Variable Fuel Injector Manifold for Cold-Start Atomization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fuel injector manifolds in turbine engines provide a fixed fuel flow, which results in low delta pressure during engine startup and cold conditions, leading to difficulty in atomizing fuel and air mixture, especially with high viscosity fuels, making ignition challenging.
Innovation Solution
A variable fuel flow system with pistons and actuation mechanisms that adjust the orifice area of fuel injectors, creating a higher delta pressure for improved atomization and mixing of fuel and air, using passive or active actuation mechanisms to move pistons within the fuel manifold ring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed fuel flow system is used, then the structure is simple, but the delta pressure is low during engine startup and cold conditions, making fuel atomization difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by replacing the fixed fuel flow system with a variable fuel flow system that can adapt to different operating conditions. The variable orifice area allows the system to dynamically adjust fuel flow characteristics, creating higher delta pressure during startup and cold conditions while maintaining simplicity through integrated piston mechanisms within the fuel manifold ring.
2Stress or pressure
If a variable fuel flow system with pistons is used, then the delta pressure is high for improved atomization, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the piston mechanisms directly into the fuel manifold ring structure, combining multiple functions into a single integrated component. This reduces overall device complexity by eliminating separate piston housings and mounting structures, while still achieving the variable orifice area needed for high delta pressure and improved fuel atomization.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel manifold ring serves multiple functions: it distributes fuel to injectors, houses piston mechanisms for flow control, and acts as a structural mounting component. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the variable fuel flow capability for high delta pressure.
3Ease of manufacture
If a fixed orifice area is used, then the manufacturing is simple, but the fuel atomization is poor with high viscosity fuels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic orifice area adjustment through piston displacement, allowing the system to optimize fuel atomization for different fuel viscosities and operating conditions. During startup and cold conditions, the variable orifice creates higher delta pressure that improves atomization of high viscosity fuels, while the manufacturing remains relatively simple using standard piston and orifice fabrication methods.
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 atomization and ignition capability, improving sub-idle efficiency and reducing smoke generation, especially with cold fuels or high viscosity fuels, by maintaining high delta pressure across fuel injectors.
Implementation Method 1
creating a higher delta pressure for improved atomization and mixing of fuel and air
Implementation Method 2
improved atomization and mixing of fuel and air
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel injector manifold for a turbine engine includes a fuel manifold ring, a plurality of fuel injectors, and a variable fuel flow system. The fuel manifold flowpath within the fuel manifold ring, the fuel manifold flowpath receiving fuel therein. The plurality of fuel injectors in fluid communication with the fuel manifold flowpath, each of the plurality of fuel injectors having one or more fuel injector flowpaths. The variable fuel flow system disposed within the fuel manifold flowpath, the variable fuel flow system including a closed state, a partially opened state, and a fully opened state to vary a flow of the fuel from the fuel manifold flowpath to the one or more fuel injector flowpaths of each of the plurality of fuel injectors.