Methods and apparatus for a cryogenic fuel distribution system using a bypass
AssigneesGE Avio S.r.l., General Electric Company
InventorsMirko Gernone, Douglas D. Turner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems, apparatus, articles of manufacture, and methods are disclosed that include a fuel distribution system for an engine, the fuel distribution system comprising: a first pump downstream of a fuel tank; a first motor coupled to the first pump; a second pump downstream of the first pump; a second motor coupled to the second pump; a third pump downstream of the second pump, the third pump having an inlet and an outlet; a bypass pathway from the outlet of the third pump to the inlet of the third pump; and a recirculation valve, the recirculation valve in line with the bypass pathway.
Claims16
A fuel distribution system for an engine, the fuel distribution system comprising:
- a first pump downstream of a fuel tank and connected thereto;
- a first motor coupled to the first pump, the first motor configured to operate the first pump;
- a second pump downstream of the first pump;
- a second motor coupled to the second pump, the second motor configured to operate the second pump;
- a third pump downstream of the second pump, the third pump having an inlet and an outlet;
- a bypass pathway from the outlet of the third pump to the inlet of the third pump, the first pump and the second pump outside of the bypass pathway;
- a recirculation valve in line with the bypass pathway;
- and
- a bypass valve in line with the bypass pathway downstream of the third pump and upstream of the recirculation valve.
A gas turbine engine comprising:
- a fuel tank to retain a fuel;
- a combustor to combust the fuel;
- a fuel distribution system to distribute the fuel, the fuel distribution system including:
- a first pump downstream of the fuel tank;
- a first motor coupled to the first pump;
- a second pump downstream of the first pump;
- a second motor coupled to the second pump;
- a third pump downstream of the second pump, the third pump having an inlet and an outlet;
- a bypass pathway from the outlet of the third pump to the inlet of the third pump, the first pump and the second pump outside of the bypass pathway;
- a recirculation valve in line with the bypass pathway;
- and
- a fuel assembly including:
- a vaporizer having an inlet and an outlet;
- a fuel metering valve having an inlet or an outlet, the fuel metering valve downstream of the vaporizer;
- and
- a bypass valve, wherein the bypass valve is in line with the bypass pathway downstream of the third pump and upstream of the recirculation valve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.