Variable-Speed Fuel Pump Drive for Low-Recirculation Turbine Fueling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engines face inefficiencies in fuel delivery systems, leading to excess fuel recirculation, increased fuel temperature, and reduced capacity to absorb heat from other engine systems, which can degrade performance and create deposits.
Innovation Solution
A variable speed fuel pump system driven by a transmission system, including a hydraulic drive and continuously variable transmission, controls fuel flow to match engine demand, reducing excess recirculation and enhancing heat absorption capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical pump is used to supply fuel in proportion to engine speed, then sufficient fuel is provided for high power conditions and engine starting, but excess fuel must be recirculated which increases fuel temperature and reduces heat absorption capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a variable speed drive system that dynamically adjusts the fuel pump speed based on actual engine demand rather than running at fixed speed proportional to engine RPM. This allows the pump to deliver precise fuel quantities without excess recirculation, thereby maintaining lower fuel temperatures while ensuring sufficient fuel supply for all operating conditions including high power and starting.
2Device complexity
If a mechanical link directly drives the fuel pump from the engine shaft, then the system is simple and reliable, but the fuel pump speed is directly coupled to engine speed causing excess fuel delivery at high speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a variable speed drive system as an intermediary between the engine shaft and the fuel pump. This mediator decouples the direct speed coupling, allowing the fuel pump to receive power from the engine while independently controlling its rotational speed based on actual fuel demand. This resolves the contradiction by enabling efficient fuel delivery without excessive recirculation while maintaining system reliability.
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 optimizes fuel delivery to match engine demand, reducing recirculation and temperature, thereby improving engine performance and heat management.
Implementation Method 1
the transmission system comprises a hydraulic drive driven by the mechanical link
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger is included for transferring heat into a fuel flow generated by the fuel pump
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel system for a gas turbine engine includes a fuel pump to provide fuel flow during engine operation and a transmission system that includes an output shaft coupled to drive the fuel pump, and an input shaft driven through a mechanical link to a shaft of the gas turbine engine. The output shaft drives the fuel pump at a variable speed that is independent of a rotational speed of the input shaft.