US 12,331,933 B2
Multiphase fuel injector
Bidhan Dam, Zeeland, MI (US); Mowgli Crosby, Zeeland, MI (US); and Sudipa Sarker, Zeeland, MI (US)
Assigned to Woodward, Inc., Fort Collins, CO (US)
Filed by Bidhan Dam, Zeeland, MI (US); Mowgli Crosby, Zeeland, MI (US); and Sudipa Sarker, Zeeland, MI (US)
Filed on Feb. 17, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/170,932.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/311,825, filed on Feb. 18, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0085025 A1, Mar. 14, 2024
Int. Cl. F23R 3/34 (2006.01); F02C 7/232 (2006.01); F16K 17/04 (2006.01); F16K 21/04 (2006.01); F23R 3/16 (2006.01); F23R 3/28 (2006.01)
CPC F23R 3/346 (2013.01) [F02C 7/232 (2013.01); F16K 17/04 (2013.01); F16K 21/04 (2013.01); F23R 3/16 (2013.01); F23R 3/283 (2013.01); F23R 3/343 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of making a multiphase fuel injector, the method comprising the steps of:
additively manufacturing an injector body, wherein the injector body includes:
a fuel inlet at a first end of the injector body and a fuel outlet at a second end of the injector body opposite the first end;
a primary circuit disposed within the injector body proximate the fuel inlet and extending into a central portion of the injector body, the primary circuit having a fuel swirler disposed in an opening within the injector body, the fuel swirler configured to receive a first flow of pressurized fuel from the fuel inlet, direct the first flow of pressurized fuel to a spin chamber located in the injector body downstream from the fuel inlet, and impart a swirling motion to the first flow of pressurized fuel; and
a secondary circuit located within the injector body and positioned radially outward from the primary circuit, the secondary circuit configured to receive a second flow of pressurized fuel from the fuel inlet, the secondary circuit having one or more helical secondary openings formed in the injector body, the one or more helical secondary openings configured to direct the second flow of pressurized fuel toward the fuel outlet and to impart a swirling motion to the second flow of pressurized fuel,
wherein the primary circuit includes a flow plate attached to a biasing spring, wherein the flow plate blocks fuel from flowing into the secondary circuit when the biasing spring is fully extended, and allows fuel to flow into the secondary circuit when the biasing spring is compressed.
 
5. A multiphase fuel injector, comprising:
an injector body having a fuel inlet at a first end of the injector body and a fuel outlet at a second end of the injector body opposite the first end;
a primary circuit disposed proximate the fuel inlet and extending into a central portion of the injector body, the primary circuit configured to receive a first flow of pressurized fuel from the fuel inlet and discharge the fuel into a spin chamber located in the injector body downstream from the fuel inlet, the primary circuit configured to impart a swirling motion to the first flow of pressurized fuel;
a secondary circuit located in the injector body radially outward from the primary circuit, the secondary circuit configured to receive a second flow of pressurized fuel from the fuel inlet and discharge the fuel into the fuel outlet, the secondary circuit configured to impart a swirling motion to the second flow of pressurized fuel,
wherein the primary circuit includes a flow plate attached to a biasing spring, wherein the flow plate blocks fuel from flowing into the secondary circuit when the biasing spring is fully extended, and allows fuel to flow into the secondary circuit when the biasing spring is compressed.