Solenoid Fuel Valve Cooling Layout for High-Temperature Turbomachines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional turbomachine fuel control systems do not utilize electronic fuel valves due to thermal regulation challenges, as existing solutions have not effectively addressed the need for thermally regulating electronic fuel valves in high-temperature environments.
Innovation Solution
A fluid valve design for turbomachines that includes a solenoid with a thermal regulation portion around its circumference, a valve casing with thermal isolation pockets, and an orientation feature to ensure fluid flows around the solenoid before entering the valve chamber, allowing for electronic fuel metering while maintaining thermal stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a solenoid is used for electronic fuel metering in high-temperature locations, then fuel control precision is improved, but the solenoid temperature becomes unregulated leading to reliability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid circuit is segmented into multiple pathways: a first fluid pathway that bypasses the solenoid and a second fluid pathway that flows around the solenoid. This segmentation allows the cooling fluid to specifically target the solenoid region without disrupting the main fuel flow path, thereby regulating solenoid temperature while maintaining fuel control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
A cooling fluid is introduced as an intermediary substance between the solenoid and the high-temperature environment. The cooling fluid absorbs excess heat from the solenoid through the second fluid pathway, acting as a thermal mediator that protects the solenoid from overheating while allowing the solenoid to continue its precise fuel metering function.
2Temperature
If a cooling fluid pathway is added around the solenoid, then solenoid temperature regulation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling fluid pathway is integrated into the existing fuel circuit system, allowing the fluid circuit to serve dual functions: fuel delivery and solenoid cooling. The same fluid infrastructure that delivers fuel is also utilized to provide thermal regulation, eliminating the need for a completely separate cooling system and thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling function is merged with the fuel delivery system by incorporating the second fluid pathway into the existing circuit architecture. The cooling pathway is combined with the fuel pathways such that a single fluid circuit performs both fuel metering and thermal regulation functions, simplifying the overall device structure compared to having separate independent systems.
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
Enables the integration of electronic fuel valves in turbomachines by thermally regulating the solenoid, ensuring reliable fluid flow management and metering in high-temperature conditions, thus enhancing fuel control systems.
Implementation Method 1
a solenoid including a solenoid casing. The solenoid is disposed between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet. The solenoid is configured to move a valve member between a closed position, at least one partially open position (e.g., any number of suitable positions), and a fully open position to selectively meter fluid flow through the fluid circuit
Implementation Method 2
The thermal regulation portion of the fluid circuit can be defined around at least a portion of the circumference of the solenoid to thermally regulate the solenoid. The solenoid casing can include a blocking feature protruding therefrom and contacting the inner wall of the valve casing adjacent to the fluid inlet such that the fluid flows around the solenoid before entering a valve chamber housing the valve member
Implementation Method 3
The valve can include at least one thermal isolation pocket defined between a valve casing and an internal valve component. The at least one thermal isolation pocket can be defined downstream of the valve member
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid valve use in a turbomachine in a high temperature location includes a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a fluid circuit defined between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, and a solenoid including a solenoid casing. The solenoid is disposed between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet. The solenoid is configured to move a valve member between a closed position, at least one partially open position (e.g., any number of suitable positions), and a fully open position to selectively meter fluid flow through the fluid circuit. The fluid valve can include a valve casing, wherein the solenoid and valve member are disposed in the valve casing.