Remote Laser Ignitor Combustor for Gas Turbine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engine combustors with traditional spark plugs and laser igniters face maintenance challenges due to thermal growth-induced fretting and exposure of optical components to soot, which affects reliability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A combustor design for gas turbine engines featuring a laser igniter mounted remotely to the casing, with a beam path extending through apertures in the liner, avoiding direct exposure to soot and thermal stress, thus eliminating the need for a floating connection and protecting optical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a laser igniter is housed in the strut with optical components exposed to the combustion chamber, then ignition function is achieved, but optical components are exposed to soot requiring maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the optical components (laser igniter, lenses, windows) from the strut housing and relocates them to the casing. This separation removes the optical path from exposure to soot and thermal conditions in the combustion chamber, eliminating the maintenance issues while preserving the ignition function through the liner apertures
2Stability of the object's composition
If a floating collar is used to accommodate thermal growth of the liner, then thermal expansion is compensated, but fretting occurs requiring regular maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the floating collar and strut mounting arrangement entirely by relocating the laser igniter to the casing. This eliminates the mechanical connection between moving and stationary components that caused fretting, while the optical beam still accommodates thermal growth through the apertures in the liner
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical floating collar connection with an optical system. Instead of mechanically accommodating thermal growth through a floating collar, the laser beam passes through apertures in the liner that accommodate thermal displacement optically, eliminating mechanical fretting
3Ease of repair
If the laser igniter is mounted remotely to the casing, then optical components are protected from soot exposure, but the beam path must extend across the plenum through apertures in the liner
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the apertures in the liner serve multiple functions: they enable controlled fluid flow communication of compressed air from the plenum into the subchamber, and simultaneously serve as beam path apertures for the laser igniter. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components while achieving protection of optical elements
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 reduces maintenance requirements and prevents optical component exposure to soot, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of gas turbine engine combustors by maintaining alignment and leak-proof integrity.
Implementation Method 1
at least one laser ignitor mounted to the casing, remotely from the liner, the at least one laser ignitor having an igniter beam path for igniting the fuel and air mixture in the subchamber
Implementation Method 2
the igniter beam path extending at least partially across the plenum and into the subchamber through a corresponding one of the at least one beam path apertures in the liner
Implementation Method 3
the liner having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough and allowing controlled fluid flow communication of the compressed air from the plenum into the subchamber
Implementation Method 4
igniting the fuel and air mixture in the subchamber and generating a hot stream of combustion gasses through the outlet
Data Source
AI summary
The combustor has a laser ignitor mounted to the casing, remotely from the liner of the combustion chamber. The laser ignitor has an igniter beam path for igniting the fuel and air mixture in the combustion chamber, the igniter beam path extending at least partially across the air plenum surrounding the liner and into the combustion chamber through a corresponding beam path aperture provided in the liner.