DE102010009878A1 - Fluid flow interruption device for fuel supply system for gas turbine, particularly aircraft gas turbine, comprises fluid passage which is formed in housing, where moving interruption element is locked in fluid passage in housing - Google Patents

Abstract

The fluid flow interruption device comprises a fluid passage (2) which is formed in housing (1), where a moving interruption element (3) is locked in the fluid passage in the housing from a releasing position. The interruption element is arranged between a fluid inlet (5) and a fluid outlet (6).

Description

The invention relates to a fluid flow interrupting device, which, like a shut-off element or valve, serves to interrupt a flow of fluid passing through a pipeline or the like.

In particular, the invention relates to a fluid flow interruption device which is used in aircraft gas turbines to allow an emergency shutdown of an engine.

In aircraft gas turbines and more generally in aircraft engine technology safety systems are provided to quickly shut down engines during special errors. This applies, for example, to overspeed conditions of rotating parts, such as turbine rotors.

From the prior art it is known to generate signals by means of monitoring and / or measuring systems, by means of which a fluid flow, for example the fuel supply, can be interrupted. The interruption occurs in the prior art by means of valves or shut-off elements.

The known constructions of such valves operate mechanically or electromagnetically, for example, spring-biased piston elements can be triggered by means of electromagnets.

The EP 0 828 924 A describes a mechanically operated Kraftstoffabschaltventil with a check valve body, which is brought by spring force in a, a fuel line of a gas turbine interrupting position. In this case, the check valve body is held in the open position by a pre-tensioned scissors mechanism. If a component acts on this scissor mechanism, for example in the case of a turbine shaft break, the scissor mechanism moves the valve shut-off body. This construction is mechanically complex and not verifiable in terms of their effectiveness.

An electromagnetically actuated Kraftstoffabschaltventil is from the EP 1 891 361 B1 previously known. In this case, a piston is sealed by means of a flexible membrane and is actuated by means of an electromagnet.

An electromagnetically actuated fuel shut-off valve with spring-assisted support shows the DE 103 57 423 A1 , In this case, an electromagnet acts on a lever arrangement in order to release a spring element for actuating the closure member.

Although the solutions known from the prior art allow for shorter tripping times, these are not sufficiently short in all operating conditions and for all applications.

Another major disadvantage of the known constructions is that a large number of mechanical parts (levers, springs or the like) are provided. As a result, the risk of error increases considerably, since these mechanical parts can fail or wear out.

Furthermore, the mechanical solutions are characterized by high weight and large space.

A major disadvantage of the previously known solutions is additionally that these mechanical parts are either not at all or only very difficult verifiable. So it is hardly or not possible to perform a function test.

The invention has for its object to provide a fluid flow interrupting device of the type mentioned above, which has a quick reaction time with a simple structure and simple, cost manufacturability and is easily verifiable in terms of their operation.

According to the invention the object is achieved by the combination of features of claim 1, the dependent claims show further advantageous embodiments of the invention.

According to the invention it is thus provided that the fluid flow interruption device comprises a housing in which a fluid passage is formed. Furthermore, an interruption element is arranged in the housing, preferably in the form of a piston. The interruption member is movable from a release position to a closed position. In the closed position, the interruption element is introduced into the fluid passage and closes it tightly.

To trigger the fluid flow interrupting device according to the invention, it is provided according to the invention that an electrically ignitable pressure generator, which can be brought into contact with the interruption element, is arranged in the housing. This pressure generator is preferably designed in the form of an electrically ignitable pyrotechnic propellant charge.

According to the invention it is thus possible by means of the pressure generator to build up a pressure within a very short period of time, which brings the interruption element (the piston) from the release position into the closed position. Due to the explosive pressure build-up is here To achieve an extremely short reaction time, which can be realized by mechanical or electromechanical devices in any way.

The device according to the invention thus makes it possible, for example, to ensure by the short system release time that no damage to the aircraft gas turbine is possible at overspeed rotors of aircraft gas turbines. In the case of rotor disks, there is the danger in aircraft gas turbines that they are accelerated extremely rapidly to a high rotational speed, for example in the case of a shaft break. There is a risk that the rotor disks burst. Especially with regard to weight-optimized rotors, which are always easier despite constantly increasing drive power of a gas turbine and therefore have a low mass moment of inertia, the fluid flow interrupting device according to the invention can be used with particular advantage.

The fluid flow interruption device according to the invention still has a considerable, additional advantage. By using an electrically ignitable pressure generator, the number of mechanical parts is reduced to a minimum. The only part to be moved mechanically is the interruption element itself. Thus, the susceptibility to errors decreases because the number of parts is considerably reduced. This leads not only to lower weight and smaller size, but also to the possibility not given in the prior art to electronically check the device according to the invention. This check may take place during operation or during each start-up of the system. According to the invention, it is only necessary to check the electrical supply lines to the electrically ignitable pressure generator and the pressure generator itself. This is possible with simple measures.

In a particularly favorable embodiment of the invention it is provided that the interruption element between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet is arranged in the housing. Here, it is structurally particularly easy to ensure a fluid-tight closure or a fluid-tight interruption of the fluid passage.

To actuate the interruption element, it is particularly advantageous if in the housing between the interruption element and the pressure generator, a pressure chamber is formed. By suitable dimensioning of the pressure chamber, a sufficient pressure for movement of the interruption element can be applied. Furthermore, the pressure in the pressure chamber can be maintained for a longer period, so that it is ensured that the interruption element remains securely in the closed position. For this purpose, a mechanical fuse may additionally be provided which prevents a return movement of the interruption element, for example due to vibrations occurring or the like. Such a mechanical solution can be designed, for example, in the form of a pawl, a detent nose or the like.

In a particularly favorable development of the invention it is provided that in the housing a relief outlet is provided, through which a fluid pressure in the fluid outlet is reduced, when the interruption element is in the closed position. This prevents the fluid in the fluid outlet and in a subsequent line from being further pressurized and flowing after the interruption element has been brought into the closed position. Preferably, the interruption member has a pressure relief passage connecting the fluid outlet to the relief outlet. Thus, during the extremely short reaction time of the device according to the invention, the fluid is relieved of pressure during the movement of the interruption element from the release position into the closure position in the closure position. As a result, for example, in gas turbine engines, the leading to the combustion chamber fuel line is relaxed. There can be no dripping of the fuel into the combustion chamber, so that the shutdown of the entire engine is further accelerated. This leads to a considerable increase in the security of the entire system.

• – sehr schnelle Betätigung
• – keine mechanischen Teile zur Kolbenbetätigung nötig
• – Entspannung des Druckes in der kraftstoffführenden Leitung
• – geringes Bauvolumen
• – geringes Gewicht
• – Zündkreis elektronisch überprüfbar, monitorbar
• – sehr gute Kombinierbarkeit mit elektronischen Wellenbruch-Detektionssystemen

According to the invention, the following advantages thus result:

• - very fast operation
• - No mechanical parts needed for piston actuation
• - Relaxation of the pressure in the fuel-carrying line
• - low construction volume
• - low weight
• - Ignition circuit electronically verifiable, monitorable
• - Very good compatibility with electronic wave breakage detection systems

In the following the invention will be described by means of an embodiment in conjunction with the drawing. Showing:

1 a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a fluid flow interrupting device according to the invention in the release position, and

2 a representation, analog 1 , in closed position.

The device according to the invention comprises a housing 1 in which a fluid passage 2 is formed, which extends from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet. The housing 1 thus has a flow channel through which fluid, such as fuel of an aircraft gas turbine can flow.

Furthermore, in the housing 1 slidably formed in the form of a piston interruption element 3 arranged. This has a pressure relief passage extending in its longitudinal direction 8th on, which may be formed for example in the form of a groove.

Furthermore, in the housing is a discharge outlet 9 intended.

At the fluid passage 2 opposite side of the interruption element 3 is a pressure chamber 7 formed, which for example in the form of a recess of the piston-like interruption element 3 can be trained.

In the case 1 is still adjacent to the fluid passage 2 opposite side of the interruption element 3 a pressure generator 4 provided, which is formed for example in the form of a gas generator. This includes in the embodiment shown a pyrotechnic propellant which is electrically ignitable. For this purpose, the pressure generator 4 with a propellant charge 10 provided by an electrical connection cable 11 is ignitable.

It thus follows that only one element which is to be actuated mechanically is provided, namely the piston-like interruption element 3 ,

The 1 shows the release position, in which an unobstructed flow through the fluid passage 2 he follows.

After ignition of the propellant charge 10 of the pressure generator 4 Within a very short time a pressure builds up in the pressure chamber 7 which leads to a displacement of the interruption element 3 leads. This will be in the fluid passage 2 inserted and closes this. At the same time, the pressure relief passage 8th with the fluid outlet 6 connected, so that, as indicated by the arrows in 2 illustrated, a pressure relief of the pressure in the fluid outlet 6 through the pressure relief passage 8th and the discharge outlet 9 he follows.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

casing

2

fluid passage

3

Interruption element / plunger

4

Pressure generator / inflator

5

fluid inlet

6

fluid outlet

7

pressure chamber

8th

Pressure relief passage

9

relief outlet

10

propellant

11

electrical line

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 0828924 A [0006]
• EP 1891361 B1 [0007]
• DE 10357423 A1 [0008]

Claims (8)

Fluid flow interruption device with a housing ( 1 ), in which a fluid passage ( 2 ) is formed with a in the housing ( 1 ) from a release position into a shutter movable interruption element ( 3 ) which enters the fluid passage ( 2 ) can be introduced to their closure, and with a in the housing ( 1 ), electrically ignitable, on the interruption element ( 3 ) acting pressure generator ( 4 ). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the interruption element ( 3 ) between a fluid inlet ( 5 ) and a fluid outlet ( 6 ) and for the fluid-tight closure of the fluid passage ( 2 ) is trained. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the interruption element ( 3 ) is formed in the form of a piston. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that between the interruption element ( 3 ) and the pressure generator ( 4 ) a pressure chamber ( 7 ) is trained. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the interruption element ( 3 ) a pressure relief passage ( 8th ), which in the closed position the fluid outlet ( 6 ) with a discharge outlet ( 9 ) connects. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the pressure generator is an electrically ignitable pyrotechnic propellant charge ( 10 ). Use of a fluid flow interrupting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 in a fuel system of a gas turbine. Use of a fluid flow interruption device according to one of claims 1 to 6 in a fuel system of an aircraft gas turbine.

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