Tesla Valve Fluid Pump for Hydrogen Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies are not suitable for efficiently facilitating hydrogen combustion in aero gas turbine engines due to size constraints and stability issues during transient maneuvers, limiting the practicality of hydrogen fuel use in civil airliners.
Innovation Solution
A fluid pump system utilizing Tesla valves and a piston mechanism to efficiently pump and deliver cryogenic hydrogen fuel, ensuring stable operation and efficient fluid flow, which can be integrated into a fuel delivery system for hydrogen-fueled turbofan engines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large-volume series staged dry low NOx burners are used for hydrogen combustion, then hydrogen fuel combustion is achieved, but the engine size becomes too large and stable operation during transient maneuvers cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is divided into multiple chambers (first chamber and second chamber) that operate in sequence, with each chamber having its own piston, Tesla valve, and outlet valve. This segmentation allows for compact packaging while maintaining efficient hydrogen fuel delivery capability, resolving the contradiction between small size and reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump employs dynamically actuated outlet valves that are opened by fluid pressure during the pumping cycle and closed by spring force during the return stroke. This dynamic valve operation enables the pump to maintain stable hydrogen fuel delivery during transient maneuvers while keeping the overall engine size compact.
2Reliability
If conventional pump structures are used, then simple design is achieved, but efficient hydrogen fuel delivery and stable operation cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet valves are actuated automatically by the fluid pressure generated during the piston's power stroke, eliminating the need for external actuators or complex control systems. The spring-loaded valves self-close during the return stroke, providing reliable hydrogen fuel delivery through a self-regulating mechanism that balances stability with controlled complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic or hydraulic valve control systems with a purely mechanical spring-loaded valve mechanism that responds to fluid pressure. This substitution maintains stable operation through mechanical reliability while avoiding the complexity of additional control systems.
3Productivity
If Tesla valves and outlet valves are added to the pump, then efficient unidirectional fluid flow and stable operation are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The Tesla valve and outlet valve are integrated into a unified valve assembly at each chamber outlet. The Tesla valve provides unidirectional flow guidance while the spring-loaded outlet valve provides pressure-controlled shut-off, combining two valve functions into a single integrated component structure that achieves efficient hydrogen fuel delivery without excessive 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 the stable and efficient delivery of hydrogen fuel to turbofan engines, addressing the challenges of size and stability, thereby facilitating hydrogen combustion in aero gas turbine installations.
Implementation Method 1
A first Tesla valve is in fluid communication with the first inlet (704)
Implementation Method 2
The outlet (707) comprises a spring-loaded outlet valve (710)
Implementation Method 3
stretches to open said outlet under the impact of expelled fluids
Implementation Method 4
A piston has a linear function actuated by a pair of coils energized alternately
Data Source
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AI summary
A fluid pump (301) comprises: a chamber (401) having an inlet (402) and an outlet (403), the outlet (403) comprising a non-return valve (404), the chamber (401) having a cavity (405) comprising a cylinder (406); a piston (407) slidably disposed within the cylinder (406); and a Tesla valve (408) in fluid communication with the inlet (402); wherein the fluid pump (301) is configured to pump fluid from the inlet (402) to the outlet (403) by reciprocation of the piston (407) within the cylinder (406).