Poppet Bleed Valve With Passive-Active Pressure Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bleed valves in gas turbine engines lack the ability to efficiently manage fluid pressure during engine starting, requiring improved mechanisms to reduce compressor work input and effectively vent the compressor section.
Innovation Solution
A bleed valve design featuring a poppet and piston mechanism with a biasing spring and poppet spring, allowing for three discrete positions (fully open, intermediate, and closed) and controlled by ambient and muscle pressures via a solenoid valve, enabling both active and passive bleed functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a conventional bleed valve is used, then the compressor section can be vented to reduce work input, but the valve cannot efficiently manage fluid pressure during engine starting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines active and passive bleed valve functionalities into a single integrated valve assembly. The poppet valve integrates both a passive closure mechanism (using spring force and pressure differential) and an active control mechanism (using solenoid-actuated piston), allowing the system to achieve both energy efficiency and reliable pressure management during engine starting operations
Solution Approach 2:
The bleed valve is designed to perform multiple functions: passive closure based on pressure differential, active controlled closure via solenoid actuation, and intermediate positioning capability. This multi-functionality allows the single valve to replace what would traditionally require separate passive and active bleed valves, improving both energy management and reliability
2Reliability
If a single valve integrates both active and passive functions, then the bleed system reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The active piston mechanism is nested within the passive poppet valve structure. The piston operates inside the valve body and interacts with the poppet assembly, allowing both mechanisms to share common structural elements such as the valve body, sealing surfaces, and fluid passages. This nesting reduces the overall complexity compared to having separate valves
3Reliability
If three discrete positions are implemented, then the fluid pressure management capability improves, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve uses self-regulating mechanisms to achieve precise positioning. The passive spring force automatically balances against fluid pressure to establish equilibrium positions. The solenoid-actuated piston provides controlled movement to specific positions based on electrical signals. These self-service mechanisms reduce the need for high-precision mechanical manufacturing, as the system inherently compensates for minor dimensional variations
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 design enhances the bleed valve's ability to manage fluid pressure, reducing compressor work input during engine starting and improving the reliability and simplicity of the bleed system by integrating both active and passive functions in a single valve.
Implementation Method 1
The biasing spring can be arranged to exert a biasing force on the piston when ambient pressure is present within the valve body. The biasing spring can be arranged to exert substantially no biasing force on the piston when pressure greater than ambient is present within the valve body
Implementation Method 2
A poppet spring can be arranged between the poppet and the piston. The poppet spring can have a piston end fixed relative to the piston and movable relative to the valve body
Implementation Method 3
Closure can be passive, the bleed valve closing in response to fluid pressure acting upon of the bleed valve. Closure can be active, the bleed valve being closed by fluid pressure sensed within the compressor section
Data Source
AI summary
A bleed valve for an air plenum includes a valve body having a poppet seat, a poppet supported by the valve body and movable relative to the poppet seat, and piston slideable relative to the poppet and movable relative to the poppet between an extended position and a retracted position. Gas turbine engines and methods of bleeding fluid from gas turbine engines are also described.