Self-Cleaning Oil Conduits Using Thermal Mesh Against Coke Buildup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Carbonaceous deposits (coke) form on the interior surfaces of conduits in gas turbine engines, leading to restricted or blocked fluid flow and potential damage due to shedding of large coke pieces.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of self-cleaning conduits, such as oil tubes, equipped with a mesh sleeve made of shape memory alloy or bimetallic materials. This mesh sleeve changes length or moves along the conduit's interior surface due to thermal cycling, breaking up coke deposits which are then removed by the natural fluid flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional conduits are used to carry hydrocarbon fluids, then the conduits are simple in structure and easy to manufacture, but carbonaceous deposits form on the interior surfaces leading to restricted fluid flow and potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid flow reliabilityVSAvoidconduit structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conduit employs a self-cleaning mechanism where thermal cycling automatically causes the mesh sleeve to expand and contract, breaking up coke deposits without external intervention. The hydrocarbon fluid flow naturally removes the broken deposits, making the system self-maintaining and eliminating the need for external cleaning systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mesh sleeve utilizes thermal expansion and contraction parameter changes in response to thermal cycling. As temperature fluctuates, the mesh sleeve expands and contracts along the conduit interior surface, mechanically breaking up coke deposits that form on the conduit walls

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If the conduit operates at elevated temperatures to maintain efficiency, then power output is improved, but carbonaceous deposits form more rapidly on interior surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine power outputVSAvoidcoke deposit formation rate

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the harmful thermal cycling that accelerates coke formation into a beneficial self-cleaning mechanism. The same temperature fluctuations that promote deposit formation also drive the mesh sleeve's expansion and contraction, which mechanically breaks up and removes the deposits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The mesh sleeve undergoes periodic expansion and contraction with each thermal cycle. This periodic mechanical action continuously disrupts and breaks up coke deposits as they form, preventing significant buildup while allowing the conduit to operate at elevated temperatures for optimal power output

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If maintenance is performed to remove coke deposits, then fluid flow is restored, but the process is costly and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid flow continuityVSAvoidmaintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The conduit performs its own maintenance through the self-cleaning mechanism. Thermal cycling automatically activates the mesh sleeve to break up deposits, and fluid flow naturally removes the debris, eliminating the need for scheduled maintenance shutdowns and reducing both time and cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The self-cleaning mechanism operates continuously throughout normal conduit operation. Rather than requiring periodic maintenance interruptions, the mesh sleeve continuously breaks up deposits as they form, maintaining uninterrupted fluid flow and eliminating maintenance downtime

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 self-cleaning effect prevents coke buildup, maintains fluid flow, and reduces the need for costly and time-consuming maintenance, thereby enhancing the operational efficiency and reliability of gas turbine engines.

Implementation Method 1

The mesh sleeve is configured to change in length, breaking up the deposits that have formed on the interior surface of the hydrocarbon fluid conduit... the mesh sleeve changes length or moves along the conduit's interior surface due to thermal cycling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal cycling: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

a mesh sleeve made of shape memory alloy or bimetallic materials

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape memory alloy effect: Shape Memory Alloy

Implementation Method 3

a mesh sleeve made of shape memory alloy or bimetallic materials

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBimetallic effect: Bi-Metallic Strip

Data Source

PatentUS12311330B2Self-cleaning conduits for hydrocarbon fluids

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

A self-cleaning conduit for a hydrocarbon fluid. The conduit includes a tube and a mesh. The tube has an interior surface defining a flow passage for the hydrocarbon fluid. The mesh is positioned within the flow passage to abut the interior surface and movable along the interior surface to break-up deposits on the interior surface. The mesh is characterized by a mesh activation parameter (MAP) from one ten thousandths to six tenths.