US 12,305,581 B2
Proportional restriction of a secondary circuit of a fuel injector
Brandon P. Williams, Johnston, IA (US); Michael Ferrarotti, Durham, CT (US); Murtuza Lokhandwalla, South Windsor, CT (US); Todd Haugsjaahabink, Amherst, MA (US); Russell P. Rourke, Jr., East Granby, CT (US); Jay W. Kokas, Bloomfield, CT (US); Richard E. Versailles, New Hartford, CT (US); and Jason A. Ryon, Carlisle, IA (US)
Assigned to Collins Engine Nozzles, Inc., Des Moines, IA (US)
Filed by Collins Engine Nozzles, Inc., Des Moines, IA (US)
Filed on Jul. 21, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/224,869.
Application 18/224,869 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/896,786, filed on Aug. 26, 2022, granted, now 11,970,977.
Prior Publication US 2024/0068413 A1, Feb. 29, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F02C 9/26 (2006.01); F02C 7/22 (2006.01); F02C 7/228 (2006.01); F02C 7/232 (2006.01); F23R 3/28 (2006.01)
CPC F02C 9/263 (2013.01) [F02C 7/222 (2013.01); F02C 7/228 (2013.01); F02C 7/232 (2013.01); F23R 3/28 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fuel injector for a turbine engine comprising:
a housing comprising:
an internal enclosure for pressurized fluid; and
a fuel inlet formed on the housing, permitting delivery of a fuel supply to the fuel injector;
a scheduling valve disposed within the housing and downstream of the fuel inlet, wherein the scheduling valve is configured for regulation of fuel flow from the fuel inlet in response to fuel pressure received at the fuel inlet;
a primary fuel circuit formed in the housing, receiving fuel from the scheduling valve;
a secondary fuel circuit formed in the housing, receiving fuel from the scheduling valve;
an auxiliary fuel circuit formed in the housing, receiving fuel from the scheduling valve;
wherein the scheduling valve includes a valve spool, biased to a closed position by one or more biasing members, wherein the valve spool is configured to regulate flow from the fuel inlet of the injector to each of the primary, secondary and auxiliary fuel circuits;
an electrically-controlled valve in fluid communication with the auxiliary fuel circuit,
adapted and configured to actively control fuel through the auxiliary fuel circuit in response to a control signal, and wherein the electrically-controlled valve is downstream of the scheduling valve;
a fuel nozzle in fluid communication with and receiving fuel from the primary and secondary and auxiliary fuel circuits;
a primary outlet formed on the nozzle, in fluid communication with the primary fuel circuit; and
a secondary outlet formed on the nozzle, in fluid communication with the secondary fuel circuit and the auxiliary fuel circuit.