Abstract:
A pilot fuel injector is provided for a fuel nozzle of a gas turbine engine. The pilot fuel injector can include an axially-elongated, inner pilot centerbody wall extending from an upstream end to a downstream end, with the axially-elongated, inner pilot centerbody wall having a diverging-converging orientation with respect to a centerline axis to define a hollow tube having an upstream diameter, a throat, and a downstream diameter such that the throat has an inner diameter that is less than both of the upstream diameter and the downstream diameter. The pilot fuel injector also includes a center air circuit positioned at the upstream end, and an annular fuel passage defining the downstream end and intersecting with the centerbody wall at a pilot fuel metering orifice. A pilot fuel film surface is downstream from the annular fuel passage.
Abstract:
A fuel nozzle is provided for a gas turbine engine, and can include a pilot fuel injector having an axially-elongated, inner pilot centerbody wall and an outer pilot centerbody wall, with the axially-elongated, inner pilot centerbody wall extending from an upstream end to an annular fuel passage defining the downstream end of the pilot fuel injector. The fuel passage intersects with the inner pilot centerbody wall at a pilot fuel metering orifice. The fuel nozzle also includes a pilot fuel film surface downstream from the annular fuel passage and an annular splitter surrounding the pilot fuel injector. The annular splitter comprises, in axial sequence: an upstream section, a splitter throat having a diameter that is larger than a downstream diameter defined by the pilot fuel film surface, and a downstream diverging surface having an average diverging angle of about 24° to about 40° in relation to a centerline axis.
Abstract:
A combustion section defines an axial direction, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction. The combustion section includes a casing that defines a diffusion chamber. A combustion liner is disposed within the diffusion chamber and defines a combustion chamber the combustion liner is spaced apart from the casing such that a passageway is defined between the combustion liner and the casing. A fuel cell assembly is disposed in the passageway. The fuel cell assembly includes a fuel cell stack that has a plurality of fuel cells each extending between an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end receives a flow of air and fuel and the outlet end provides output products to the combustion chamber. The fuel cell assembly further includes an electrical circuit that is electrically coupled to the plurality of fuel cells and that extends through the casing.
Abstract:
A fuel cell assembly is provided, including a fuel cell stack having a fuel cell, the fuel cell having a cathode and an anode; and a multi-gas sensor configured to sense gas composition data of a flow of output products from the cathode, gas composition data of a flow of output products from the anode, gas composition data of a fluid surrounding the fuel cell, or a combination thereof to determine fuel cell leakage diagnostic information.
Abstract:
A method is provided for operating a propulsion system having a gas turbine engine and a fuel cell assembly. The fuel cell assembly includes a fuel cell. The method includes: receiving gas composition data of output products from the fuel cell; and controlling operation of the fuel cell assembly, the gas turbine engine, or both in response to the received gas composition data of the output products from the fuel cell.
Abstract:
A gas turbine engine is provided. The gas turbine engine includes a turbomachine having a turbomachine having a compressor section, a combustor, and a turbine section arranged in serial flow order, the turbomachine further including an outer casing; and a fuel cell assembly positioned within the outer casing of the turbomachine, the fuel cell assembly including a fuel cell, an inlet line in fluid communication with an inlet of the fuel cell, and an output products line in fluid communication with an outlet of the fuel cell for receiving output products from the fuel cell, wherein the inlet line is positioned to be in thermal communication with the output products during operation of the gas turbine engine.
Abstract:
A system for an aircraft including: a fuel tank defining an interior; and a fuel cell assembly having a fuel cell defining an air outlet, wherein the air outlet of the fuel cell is in airflow communication with the interior of the fuel tank for providing an inerting airflow from the fuel cell to the interior of the fuel tank to reduce an oxygen content of the interior of the fuel tank.
Abstract:
Various embodiments include a trapped vortex combustor and a method for operating trapped vortex combustor. In one embodiment, the trapped vortex combustor comprises a trapped vortex combustion zone and at least one secondary combustion zone disposed downstream of the trapped vortex combustion zone. The trapped vortex combustion zone is operable to receive and combust a first fuel and a first air and produce a first combustion product flowing toroidally therein. The at least one secondary combustion zone is operable to receive and combust the first combustion product and at least one second injection consisting of fuel and/or air and produce at least one second combustion product therein. The combustor may reduce the residence time of the highest temperature combustion products and achieve the lower NOx emission.
Abstract:
A method for operating a propulsion system for an aircraft, the propulsion system including a gas turbine engine and a fuel cell assembly, the fuel cell assembly comprising a fuel cell stack having a fuel cell defining an outlet positioned to remove output products from the fuel cell during operation, the method including: executing a startup sequence for the gas turbine engine, wherein executing the startup sequence comprises initiating the startup sequence for the gas turbine engine; executing a startup sequence for the fuel cell assembly concurrently with, or subsequent to, initiating the startup sequence for the gas turbine engine; and operating the fuel cell assembly to provide output products to a combustion section of the gas turbine engine.
Abstract:
A propulsion system is provided including: a gas turbine engine including a combustion section having a combustor; and a modular fuel cell assembly. The modular fuel cell assembly includes: a first fuel cell string comprising a first processing unit and a first fuel cell stack, the first fuel cell stack comprising a first fuel cell defining an outlet configured to provide output products from the first fuel cell to the combustor; and a second fuel cell string comprising a second processing unit and a second fuel cell stack, the second fuel cell stack comprising a second fuel cell defining an outlet configured to provide output products from the second fuel cell to the combustor.