Reverse Flow Fueldraulic Valve for Scramjet Ignition Metering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hydraulically driven valves, such as fueldraulic valves, fail to accurately and reliably meter high-pressure ignition media in scramjet engines due to extreme pressure and temperature conditions, requiring additional components like pressure regulators that increase weight and risk of failure.

Innovation Solution

A reverse primary flow pressurized media driven valve with a metering member that moves parallel to the flow, using a uniquely configured nozzle body and pintle with precise contouring to minimize side loading and ensure accurate sealing, eliminating the need for pre-metering pressure regulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional fueldraulic valves are used to meter high-pressure ignition media, then the valve structure is simple, but the valve fails to accurately and reliably meter at extreme pressures and temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetering accuracy and reliabilityVSAvoidvalve structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional valve approach by using the high-pressure primary media flow itself to drive the actuator, rather than using a separate hydraulic fluid. This reverse flow configuration allows the valve to handle extreme pressures up to 4,000 psia directly without requiring additional pressure regulation components, thereby improving reliability while maintaining structural efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Measurement precision

If a separate pressure regulator is added to step down pressure for accurate metering, then metering accuracy improves, but weight and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetering accuracyVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the actuator drive function and the primary media flow into a single integrated system. The high-pressure ignition media flows through the actuator chamber to directly drive the piston, combining what would traditionally be separate components (pressure regulator + actuator) into one unified valve structure, thereby eliminating additional weight while maintaining metering accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If a separate pressure regulator is added to step down pressure, then metering accuracy improves, but the number of components and potential failure points increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetering accuracyVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If the metering member moves perpendicular to flow, then sealing is improved, but side loading increases requiring more robust components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidcomponent robustness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional metering member orientation by having it move parallel to the primary media flow direction rather than perpendicular. The pintle metering member travels axially along the flow path, which minimizes side loading on the metering components while maintaining effective sealing through the reverse flow configuration at the metering section

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 valve operates reliably at high pressures without pre-metering pressure regulation, providing accurate metering and reduced component robustness, ensuring consistent performance and minimizing the risk of failure in extreme environments.

Implementation Method 1

A piston disposed in the piston chamber is driven by the pressurized fuel along a stroke axis with respect to a nozzle body disposed in the metering chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

the metering member engages the metering section to close off the inlet flow of the primary media

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical sealing:

Data Source

PatentUS7913973B1Reverse flow fueldraulic valve

Publication Date: 2011.03.29 VALEO SCHALTER & SENSOREN GMBH

AI summary

A reverse flow valve for metering high pressure gaseous media, such as ignition media to the injectors of a scramjet engine in a hyerpsonic flight vehicle, has a metering member that moves parallel to the flow direction of the metered media and throttles the valve in a direction counter to the flow direction. This reduces side loading on the metering member and permits the use of a lighter and smaller actuating mechanism. The metering member can be a pintle having a uniquely configured pintle seat providing bubble tight shut off of the inlet flow without effecting the critical flow contour of the media. The pintle can be driven by a piston that is responsive to push-pull forces of pressurized drive fluid under servo control. The drive fluid is isolated from the gaseous media by a primary seal, which can be seated on the piston without deformation by a seal retainer. The drive fluid can be fuel diverted from the sustained combustion fuel system of the vehicle so that a separate hydraulic system is not required.