Fuel Control Valve Integral With Injector Patents (Class 60/741)
  • Patent number: 11919028
    Abstract: A fluid atomizer and methods of atomizing fluids are disclosed. The fluid atomizer may comprise an inner member and one or more outer members. The inner member defines an interior conduit for providing a first-fluid flowpath from a supply end of the atomizer to a discharge end of the atomizer along a central axis. The one or more outer members are positioned radially outward of the inner member from the central axis. The inner and outer members define a second-fluid flowpath extending from a second-fluid supply conduit to a second-fluid discharge plenum. The second-fluid flowpath comprises a tangential conduit spiraling along the axis from the second-fluid supply conduit to a terminal end; an annulus downstream from and in fluid communication with the tangential conduit; and a second-fluid discharge plenum downstream from and in fluid communication with the annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignees: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION, ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Neal Thomson, Christopher Walters
  • Patent number: 11808455
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for a gas turbine engine. This assembly includes a combustor and a fuel conduit. The combustor includes a combustor wall that forms a peripheral boundary of a combustion chamber within the combustor. The fuel conduit extends along and is formed integral with the combustor wall. The fuel conduit is disposed outside of the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Binek, Timothy S. Snyder, Sean R. Jackson
  • Patent number: 11680549
    Abstract: A fluid injection system can include a main flow line, a primary flow line connected to the main flow line, a primary flow valve disposed on the primary flow line and configured to selectively allow injectant flow to the primary flow line, a secondary flow line connected to the main flow line, and a secondary flow valve disposed on the secondary flow line and configured to selectively allow injectant flow to the secondary flow line. The system can include a primary purge branch in fluid communication with the primary flow line and connected to a purge gas line, a primary purge valve disposed in the primary purge branch between the primary flow line and the purge gas line, a secondary purge branch in fluid communication with the secondary flow line, and a secondary purge valve disposed between the purge gas line and both of the primary purge branch and the secondary purge branch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Susca, Steve Doerner
  • Patent number: 11536456
    Abstract: A fuel and air injection handling system for a rotating detonation engine is provided. The system includes a compressor configured to compress air received via a compressor inlet and configured to output the air that is compressed as swirling, compressed air through a compressor outlet. The system also includes an annular rotating detonation combustor fluidly coupled with the compressor outlet. The annular rotating detonation combustor has a detonation cavity that extends around an annular axis, the annular rotating detonation combustor configured to combust the compressed air from the compressor in detonations that rotate within the detonation cavity around the annular axis of the annular rotating detonation combustor. The annular rotating detonation combustor is fluidly and directly coupled with the compressor outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Venkat Eswarlu Tangirala, Narendra Digamber Joshi
  • Patent number: 11454397
    Abstract: A fuel injector for an exhaust heater includes a cover and an air blast nozzle. The cover has a nozzle seat, a fuel inlet, and an air inlet, the nozzle seat arranged along a flow axis. The air blast nozzle is seated in the nozzle seat and has a unibody. The air blast nozzle unibody is in fluid communication with the fuel inlet and the air inlet arranged along the flow axis to port fuel and air into a combustion volume, e.g., to heat a stream of exhaust gas flowing between an engine and a catalytic reactor by combustion with fuel introduced through the fuel inlet and air introduced through the air inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Collins Engine Nozzles, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason A. Ryon, Steve J. Myers, Philip E. O. Buelow, Lev A. Prociw
  • Patent number: 11435082
    Abstract: A fuel supply device includes: an outer tubular member; an inner tubular member inside the outer tubular member; and a flow distribution portion on an inner surface of the outer tubular member or an outer surface of the inner tubular member, wherein the flow distribution portion includes first and second distribution wall portions arranged apart from one another in an axial direction of the inner tubular member, the first distribution wall portion includes first individual wall portions spaced apart from one another along a first circumference of the inner tubular member, the second distribution wall portion includes second individual wall portions spaced apart from one another along a second circumference of the inner tubular member, at least some of the first individual wall portions are arranged to face spaces between at least some of the second individual wall portions, respectively, in the axial direction of the inner tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: HANWHA AEROSPACE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ju Pyoung Kim, Sin Hyen Kim, Seung Chai Jung, Su Hyeong Cho
  • Patent number: 10989408
    Abstract: A component for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. In various embodiments, the component includes a diffuser ring, a combustor and a spring element connecting the diffuser ring to the combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence Binek, Evan Butcher, Matthew B. Kennedy, Vijay Narayan Jagdale, Jesse R. Boyer, Dmytro Mykolayovych Voytovych
  • Patent number: 10364751
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a feed arm with an inlet end and a nozzle body extending from the feed arm at an end opposite the inlet end. The nozzle body defines a prefilming chamber that opens into an annular outlet orifice for issuing a spray therefrom. A plurality of fuel circuits is defined from the inlet end of the feed arm to the prefilming chamber of the nozzle body. Each fuel circuit in the plurality of fuel circuits can include a single respective inlet opening at the inlet end of the feed arm, with a single respective conduit extending through the feed arm and nozzle body from the single respective inlet opening to a single respective outlet slot feeding into the prefilming chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Delavan Inc
    Inventors: Jason A. Ryon, Philip E. Buelow, Lev A. Prociw
  • Patent number: 9689313
    Abstract: A turbomachine injection manifold assembly including a main circuit for feeding fuel to sets of injectors, and an auxiliary circuit for feeding fuel to a set of injectors. The manifold assembly also includes a double coupling presenting a first endpiece receiving one end of a transfer tube of the main circuit, a second endpiece receiving one end of a transfer tube of the auxiliary circuit, and a mounting surface with a first orifice in fluid flow communication with the first endpiece and a second orifice in fluid flow communication with the second endpiece, the mounting surface of the double coupling being suitable for connecting the double coupling to an injector of said first set of injectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: TURBOMECA
    Inventors: Cedric Roger Zordan, Xavier Francez
  • Patent number: 9003802
    Abstract: A fuel injector device for an annular combustion chamber of a turbine engine, including a pilot circuit feeding an injector and a multipoint circuit feeding injection orifices formed in a front face of an annular ring mounted in an annular chamber, together with a thermal insulation mechanism insulating the front face and including an annular cavity formed around the injection orifices between the front face of the annular ring and a front wall of the annular chamber and configured to be filled in operation with air or with coked fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Didier Hippolyte Hernandez, Emilie Lachaud, Thomas Olivier Marie Noel
  • Patent number: 8991190
    Abstract: A method for transferring fuel includes flowing water to at least one nozzle of a main fuel circuit. Also included is flowing oil to the at least one nozzle of the main fuel circuit. Further included is flowing liquid fuel to the at least one nozzle of the main fuel circuit, wherein flowing water to the at least one nozzle of the main fuel circuit occurs prior to flowing oil to the at least one nozzle of the main fuel circuit and flowing liquid fuel to the at least one nozzle of the main fuel circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Hua Zhang, Douglas Frank Beadie, Gregory Allen Boardman, Geoffrey David Myers
  • Patent number: 8950425
    Abstract: A combined fuel and purge air valve for a turbine engine has an onboard residual fuel reservoir to relieve pressure transients in the fuel circuit during purge air mode operation. The fuel reservoir also operates to effectively seal the fuel circuit with fuel present in the valve chamber by venting any purge air that should happen to leak past the primary seals. A 3-way spool valve controls the transition between start-up and sustained fuel operation modes as well as the purge air operation mode. A movable shuttle controls the communication of the fuel circuit with the fuel reservoir and ensures that the fuel reservoir is open in the purge air mode and closed off in the fuel modes. Pilot air activates the shuttle and spool valve and fuel pressure provides biasing forces. Fuel is distributed through an array of outlet ports, and the valve is cooled by an integral coolant jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Jansen's Aircraft Systems Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Harvey B. Jansen
  • Patent number: 8938974
    Abstract: A method for determining the optimum inlet geometry of a liquid rocket engine swirl injector includes obtaining a throttleable level phase value, volume flow rate, chamber pressure, liquid propellant density, inlet injector pressure, desired target spray angle and desired target optimum delta pressure value between an inlet and a chamber for a plurality of engine stages. The method calculates the tangential inlet area for each throttleable stage. The method also uses correlation between the tangential inlet areas and delta pressure values to calculate the spring displacement and variable inlet geometry of a liquid rocket engine swirl injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Huu P. Trinh, W. Neill Myers
  • Patent number: 8820087
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling delivery of fuel to a dual stage nozzle in the combustor of a gas turbine. A liquid fuel is conveyed from a single stage fuel supply through a plurality of primary fuel supply lines to a first nozzle stage including a plurality of primary nozzles. A predetermined operating condition of the gas turbine is identified and a signal is produced in response to the identified operating condition. The signal effects actuation of valves located on secondary fuel supply lines extending from each of the primary fuel supply lines to supply fuel to respective secondary nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Ryan
  • Patent number: 8763362
    Abstract: A method for determining the optimum inlet geometry of a liquid rocket engine swirl injector includes obtaining a throttleable level phase value, volume flow rate, chamber pressure, liquid propellant density, inlet injector pressure, desired target spray angle and desired target optimum delta pressure value between an inlet and a chamber for a plurality of engine stages. The tangential inlet area for each throttleable stage is calculated. The correlation between the tangential inlet areas and delta pressure values is used to calculate the spring displacement and variable inlet geometry. An injector designed using the method includes a plurality of geometrically calculated tangential inlets in an injection tube; an injection tube cap with a plurality of inlet slots slidably engages the injection tube. A pressure differential across the injector element causes the cap to slide along the injection tube and variably align the inlet slots with the tangential inlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Huu P. Trinh, William Neill Myers
  • Patent number: 8752387
    Abstract: Fuel control arrangements for gas turbine engines generally comprise an injector and a fuel control valve. Typically the fuel control valve is controlled in terms of fuel demand through fuel pressure presented to the valve. Fuel demand may vary and in such circumstances stagnation of fuel adjacent to the valve may cause degradation of the fuel and therefore spurious operational performance. By providing a dedicated working fluid, and typically hydraulic, pressure to the valve a variable aperture port can be displaced to alter the fuel flow configuration within the valve. In such circumstances different fuel valve conditions can be generated by altering the available area of aperture in the port to divert or present fuel to the injector between and across first or primary fuel paths and second or pilot fuel paths as required. Thus more flexibility with regard to fuel presentation to the injector is achieved as well as consistency with respect to avoiding fuel degradation as fuel demand varies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Mark Scully
  • Publication number: 20140123654
    Abstract: A fuel metering valve system for use with a flow of fuel in a gas turbine engine may include a number of orifice plate lines, a number of differently sized orifice plates, and a number of orifice plate line valves. One of the orifice plate line valves opens and closes one of the orifice plates on the orifice plate lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANPY
    Inventors: Alan James Kemmerer, Michael Feinstein
  • Publication number: 20140083104
    Abstract: A stroke transmitter is presented. The stroke transmitter includes a conduit for providing a passage to a fluid, an actuating unit for increasing pressure in an hydraulic fluid, a valve unit configured to operate depending on the pressure of the hydraulic fluid, the valve unit arranged inside the conduit to regulate a flow of the fluid, and a pipe connecting the actuating unit and the valve unit for communicating the pressure of the hydraulic fluid between the actuating unit and the valve unit. The actuating unit is arranged outside the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventors: Georg Bachmaier, Michael Höge, Joachim Nordin
  • Publication number: 20140075950
    Abstract: A minimum pressure shut-off valve closes off fuel flow responsive fuel pressure being below a predefined pressure. A sleeve includes at least a first flow window and a second flow window. The second window includes a notch providing a flow area based on an axial position of a spool moveable within the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: David J. Podgorski, Peter M. Ballard
  • Patent number: 8661822
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a variable geometry resonator configured to couple to a fluid path upstream from a combustor of a turbine engine. The variable geometry resonator is configured to dampen pressure oscillations in the fluid path and the combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ilya Slobodyanskiy, John Lipinski, Shiva Srinivasan, Dmitry Tretyakov
  • Patent number: 8650880
    Abstract: An active combustion control device provides modulated fuel flow to the combustor of a turbine engine to mitigate combustion instability. The device includes a valve unit and an electronic valve driver controlling translation and rotation components in the valve unit that drive a metering member having a modulating end. The axial position and rotation of the end geometries relative to static flow ports inside the valve unit modulate the fuel flowing from the valve unit to the combustor atomizer. The amplitude and frequency of the modulated fuel flow match that of the instable combustor fuel flow and the phase is offset by 180 degrees so that the resultant fuel flow is at or near a stable state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Jansen's Aircraft Systems Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Harvey B. Jansen, Matthew C. Caspermeyer
  • Patent number: 8636263
    Abstract: A pressure actuated valve assembly includes a valve body. The downstream end portion of a main spring is engaged with a downstream end portion of the valve body and the main spring is axially aligned with the valve body. A main spring guide is engaged with an upstream end portion of the main spring proximate an upstream end portion of the valve body. The main spring guide is mounted for movement toward the downstream end portion of the valve body by compression of the main spring. A hold-down sleeve is engaged with the downstream end portion of the valve body and includes a stop structure proximate the main spring guide. The stop structure is configured to engage the main spring guide to maintain a predetermined minimum clearance between the main spring guide and the upstream end portion of the valve body with the valve body in the closed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Delavan Inc
    Inventors: Steven Scott Deaton, John David Canny
  • Publication number: 20140007584
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for reducing pressure oscillations within a gas turbine engine includes at least one fuel injector configured to inject fuel into a combustor. The system also includes a valve fluidly coupled to the at least one fuel injector. The system further includes a controller communicatively coupled to the valve. The controller is configured to cycle the valve between an open position and a closed position at a first frequency and a first duty cycle while a magnitude of pressure oscillations within the combustor is less than a threshold value, to cycle the valve between the open position and the closed position at a second frequency and a second duty cycle while the magnitude of the pressure oscillations within the combustor is greater than or equal to the threshold value, and to adjust the second frequency based on a measured frequency of the pressure oscillations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Zekai Hong, Joel Meier Haynes, Keith Robert McManus, John Thomas Herbon
  • Patent number: 8511091
    Abstract: A swirler is provided for a fuel injector of a combustor of a gas turbine engine. The swirler is for directing an airflow into the combustor so as to atomize fuel exiting the fuel injector. The swirler has one or more passages for channelling the airflow. Each of the passages is configured to rotate the airflow channelled by that passage about a swirl axis of the swirler, such that on exiting the passage the airflow has an exit swirl angle and a direction of rotation relative to the swirl axis. The swirler is configured such that the exit swirl angle and/or the direction of rotation may be selectively varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Martin S. Goodwin
  • Publication number: 20130098054
    Abstract: In a method for operating a gas turbine (10), a CO2-containing gas is compressed in a compressor (13), the compressed gas is used to burn a fuel in at least one subsequent combustion chamber (14, 18), and the hot combustion gases are used to drive at least one turbine (17, 21). Improved control and performance can be achieved by measuring the species concentration of the gas mixture flowing through the gas turbine (10) at several points within the gas turbine (10) by a distributed plurality of species concentration sensors (22; 22a-1; 23), and utilizing the measured concentration values to control the gas turbine (10) and/or optimize the combustion performance of the gas turbine (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventor: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8393891
    Abstract: A combustion nozzle for use in a turbine. The combustion nozzle may include a center body and a cone extending from the center body. The cone may include a number of apertures positioned therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory Allen Boardman, Thomas Edward Johnson
  • Patent number: 8393156
    Abstract: A variable performance valve for use in a fuel nozzle is presented. The valve includes a spring, an inner spool having a port, an outer sleeve, and an orifice, which in a fuel nozzle application may be a calibration orifice. In a low flow condition, the inlet to downstream pressure is the spring force divided by the area on which the pressure acts. At low flow the orifice does not cause any appreciable pressure drop. As the flow increases, a pressure drop develops across the orifice. Since the pressure drop across the valve cannot be greater than the spring force divided by valve area, the valve is forced to open to compensate. As flow is increased, the valve will stroke completely open and the pressure drop at the port becomes negligible and the pressure drop across the orifice is nearly 100% of the pressure drop across the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Niemeyer, Charlie Carson
  • Patent number: 8291708
    Abstract: A dual fuel nozzle of a gas turbine combustor with a variable jetting hole diameter is disclosed. The combustor includes a plurality of swirling wings disposed along an outer peripheral surface of a central shaft to have at least one main fuel jetting hole, an air duct positioned at the lower side of the swirling wings to supply air to the swirling wings, a pilot fuel injection hole and jetting hole formed to pass through a central portion of the central shaft to supply a pilot fuel, a switching plate disposed inside the swirling wings to vary the size of the main fuel jetting hole, a driving unit disposed to be connected to the switching plate to move a position of the switching plate, and a casing containing the swirling wings, the air duct, the switching plate and the driving unit. It is possible to enhance fuel flexibility in a multiple fuel system for applying two or more fuels to a gas turbine at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Korea Electric Power Corporation
    Inventors: Min-Chul Lee, Jae-Hwa Chung, Seok-Bin Seo, Yong-Jin Joo, Jong-Jin Kim, Dal-Hong Ahn
  • Patent number: 8291707
    Abstract: A multi-stage check valve includes a valve housing defining an internal valve chamber. A main valve member within the valve chamber of the valve housing has an internal valve chamber. In the first position thereof the main valve member blocks fuel below a predetermined main pressure from flowing through a main fuel path. In the second position thereof the main valve member is displaced to allow fuel above the predetermined main pressure to flow through the main fuel path. The multi-stage check valve also includes a pilot valve member within the valve chamber of the main valve member. In the first position thereof, the pilot valve member blocks fuel below a predetermined pilot pressure from flowing through a pilot fuel path. In the second position thereof, the pilot valve member is displaced to allow fuel above the predetermined pilot pressure to flow through the pilot fuel path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Delavan Inc
    Inventors: Brandon P. Williams, Nathan J. James
  • Patent number: 8276388
    Abstract: An annular expansion ring centered on a main axis and suitable for being mounted on a fuel injector coaxial with the ring is disclosed. The ring presents holes that are distributed around the main axis and open out into its upstream face to enable air to pass towards the zone that is downstream from the ring. The ring includes a conical annular groove that converges downstream, that is open downstream, and that has the holes opening out into the upstream portion thereof. The axis of each of the holes makes an angle relative to the main axis that is strictly greater than the angle between the generator line of the cone defining the annular groove and the main axis, such that the air exiting from the holes impacts against the inner wall of the annular groove, i.e. its wall that is closer to the main axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Snecma
    Inventors: Alain Cayre, Christophe Pieussergues, Jackie Raymond Julien Prouteau, Denis Jean Maurice Sandelis
  • Patent number: 8261554
    Abstract: A system, in one embodiment, includes a fuel nozzle tip retainer that includes a structural member having a geometry that blocks a tip insert from moving axially downstream of a fuel nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Donald Mark Bailey, Scott R. Simmons
  • Patent number: 8096135
    Abstract: An air blast fuel injector for a gas turbine engine includes an elongate feed arm having an inlet fitting for receiving fuel and for distributing the fuel to first and second fuel delivery conduits extending through the feed arm. A nozzle body is operatively connected to the feed arm. The nozzle body includes an on-axis inner air circuit and fuel circuitry radially outboard of the inner air circuit for delivering fuel to a fuel swirler outboard of the inner air circuit. The fuel circuitry includes a first fuel circuit configured and adapted to deliver fuel to the fuel swirler from the first fuel conduit of the feed arm and a second fuel circuit configured and adapted to deliver fuel to the fuel swirler from the second fuel conduit of the feed arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Dela Van Inc
    Inventor: Mark A. Caples
  • Patent number: 8047002
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an annular combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine comprising a casing with at least one air tapping outlet situated at the chamber inlet, a fuel supply device with a plurality of fuel injectors in the chamber distributed annularly of which at least one is situated close to said tapping outlet. The chamber is characterized in that the fuel supply device comprises a means for reducing the fuel flow rate in said injector situated close to the tapping outlet relative to the other fuel injectors. Thanks to the invention, the hot spots downstream of the combustion chamber caused by the tappings are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Christophe Pieussergues, Denis Jean Maurice Sandelis
  • Publication number: 20110107768
    Abstract: A variable performance valve for use in a fuel nozzle is presented. The valve includes a spring, an inner spool having a port, an outer sleeve, and an orifice, which in a fuel nozzle application may be a calibration orifice. In a low flow condition, the inlet to downstream pressure is the spring force divided by the area on which the pressure acts. At low flow the orifice does not cause any appreciable pressure drop. As the flow increases, a pressure drop develops across the orifice. Since the pressure drop across the valve cannot be greater than the spring force divided by valve area, the valve is forced to open to compensate. As flow is increased, the valve will stroke completely open and the pressure drop at the port becomes negligible and the pressure drop across the orifice is nearly 100% of the pressure drop across the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: WOODWARD GOVERNOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Nathan Niemeyer, Charlie Carson
  • Patent number: 7891192
    Abstract: A combustor assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a combustor endcover having at least one fuel circuit and mounted thereto a plurality of pre-mixers and at least one control valve. The at least one control valve is fluidly connected to the at least one fuel circuit and operatively connected to a controller. The controller selectively operates the at least one control valve to deliver fuel through the at least one fuel circuit to the plurality of pre-mixers in order to achieve an enhanced level of operational flexibility by providing individual combustion chamber control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Geoffrey David Myers, Lewis Berkley Davis, Jr., Joseph Citeno
  • Publication number: 20100058770
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling delivery of fuel to a dual stage nozzle in the combustor of a gas turbine. A liquid fuel is conveyed from a single stage fuel supply through a plurality of primary fuel supply lines to a first nozzle stage including a plurality of primary nozzles. A predetermined operating condition of the gas turbine is identified and a signal is produced in response to the identified operating condition. The signal effects actuation of valves located on secondary fuel supply lines extending from each of the primary fuel supply lines to supply fuel to respective secondary nozzles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Ryan
  • Publication number: 20100037615
    Abstract: A multi-stage check valve includes a valve housing defining an internal valve chamber. A main valve member within the valve chamber of the valve housing has an internal valve chamber. In the first position thereof the main valve member blocks fuel below a predetermined main pressure from flowing through a main fuel path. In the second position thereof the main valve member is displaced to allow fuel above the predetermined main pressure to flow through the main fuel path. The multi-stage check valve also includes a pilot valve member within the valve chamber of the main valve member. In the first position thereof, the pilot valve member blocks fuel below a predetermined pilot pressure from flowing through a pilot fuel path. In the second position thereof, the pilot valve member is displaced to allow fuel above the predetermined pilot pressure to flow through the pilot fuel path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: Delavan Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon P. Williams, Nathan J. James
  • Publication number: 20090293492
    Abstract: A fuel valve for a turbine engine, the valve has a fuel inlet connected to a supply of fuel and a purge inlet connected to a supply of purge air. Opening and closing apparatus within the valve selectively supplies air or fuel to a valve outlet. The opening and closing apparatus are movable in sequence from a first position where both the purge air and fuel to the outlet is disabled to a second position where the purge air is enabled and the fuel is disabled to a third position where the purge air is disabled and the fuel is enabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC.
    Inventor: LUCA TENTORIO
  • Publication number: 20090277185
    Abstract: Valve systems for controlling a flow of fuel in a gas turbine engine and related methods are provided. In one embodiment, the valve system includes a supply conduit, a proportional valve portion, and a pulsating valve portion. The supply conduit is adapted and configured for receiving and carrying a flow of fuel. The proportional valve portion is in fluid connection with the supply conduit adapted and configured to gradually adjust a pressure drop thereacross and thus a flow rate of fuel flowing therethrough. The pulsating valve portion is in fluid connection with the supply conduit, in parallel with the proportional valve portion, and is adapted and configured to rapidly adjust a pressure drop thereacross and thus a flow rate of fuel flowing therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Jerry L. Goeke, Brandon P. Williams
  • Publication number: 20090102203
    Abstract: The system and method described herein uses a hybrid pulsed detonation engine (PDE) system to drive a turbine that powers an electric generator. The combustion chamber of the PDE is shaped in a helical form, so that the external length of the section is reduced, while maintaining the distance for acceleration to detonation. This allows the achievement of deflagration to detonation transition without the help of turbulence enhancing obstacles, while keeping the overall size of the detonation tube small. The PDE output can be scaled by: increasing the cross sectional area of the detonation chamber; increasing the number of detonation tubes; and increasing the frequency of operation of the PDE. The replacement of conventional deflagrative internal combustion engines, including gas turbines and reciprocating engines, with pulsed detonation engines for electric power generation, may provide fuel savings and have a lower environmental impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Frank K. Lu, Philip K. Panicker, Donald R. Wilson, Wei-Hsiang Lai, Jiun-Ming Li
  • Publication number: 20090077973
    Abstract: A fuel system for a gas turbine engine comprises a set of starting fuel injectors that operate in a fuel pressurised atomisation mode to atomise fuel that flows therethrough during an ignition and a post-ignition phase and a set of main fuel injectors that operate in an air blast mode to atomise fuel that flows therethrough during the post-ignition phase and a high altitude ready to load phase and an air assist mode to control the pattern of fuel atomisation during a loaded phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xiaolan Hu, Daih-Yeou Chen, Ricardo Cabra, David L. Ripley
  • Patent number: 7114321
    Abstract: A thermal isolation device for a gas turbine combustor assembly includes a plurality of substantially flat plates secured in spaced relationship by a plurality of columns, at least one column incorporating a bolt hole for use in securing the device between a pair of combustor components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Keith Cletus Belsom, Michael Damian Seal
  • Patent number: 7036302
    Abstract: A multi-staged gas turbine engine fuel supply system includes a plurality of fuel injectors and at least first and second staged fuel injection circuits in each of the fuel injectors. Each of the first and second staged fuel injection circuits includes first and second fuel injection points and at least first and second fuel nozzle valves operable to open at different first and second crack open pressures and controllably connected to the first and second staged fuel injection circuits, respectively. A single fuel supply manifold is connected to all of the fuel nozzle valves. A single fuel signal manifold is controllably connected to all of the first and second fuel nozzle valves. The fuel injector may have a valve housing with one of the first fuel nozzle valves and one of the second fuel nozzle valves contained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William Joseph Myers Jr., Thomas Vander Ng, Alfred Albert Mancini, James Neil Cooper
  • Patent number: 6955040
    Abstract: A multi-staged gas turbine engine fuel supply fuel injector includes at least first and second staged fuel injection circuits having first and second fuel injection points. At least first and second fuel nozzle valves operable to open at different first and second crack open pressures are controllably connected to the first and second staged fuel injection circuits, respectively. A single fuel supply manifold is connected to all of the fuel nozzle valves. A single fuel signal manifold is controllably connected to all of the first and second fuel nozzle valves. The fuel injector includes a valve housing containing the fuel nozzle valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William Joseph Myers, Jr., Thomas Vander Ng, Alfred Albert Mancini, James Neil Cooper
  • Patent number: 6931831
    Abstract: A combination distributor purge valve unit for a turbine engine has a pilot air section, a fuel section, a distributor section and a purge air section. A spool moves along a spool axis to control flow through six sets of radially arranged removable fill nozzles and fixed outlet orifices in the distributor section. The spool moves from its initial position in which the distributor outlets are in communication with the inlet to the purge air section and closed off from the inlet to the fuel section so that high temperature purge air can forced passed the downstream side of the spool and into the nozzles in the combustion can of the turbine engine to eliminate coking in these areas. The spool moves against a biasing spring under the force of a pilot air driven actuator piston and the force of the pressurized fuel so that fuel can flow, initially through the fill nozzles and then the outlet orifices, to the combustion can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Jansen's Aircraft Systems Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Harvey B. Jansen
  • Patent number: 6901953
    Abstract: A fluid metering device including a metering valve capable of sliding in a bushing under fluid feed pressure in order to enable a fluid to be admitted and then ejected. The valve can have, at a first end, an opening opening out into a longitudinal fluid admission bore, and at a second end forming an end wall, a valve head provided with fluid metering slots opening out into the longitudinal bore and defining varying flow sections. The valve head can further include at least one substantially transverse orifice disposed downstream from the metering slots in the fluid flow direction, the orifice communicating with the longitudinal bore and defining at least one fixed flow section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Hispano-Suiza
    Inventors: Guy D'Agostino, Michel Hugues, Marion Michau, Alain Tiepel, José Rodrigues
  • Patent number: 6758043
    Abstract: A fuel injector for a turbomachine engine, the injector comprising an injector body having pressurized fuel admission means, a first valve mounted downstream from the pressurized fuel admission means and arranged to admit fuel into the injector body, a second valve mounted downstream from the first valve and capable of opening in order to meter at least a fraction of the fuel admitted into the injector body for utilization means for using the fuel, the metered fuel flow rate to the utilization means being a function of flow sections formed through the second valve, the injector further comprising a diaphragm placed between the pressurized fuel admission means and the first valve so as to set the rate at which fuel is admitted into the injector body at a determined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Hispano-Suiza
    Inventors: Marion Michau, José Rodrigues, Alain Tiepel
  • Patent number: 6619025
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an ecology valve that drains working fuel to the sump chamber of the ecology valve upon engine shut down. The ecology valve has a piston slidable in the piston chamber between shut-off and run positions. The piston divides the piston chamber into a sump chamber and an actuation chamber. Upon engine shut down, the piston slides toward the shut-off position and suctions sufficient fuel from the fuel manifold into the sump chamber to prevent coking of the nozzles. Upon the next engine start up, the actuation chamber is pressurized which drives the piston toward the run position and returns fuel contained in sump chamber to the fuel manifold. A drain passageway opens and fluidically connects the actuation chamber to sump chamber when the piston is sliding toward the shut-off position which allows fuel contained in the actuation chamber to drain to the sump chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Woodward Governor Company
    Inventor: Donald E. Wernberg
  • Patent number: 6543232
    Abstract: A valve assembly that is useful for controlling fuel delivery utilizes turbine power available from the steady state fuel flow within the valve assembly. A turbine element, which is moved by the steady state fuel flow, provides a motive force to a valve element that controls fuel delivery through selected outlet members of the valve arrangement. A rotating cage valve member preferably is coupled with the turbine element so that the valve member rotates responsive to movement of the turbine element. A controller determines the rate of rotation of the valve member and selectively controls a braking actuator to control the movement of the turbine element and the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Torger J. Anderson, William Proscia, Jayant S. Sabnis
  • Patent number: 6247317
    Abstract: A fuel injector for a gas turbine engine, including an axial fuel chamber and a spiral metering valve in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Richard Alan Kostka