Nested Flexible Fuel Conduit for Thermal Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
In gas turbine engines, fuel delivery conduits face stress due to differential thermal expansion of components, leading to structural integrity issues as fuel flowing through them heats and expands at varying rates.
Innovation Solution
A flexible fuel delivery conduit is created by forming channels on the outer surface of a tubular body and sealing them with a second tubular body, allowing for expansion along multiple axes while maintaining structural integrity through a nested, brazed, and machined design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional mechanically bent tubes are used, then the conduit can be manufactured with simple processes, but the conduit cannot accommodate thermal expansion without structural damage
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit is divided into multiple straight segments connected by expansion joints, allowing each segment to remain structurally simple while the assembly accommodates thermal expansion through the joints between segments
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion joint design features nested tubular structures where inner tubes can move relative to outer tubes, enabling axial expansion while maintaining overall structural integrity through the nested configuration
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate conduit components are used to allow expansion, then thermal expansion is accommodated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion joint is integrated directly into the conduit assembly as a unified structure, combining the functions of connection and expansion accommodation into a single design element rather than separate components
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion joint serves multiple functions simultaneously: it connects conduit segments, accommodates thermal expansion, and maintains fluid sealing, reducing the need for additional specialized components
3Stress or pressure
If the conduit is made flexible to accommodate expansion, then thermal stress is reduced, but the manufacturing precision becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit assembly has different properties in different locations: rigid precision-machined sections for fluid delivery and flexible expansion joint sections for stress accommodation, with each zone optimized for its specific function
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion joints are pre-configured with specific clearances and orientations during manufacturing to anticipate and accommodate future thermal expansion, ensuring proper alignment is built-in rather than requiring high precision during installation
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 flexible conduit effectively mitigates stress caused by thermal expansion, ensuring reliable fuel delivery and structural integrity in high-temperature environments, outperforming conventional mechanically bent tubes.
Implementation Method 1
each separate component of the conduit may expand at different rates due to the various coefficients of thermal expansion for each conduit component
Data Source
AI summary
A process for producing a fluid conduit by forming a fluid delivery channel along the outer surface of a first elongate tubular body member. A second elongate tubular body having an inner circumference is fitted about the outer circumference of the first tubular body so as to seal the at least one fluid delivery channel on the outer surface of the first tubular body. A section of the fitted first and second tubular assembly is removed therefrom so as to define a fluid delivery channel in the form of a sealed fluid conduit.