Pump Mixer Separator Unit for Helicopter Fuel Oxygen Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel oxygen conversion systems for gas turbine engines are costly, heavy, and difficult to integrate into aeronautical engines with sub-ambient pressure fuel supplies, such as helicopter engines, due to their complexity and the risk of fuel coking from improper heating.
Innovation Solution
A pump mixer separator unit with integral first and second pumps that mix and separate fuel and stripping gas flows, generating pressure rises and reducing oxygen content, while minimizing the need for multiple components, using a supplemental jet eductor feature to draw fuel from sub-ambient pressure supplies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for fuel oxygen conversion, then fuel oxygen reduction is achieved, but system weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the first pump, second pump, heat exchanger, and associated components into a single integrated pump mixer separator unit. This merging of previously separate components into one unified structure directly reduces system weight and complexity while maintaining the fuel oxygen reduction function, resolving the contradiction between achieving oxygen reduction and minimizing system weight.
2Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for fuel oxygen conversion, then fuel oxygen reduction is achieved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functional components (first pump, second pump, heat exchanger, separator) into a single manufactured unit. This consolidation reduces the number of separate parts that need to be sourced, assembled, and maintained, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and improving ease of manufacture while achieving the required fuel oxygen reduction.
3Use of energy by moving object
If fuel is heated without proper conditioning, then heat capacity is utilized, but fuel coking occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a heat exchanger that pre-conditions the fuel by controlling its heating process before the fuel enters the combustion system. This preliminary thermal conditioning ensures the fuel is heated to the appropriate temperature range without exceeding thresholds that would cause coking, thus utilizing heat capacity safely. The heat exchanger acts in advance to prepare the fuel properly, preventing harmful coking effects.
4Reliability
If conventional fuel oxygen conversion systems are used, then oxygen content is reduced, but integration into sub-ambient pressure systems is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the pump mixer separator unit to perform multiple functions within a single integrated structure: the first pump handles fuel delivery and initial mixing, the heat exchanger provides thermal conditioning, the separator performs oxygen removal, and the second pump delivers conditioned fuel. This multi-functional design makes the system adaptable to various applications including sub-ambient pressure helicopter engines, significantly improving integration capability and versatility.
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 reduces fuel oxygen content, increases fuel pressure, and minimizes weight and cost by integrating multiple functions into a single component, enabling safe and efficient operation in aeronautical engines, particularly those with sub-ambient pressure fuel supplies.
Implementation Method 1
a first pump in fluid communication with the stripping gas line and the fuel line to form a fuel/gas mixture flow and generate a first pressure rise from the inlet fuel flow to the fuel/gas mixture flow
Implementation Method 2
a second pump in fluid communication with the first pump, wherein the second pump receives the fuel/gas mixture flow from the first pump, wherein the second pump separates the fuel/gas mixture flow into an outlet stripping gas flow and an outlet fuel flow
Implementation Method 3
the first pump includes a supplemental pump feature for drawing an inlet fuel flow through the fuel line during operation
Data Source
AI summary
A pump mixer separator unit is provided in communication with a stripping gas line that provides an inlet stripping gas flow and a fuel line that provides an inlet fuel flow. The pump mixer separator unit includes a first pump in fluid communication with the stripping gas line and the fuel line to form a fuel/gas mixture flow and generate a first pressure rise from the inlet fuel flow to the fuel/gas mixture flow; and a second pump in fluid communication with the first pump, wherein the second pump receives the fuel/gas mixture flow from the first pump, wherein the second pump separates the fuel/gas mixture flow into an outlet stripping gas flow and an outlet fuel flow and generates a second pressure rise from the fuel/gas mixture flow to the outlet fuel flow, wherein the first pump includes a supplemental pump feature for drawing an inlet fuel flow through the fuel line during operation.