Starter Injector Purge Circuit Clogging Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel supply systems for aircraft turbomachines face clogging issues in the starter and purge circuits, leading to potential downtime despite existing purging methods, as coking can still occur and result in partial or total clogging.
Innovation Solution
A fuel supply system with a pressure representative value measuring means to detect clogging by measuring pressure between the starter injector and hydraulic resistance during purge air flow, allowing for early detection and maintenance before turbomachine downtime, and including a monitoring device to compare pressure values with thresholds to signal clogging information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reverse purge is used to clear fuel from the starter circuit, then fuel stagnation is reduced, but coking still occurs and clogging happens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring pressure during the purge operation to detect clogging trends before they cause actual coking and system failure. The pressure measurement provides early warning, allowing maintenance to be performed before the harmful coking process completes and causes reliability issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring pressure in the starter circuit during purge operations and comparing it against reference values. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect deviations indicating clogging progression and trigger appropriate maintenance actions, creating a closed-loop system that prevents coking-related failures.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If pressure measurement is added to monitor clogging, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a pressure sensor that serves multiple functions: it measures pressure during normal operation, monitors purge effectiveness, detects clogging trends, and provides diagnostic information. This multi-functional approach improves detection capability without adding dedicated specialized equipment for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by utilizing the existing purge system's pressure characteristics to detect clogging. The same purge air flow that is intended to clean the system also provides the pressure signal needed for detection, eliminating the need for separate diagnostic equipment and reducing overall system complexity.
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 early detection and prevention of clogging in the fuel supply system, reducing the risk of turbomachine downtime by signaling maintenance needs before significant issues arise, thus ensuring continuous operation.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure representative value measuring means configured to measure a pressure representative value between the starter injector and the first hydraulic resistance, during a purge air flow between the starter injector and the first hydraulic resistance
Implementation Method 2
The fuel present in the injector and the pipings is thus purged because of the pressure difference between pressurised air from the compressor outlet and air at atmospheric pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel supply system for a turbomachine. The supply system includes a starter circuit, at least one first hydraulic resistance and a purge circuit. The purge circuit includes a duct including an opening at the exterior of the supply system. The purge circuit is configured to make purge air flow between a starter injector and the opening through the first hydraulic resistance. The supply system includes a device for measuring a value representative of pressure, which devices are configured to measure a value representative of pressure between the starter injector and the first hydraulic resistance when purge air flows between the starter injector and the first hydraulic resistance.