Staged Cooling Flow Nozzle Valve for Turbine Fuel Split

Solution Overview

Problem

Contemporary turbine engines face complexity, weight, and cost issues with dual valve assemblies for controlling fuel flow between primary and secondary tips, which lack variable flow split capability, leading to fuel stagnation and coking problems.

Innovation Solution

A single-stage control valve system with a valve member arrangement that allows for variable fuel flow split between primary and secondary tips, preventing fuel stagnation by enabling pass-through cooling flow, reducing complexity and weight while providing adjustable flow control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dual valve assemblies are used to control fuel flow, then cooling flow is provided to prevent fuel stagnation, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel stagnation preventionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two separate control valve assemblies into a single integrated valve assembly that controls both primary and secondary tip fuel flows. The single assembly includes a body with internal passages that route fuel to both tips, eliminating the need for separate valve bodies and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to provide cooling flow to prevent fuel stagnation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single valve assembly performs multiple functions: it controls fuel flow to the primary tip, controls fuel flow to the secondary tip, and provides cooling flow through the secondary manifold to prevent fuel stagnation. This multi-functional design replaces the need for separate specialized valves while maintaining all required control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If dual valve assemblies are used to control fuel flow, then cooling flow is provided to prevent fuel stagnation, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel stagnation preventionVSAvoidcontrol valve weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two separate control valve assemblies into a single integrated valve assembly that controls both primary and secondary tip fuel flows. The single assembly includes a body with internal passages that route fuel to both tips, eliminating the need for separate valve bodies and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to provide cooling flow to prevent fuel stagnation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If dual valve assemblies are used to control fuel flow, then cooling flow is provided to prevent fuel stagnation, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel stagnation preventionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two separate control valve assemblies into a single integrated valve assembly that controls both primary and secondary tip fuel flows. The single assembly includes a body with internal passages that route fuel to both tips, eliminating the need for separate valve bodies and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to provide cooling flow to prevent fuel stagnation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Device complexity

If dual valve assemblies are used to control fuel flow, then discrete flow split levels are provided, but variable flow split capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol structureVSAvoidvariable flow split capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates adjustable flow control valves at each tip outlet that enable continuous variable flow split between primary and secondary tips. The adjustment mechanisms allow operators to dynamically modify the proportion of fuel directed to each tip based on operating conditions, transforming the discrete flow control of fixed orifices into a dynamic, continuously adjustable system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution enables low-complexity, low-weight, and low-cost control of fuel flow with variable split capabilities, preventing fuel stagnation and coking, thereby improving combustion efficiency and reducing operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

A first valve member is movable to selectively open and close a passage between the inlet flow path and the secondary flow path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectValve: Valve

Implementation Method 2

A second valve member is movable to selectively open and close a passage between the inlet flow path and the primary flow path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectValve: Valve

Data Source

PatentUS10907824B2Staged cooling flow nozzle valve

Publication Date: 2021.02.02 WOODWARD INC

AI summary

A fuel split control arrangement is provided. The arrangement includes a staged cooling flow control valve and cooling check valve. The staged cooling flow control valve and cooling check valve is connected between the primary and secondary tips of a nozzle in a turbine engine. The staged cooling flow control valve and cooling check valve includes a valve member arrangement operable to prevent fuel flow from the secondary fuel supply manifold to the secondary tip and simultaneously allow fuel flow from the secondary fuel supply manifold to the primary tip such that the primary tip receives fuel flow from both the secondary fuel supply manifold and the primary fuel supply manifold.