Multi-Fuel Injector Parallel Flow Carrier Fluid Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fluid injection systems, inactive fluid passages can become contaminated with hot combustion products, fuel, or chemicals, leading to issues like solidification or corrosion, especially when they are not actively used, such as in low-power operations or during fuel switching.
Innovation Solution
A fuel injector system with a parallel flow arrangement of active fluid inlets positioned upstream of any fluid mixing points, ensuring that localized flow reversals, including Coanda effects and pressure differentials, do not result in mixed fluids entering inactive passages, using a carrier fluid to isolate and prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fuel supply ducts are used for different operating modes, then the fuel injector can operate on different types of fuel and at different power levels, but inactive passages become contaminated with hot combustion products, fuel, or chemicals leading to solidification or corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
A carrier fluid (typically air) is introduced as an intermediary substance that flows through all fluid passages simultaneously. This carrier fluid acts as a mediator that prevents direct contact between inactive fuel passages and contaminated environments, thereby protecting the passages from corrosion and solidification while maintaining the system's multi-fuel capability
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier fluid is supplied in advance to all fluid passages before fuel injection occurs. By establishing a preliminary flow of clean carrier fluid through the passages, the system proactively prevents contamination before it can occur, ensuring that inactive passages remain clean even when not actively injecting fuel
2Loss of energy
If fluid passages are kept inactive during certain operations, then energy is saved and system complexity is reduced, but stagnant residual fluid in inactive passages solidifies or causes corrosion when exposed to temperature and chemicals
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier fluid flow continues uninterrupted through all passages regardless of whether fuel injection is active in those passages. This continuous flow of clean carrier fluid replaces the stagnant residual fuel that would otherwise solidify or corrode the passages, maintaining a protective action without requiring additional energy-intensive measures
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier fluid system serves a dual function: it enables fuel injection when needed and simultaneously protects inactive passages from contamination. The same fluid delivery mechanism that provides fuel also provides protection to inactive passages, making the system self-servicing without requiring separate protection systems
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
Effectively prevents contamination and corrosion in inactive fluid passages by maintaining a clean environment through the use of a carrier fluid and strategic positioning of active fluid inlets, ensuring system reliability across varying operational conditions.
Implementation Method 1
localized flow reversals, including Coanda effects and pressure differentials
Data Source
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AI summary
A system includes a turbine engine having a fuel injector. The fuel injector includes fluid ducts, each having a fuel inlet coupled to a distinct fuel source. The system includes a compressed air source that provides compressed air simultaneously to the fluid ducts, and a convergence point where combined fuel and air streams from the ducts are mixed. The fuel inlets are in a parallel flow arrangement such that no fuel from one fuel injector is present at another fuel injector.