Steam Injector Assembly for Turbine Combustor Flow Modulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for recovering and utilizing steam from combustion products in gas turbine engines are inefficient and require improvement.

Innovation Solution

A turbine engine design that incorporates a steam injection system to modulate fluid flow within the combustion chamber, using steam to enhance the flow of compressed air and fuel through Venturi pumps, thereby optimizing combustion efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If steam is injected into the combustion chamber to modulate fluid flow, then combustion efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombustion efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the steam injection system with the existing fuel injection system by integrating steam injectors into the fuel injector assembly. The steam injection ports are incorporated into the fuel injector body, allowing both fuel and steam to be delivered through the same structural platform. This merging approach enables fluid flow modulation while avoiding the complexity of a completely separate steam delivery system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fuel injector assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: traditional fuel injection and steam injection for flow modulation. By making the injector system universal, the patent eliminates the need for separate dedicated steam injection hardware, thereby improving combustion efficiency through steam while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If steam flow is increased to control air and fuel intake, then combustion efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombustion efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The steam injection system utilizes steam that is already present in the combustion chamber from combustion products, rather than requiring external steam generation. The system self-regulates by using the existing thermal energy and water vapor in the exhaust stream, modulating it through injection back into the combustion chamber. This self-service approach improves combustion efficiency while minimizing additional energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent recovers water vapor from the combustion exhaust products and reinjects it as steam into the combustion chamber. Instead of discarding the water vapor as waste heat, the system recovers it and uses it for flow modulation, thereby improving combustion efficiency without the energy cost of external steam generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Productivity

If steam injection system is added to modulate fluid flow, then engine performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine performanceVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The steam injection components are merged with the existing fuel injector manufacturing processes. The injector body incorporates both fuel injection ports and steam injection ports, allowing both systems to be manufactured as an integrated assembly using similar casting, machining, and assembly techniques. This merging strategy improves engine performance while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Productivity

If multiple fluid injectors are used to control flow modulation, then combustion efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombustion efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid injection system is segmented into multiple functional zones within the injector assembly: fuel injection ports, steam injection ports, and flow modulation channels. This segmentation allows precise control of different fluids through dedicated pathways while maintaining a compact integrated structure, thereby improving combustion efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enhances combustion efficiency by regulating steam flow to control air and fuel intake, improving engine performance during various operational conditions.

Implementation Method 1

using steam to enhance the flow of compressed air and fuel through Venturi pumps

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4431809B1Modulating fluid flow within a turbine engine using steam

Publication Date: 2026.04.15 RTX CORP

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AI summary

An assembly is provided for a turbine engine (20) includes a combustor (62) and an injection system (104). The combustor (62) includes a combustion chamber (60). The injection system (104) includes an injector (70). The injection system (104) is configured to direct fluid and steam into the combustion chamber (60) through the injector (70). The injection system (104) is configured to modulate a flow of the fluid into the combustion chamber (60) through the injector (70) by regulating a flow of the steam into the combustion chamber (60) through the injector (70).