Triple-Seal Hydrogen Fuel Coupling for Gas Turbine Leak Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face challenges in sealing hydrogen fuel due to its gaseous state and small molecule size, which differs from traditional kerosene-based jet fuels, leading to potential leakage issues in fuel systems designed for liquid fuels.
Innovation Solution
A triple seal interface is introduced for the fuel system, comprising a female and male joint portion with three independent seals: a face-to-face contact seal, an axially compressed gasket seal, and a sealant ring seal, providing multiple failure modes to ensure effective sealing of hydrogen fuel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard sealing methods designed for liquid jet fuel are used, then the fuel system can be simple and easy to manufacture, but hydrogen gas leakage occurs due to the small molecule size of hydrogen
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing interface is divided into three independent seal elements (first seal, second seal, third seal) arranged in series. Each seal provides a separate sealing mechanism, so that if one seal fails to prevent hydrogen leakage, the other seals remain functional. This segmentation approach directly addresses the technical contradiction by improving reliability through multiple independent sealing barriers while maintaining a structured but manageable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements redundant sealing capabilities in advance by providing three sequential seal elements before any leakage can occur. This prior cushioning ensures that even if one seal degrades or fails under operational conditions, the remaining seals continue to prevent hydrogen gas leakage, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex active monitoring or control systems.
2Reliability
If multiple independent seals are implemented, then hydrogen leakage is prevented through multiple failure modes, but the seal structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into three distinct seal elements with different sealing mechanisms (first seal, second seal, third seal). Each seal is designed to address specific failure modes independently, improving reliability through diversity of sealing approaches while organizing the complexity into manageable, functionally distinct components.
Solution Approach 2:
Each seal element is positioned at a specific location within the coupling interface and designed with local quality characteristics suited to its function. The first seal, second seal, and third seal each have optimized properties for their specific sealing location and failure mode, allowing the overall system to achieve high reliability without requiring uniform complexity throughout the entire structure.
3Reliability
If a triple seal interface is used for hydrogen fuel, then adequate sealing is achieved against hydrogen gas leakage, but the coupling design becomes more complex compared to traditional single-seal designs
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling sealing system is segmented into three independent seal elements arranged in series between the first component and second component. This segmentation provides multiple independent barriers against hydrogen gas leakage, improving reliability while organizing the complexity into distinct, functionally separable seal components that can be analyzed and maintained independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The triple seal interface implements redundant sealing capabilities in advance, providing three sequential barriers before any hydrogen leakage can occur. This prior cushioning approach ensures that even if one or two seals fail under operational conditions, the remaining seal(s) continue to prevent hydrogen gas escape, thereby achieving adequate sealing reliability without requiring complex active control systems.
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 triple seal interface effectively prevents hydrogen leakage, accommodating the unique properties of hydrogen fuel and ensuring reliable operation in gas turbine engines.
Implementation Method 1
the first seal is formed by face-to-face abutting contact between a first axially-facing surface of the male joint portion and an axially-facing surface of the female joint portion
Implementation Method 2
the second seal is formed by a gasket axially compressed between the first axially-facing surface of the male joint portion and the female joint portion
Implementation Method 3
the third seal is formed by a sealant ring disposed between a second axially-facing surface of the male joint portion and an adjacent surface of the female joint portion
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-seal coupling for fluidly interconnecting a first component and a second component within a hydrogen fuel supply system of a gas turbine engine includes a female joint portion and a male joint portion. A first seal, a second seal and a third seal, all of which are hydrogen fuel seals, are formed between the male joint portion and the female joint portion. The first seal is formed by face-to-face abutting contact between a first axially-facing surface of the male joint portion and an axially-facing surface of the female joint portion. The second seal is formed by a gasket axially compressed between the first axially-facing surface of the male joint portion and the female joint portion. The third seal is formed by a sealant ring disposed between a second axially-facing surface of the male joint portion and an adjacent surface of the female joint portion.