermal expansion mismatches, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the degree of freedom parameters of the mounting system by using a single support structure that provides axial constraint while permitting radial movement. This parameter change allows the system to accommodate thermal expansion (maintaining reliability) while reducing the number of connection elements (reducing complexity)
Solution Approach 2:
The single mounting support structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides axial positioning, accommodates radial thermal expansion, and maintains structural integrity. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate complex connection systems, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability
2Reliability
If complex connections are used to accommodate thermal expansion mismatches, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting support structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: an axial constraint portion and a radial movement portion. This segmentation allows each part to be manufactured independently with simpler processes, then assembled together, reducing overall manufacturing difficulty while maintaining the reliability needed for thermal expansion accommodation
3Manufacturing precision
If more support points are added to constrain the fuel manifold, then positioning accuracy is improved, but weight increases and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the number of support points to the minimum necessary (three equally spaced supports) while changing the degree of freedom constraints at each support. Each support provides axial constraint but permits radial movement, achieving positioning accuracy without the weight penalty of over-constraining the system with additional supports
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 solution effectively manages thermal expansion, reduces assembly complexity, and minimizes weight and cost by distributing loads across three supports, ensuring accurate positioning and easy assembly while accommodating radial growth and axial constraint.
Implementation Method 1
permitting the fuel manifold to radially displace relative to the surrounding gas generator casing due to thermal size change
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting system for an annular internal fuel manifold of a gas turbine engine includes three supports equally spaced apart about the annular fuel manifold, the three supports having at least two pin supports disposed between the fuel manifold and a surrounding gas generator casing. Each pin support includes a radially extending pin co-operating with an aligned ring slidingly disposed around the pin for relative sliding displacement therebetween. The pin supports providing axial constraint while permitting the fuel manifold to radially displace relative to the surrounding gas generator casing due to thermal size change.