Starter Valve Assembly With Servo-Pneumatic Airflow Regulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional shutoff valves in gas turbine engines experience rapid wear during thermal stabilization and cooling cycles, leading to frequent maintenance and replacement, and existing pressure regulating valves are not efficient in controlling airflow for engine starting.
Innovation Solution
A starter valve system featuring a butterfly flow control valve actuated by a torque motor servo-valve, which receives bleed air and provides pneumatic control for over-torque protection, allowing for precise regulation of airflow and engine speed, eliminating the need for solenoids and reducing maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional shutoff valve is used to control airflow to the air turbine starter, then the valve can regulate flow, but the valve experiences rapid wear leading to frequent maintenance and replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical shutoff valve with an electric motor-driven valve assembly. The electric motor provides precise control of the valve position without the mechanical wear associated with traditional shutoff valves, thereby improving reliability and extending maintenance intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a pneumatic control system with a regulator valve that controls pneumatic pressure to the actuator. This pneumatic system enables smooth, controlled valve movement and positioning, reducing mechanical impact and wear while improving overall system reliability.
2Productivity
If existing pressure regulating valves are used for engine starting, then airflow can be controlled, but the valves are not efficient in controlling airflow for engine starting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamically controllable valve system where the electric motor can adjust the valve position continuously and precisely during engine starting. This dynamic control allows optimization of airflow at different stages of engine start-up, improving starting efficiency and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback control through the pneumatic regulator system that monitors and adjusts pneumatic pressure to the actuator based on engine starting conditions. This feedback mechanism enables precise airflow control, improving both productivity and ease of operation during engine starting.
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 reduces engine maintenance by uniformly distributing temperature and preventing rotor bowing during start-up and shutdown, offering reliable and efficient engine starting with reduced wear and tear on valve components.
Implementation Method 1
A pneumatic control is in communication with the actuator and configured to provide pressure regulation and prevent over torque
Implementation Method 2
The pneumatic control is configured to provide pressure regulation and prevent over torque
Implementation Method 3
the flow control valve is configured to meter a flow of fluid to an engine starter
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A turbine engine system includes an engine starter coupled to a turbine engine. A starter valve assembly (108) is configured to provide a flow of fluid to the engine starter. The starter valve assembly has a flow control valve (114) movable via an actuator. A pneumatic control (117) is in communication with the actuator. A torque motor servo-valve (118) is in communication with the actuator.