Fuel systems for torch ignition devices
AssigneeDelavan Inc.
InventorsJason Ryon, Lev Alexander Prociw, Brandon P. Williams
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A torch igniter system for a combustor of a gas turbine engine includes a housing defining a combustion chamber, an ignition source disposed at least partially in the combustion chamber, a fuel injector, a first fluid path connecting a first fuel source to the fuel injector, a second fluid path connecting an air source to the fuel injector, and a third fluid path connecting a second fuel source to the combustion chamber. The fuel injector is configured to inject fuel, air, or a mixture of fuel and air into the combustion chamber and to impinge on the ignition source.
Claims18
A torch igniter system for a combustor of a gas turbine engine, the torch igniter system comprising:
- a housing defining a combustion chamber;
- an ignition source disposed at least partially in the combustion chamber;
- a fuel injector configured to inject at least one of fuel and air into the combustion chamber and to impinge on the ignition source;
- a first fluid path connecting a first fuel source to the fuel injector;
- a second fluid path connecting an air source to the fuel injector;
- a third fluid path connecting a second fuel source to the combustion chamber;
- an inner wall of the fuel injector, the inner wall defining an internal volume of the fuel injector;
- a flow divider disposed within the internal volume of the fuel injector;
- a tip aperture disposed between the combustion chamber and the flow divider, wherein the first fluid path, second fluid path, and third fluid path overlap within the tip aperture;
- a channel that extends through the flow divider and connects the second fluid path and third fluid path to the tip aperture;
- and
- an annular volume formed between the flow divider and the inner wall, the annular volume connecting the first fluid path to the tip aperture;
- wherein a portion of the second fluid path overlaps the third fluid path upstream of the flow divider.
2-3. (canceled)
5-6. (canceled)
A torch igniter for a combustor of a gas turbine engine, the torch igniter comprising:
- a housing defining a combustion chamber;
- an ignition source disposed at least partially in the combustion chamber;
- a fuel injector configured to inject a first fluid into the combustion chamber to impinge on the ignition source;
- a first fluid channel connected to the fuel injector;
- an aperture extending at least partially through the housing and configured to inject a second fluid into the combustion chamber to impinge on the ignition source;
- a second fluid channel connected to the aperture;
- wherein the second fluid comprises a fuel.
A method of switching fuels delivered to a torch igniter for a combustor of a gas turbine engine, the method comprising:
- delivering a first fuel to a combustion chamber along a first flow path, the combustion chamber defined by a housing;
- creating a flame within the combustion chamber by impinging the first fuel on an ignition source;
- detecting an interruption in the delivery of the first fuel;
- delivering a second fuel to the combustion chamber along a second flow path after detecting the interruption;
- and
- delivering air along the first flow path while delivering the second fuel along the second flow path;
- and
- igniting the second fuel with the flame in the combustion chamber.
(canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.