Passive Flow Divider Valve for Gas Turbine Fuel Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engine fuel systems face inefficiencies due to high pressure drops across fuel nozzles, which increase the working pressure and power of the fuel pump, leading to heat generation and reduced fuel flow efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A fuel system with a flow divider valve that progressively opens to reduce pressure drop across secondary fuel nozzles as fuel flow increases, maintaining backpressure for primary nozzles while minimizing overall pressure drop, using a passive equalization mechanism to optimize fuel distribution between primary and secondary nozzles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the valve maintains high backpressure to primary nozzles for proper atomization, then fuel atomization quality is improved, but pressure drop across the valve increases leading to higher fuel pump power requirements and heat generation
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is designed to dynamically adjust its opening degree based on fuel flow rate. At low flow rates, the valve maintains a smaller opening to preserve high backpressure for proper fuel atomization. As fuel flow rate increases, the valve progressively opens to reduce pressure drop and minimize energy losses in the fuel system.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve changes the pressure parameter dynamically by adjusting its opening degree. At low flow conditions, high backpressure is maintained for atomization. At high flow conditions, the valve opens to reduce backpressure and pressure drop, thereby reducing the energy required by the fuel pump and minimizing heat generation.
2Loss of energy
If the valve opening degree is increased to reduce pressure drop, then fuel flow efficiency is improved, but backpressure to primary nozzles decreases compromising atomization
Solution Approach 1:
The valve dynamically adjusts its opening degree in response to fuel flow rate changes. This dynamic adjustment ensures that at any given flow rate, the valve maintains the optimal balance between backpressure for atomization and pressure drop for flow efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve operates automatically based on fuel flow rate without external control. The system self-regulates by allowing the fuel flow itself to determine the valve opening degree, thereby automatically balancing atomization requirements with energy efficiency.
3Manufacturing precision
If high pressure drop is introduced at the valve to maintain backpressure, then primary nozzle atomization is ensured, but fuel pump working pressure and power increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve changes the pressure parameter dynamically based on operating conditions. At low flow rates, high backpressure is maintained for atomization. As flow rate increases, the valve opens to reduce backpressure, thereby reducing the power required by the fuel pump while maintaining adequate atomization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static high-pressure-drop design to a dynamic design where the valve opening adjusts with fuel flow rate. This dynamic approach reduces the average pressure drop and power requirements across all operating conditions while maintaining atomization quality when needed.
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
This solution reduces the workload on the fuel pump and thermal management system by minimizing pressure drops, enhancing fuel flow efficiency and reducing heat generation across all engine operating conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Backpressure on the fuel flow is maintained using a valve. The valve is opened at increased fuel flow to route secondary fuel from the fuel flow to a secondary fuel nozzle.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and system for providing fuel to primary, 30, and secondary, 32, fuel nozzles in a gas turbine engine fuel system, 12, comprises generating a fuel flow and routing primary fuel from the fuel flow to a primary fuel nozzle, 30. Backpressure on the fuel flow is maintained using a valve. The valve is opened at increased fuel flow to route secondary fuel from the fuel flow to a secondary fuel nozzle, 32. The valve is progressively opened under increasing fuel flows to reduce a pressure drop across the valve produced by the secondary fuel.