Segmented Fuel Manifold Firesleeve for 2000°F Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel manifold fire protection systems in gas turbine engines fail to withstand high temperatures of 2000°F (1093°C) and are difficult to inspect without damaging the system, requiring special tools and leading to costly replacements.
Innovation Solution
A fire protection system for fuel manifolds comprising multiple segments with a second firesleeve, cuff, and boot, which covers more metal surface to prevent heat absorption and allows for easy inspection without damaging the system, using materials like fiber reinforced silicone rubber and silicone rubber for enhanced fire resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complete cohesive blanket fire protection system is used to withstand 2000°F temperature, then fire resistance is improved, but inspection becomes extremely complicated and time-consuming requiring special tools
Solution Approach 1:
The fire protection system is divided into multiple separate segments (first firesleeve, second firesleeve, cuff, boot) that can be individually removed and inspected. Each segment can be independently accessed without requiring special tools, allowing routine inspection while maintaining fire resistance when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static cohesive blanket to a dynamic modular structure where segments can be easily assembled and disassembled. This allows the system to adapt between providing complete fire protection during operation and allowing easy inspection during maintenance.
2Reliability
If a complete cohesive blanket fire protection system is used to withstand 2000°F temperature, then fire resistance is improved, but the system may be ruined during inspection requiring replacement
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the fire protection system into separate components, each segment can be inspected individually without compromising the integrity of the entire system. If one segment shows wear, only that specific segment needs replacement rather than the entire fire protection blanket.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular segments can be recovered and reused after inspection if they remain intact. This approach allows the system to be maintained and reused rather than discarded, reducing waste and replacement costs.
3Ease of manufacture
If fire protection system is designed by trial and error at lower temperatures, then manufacturing is simplified, but the system fails at 2000°F minimum average temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented design allows each component to be optimized and tested independently for high-temperature performance. This modular approach enables systematic engineering of fire resistance at 2000°F without requiring trial-and-error testing of a complete cohesive system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multiple different fire protective materials (first firesleeve material, second firesleeve material, cuff material, boot material) that can be selected and combined to achieve the required 2000°F resistance. Each material can be optimized for specific performance characteristics while maintaining ease of manufacture.
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 system effectively withstands temperatures of 2000°F (1093°C) for at least 5 minutes at low flow rates and allows for quick, tool-free inspection and reuse, reducing maintenance costs and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
Fuel manifold fire protection is increased as more exposed metal of the fuel manifold is covered with fire protective material, as this prevents the fuel manifold from absorbing additional heat
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a
AI summary
A fuel manifold segment (128) for supplying fuel to a fuel injector contains a fuel line (24) surrounded by a first firesleeve (20). A pigtail line (32) connects to the fuel line (24). A connector (34) on the pigtail line (32) connects to a fuel injector inlet fitting (40). A second firesleeve (18) surrounds the first firesleeve (20). A cuff (30) surrounds the pigtail line (32), a portion of first firesleeve (20), and the portion of fuel line (24) to which the pigtail line (32) is connected. A boot (36) then surrounds the connector (34).