Fuel Systems Textron Inc.

Richard V Huddas

Apparatus for cleaning an internal passage of an article, such as a fuel passage of a gas turbine or other engine. The apparatus comprises a container for containing cleaning fluid, means for communicating a first end of the passage to the cleaning fluid in the container, and cleaning fluid conduit means communicated to a second end of the passage in a manner to draw cleaning fluid from the container to flow through the passage from the first end toward the second end in response to flow of cleaning fluid through the conduit means. The apparatus includes means for blocking flow of cleaning fluid through the conduit means so as to direct the cleaning fluid therein to flow through the passage from the second end toward the first end and into the container.

Cleaning apparatus and method for fuel and other passages

A fuel injector for a combustor of a gas turbine engine comprises an injector housing having a fuel discharge passage for receiving pressurized fuel and communicated to the combustor for discharging the fuel thereto and an air discharge passage for receiving pressurized air and communicated to the combustor for discharging the air thereto to atomize the discharged fuel. A purge passage in the housing is communicated to the fuel discharge passage at one end and communicated to the air discharge passage at another end. The end of the purge passage is communicated to the air discharge passage by opening directly to the air discharge passage or, alternately, indirectly vis a duct member on the injector housing extending from a region proximate the end of the purge passage to the air passage. A valve in the housing is operable during fuel flow to the fuel injector for blocking communication between the purge passage and the fuel discharge passage while the purge passage and air discharge passage are communicated and, operable upon interruption of fuel flow to communicate the purge passage and fuel discharge passage to provide purge air from the air discharge passage through the purge passage to purge fuel residing in the fuel passage to the combustor.

Growing community of inventors

Grand Haven, MI, United States of America

Richard V Huddas