Sundstrand Corporation

Robert L Bracken

Kent I Weber

Edward S Blain

Michael W Sledd

Stuart Alexander Greenwood

Anita I Jacobs

Tim Sullivan

An engine is provided having a fuel supply system which includes apparatus of straightforward construction that is powered solely by a flow of fuel through a delivery line to the engine for increasing the flow of fuel through the delivery line to the engine during start-up of the engine. A small control volume of pressurized fuel is stored during a preceding operational period of the engine for use in augmenting the fuel flow to the engine during a subsequent start-up of the engine. A converter apparatus is also disclosed for converting a portion of the fuel flow from the control volume and/or from a main fuel pump into an increased flow rate or pressure of fuel to the engine during the subsequent start-up. The control volume of fuel is stored in such a manner that volume compensation for changes in ambient temperature is provided, and in such a manner that the fuel line is positively shut off during periods of inoperation such that the fuel cannot leak out or evaporate and thus not be available for rapid start-up of the engine during a subsequent start.

Fuel pump assist for engine starting

Prior fuel supply conduits for use in applications where fluid flow must diffuse and turn a sharp bend have suffered from reduced two-phase flow capability, cavitation on the walls of the conduit, head loss and unsteady flow patterns. In order to overcome these problems, a fuel supply conduit includes an inlet flow passage member having first and second ends and an inner wall defining a first, diverging passage from the first end to the second end wherein the member directs fuel flow at the first end substantially 180 degrees opposite to an axial direction and directs fuel flow at the second end in a direction transverse to the axial direction. A fuel supply chamber is disposed between the second end of the member and an inducer inlet and allows fuel flow from the member to the inducer inlet wherein the fuel supply chamber includes inner walls defining a second, converging passage from the second end of the member to the inducer inlet.

Fluid supply conduit

A centrifugal pump includes a housing containing an impeller mounted on a shaft which is journaled for rotation within the housing. An inlet to the housing directs fluid from a supply to one end of the impeller and axially spaced first and second volute diffusers formed around the other end of the impeller receive fluid from the impeller. The volute diffusers are of different predetermined sizes designed to handle different flowrates of fluid while producing about the same pressure head. A sleeve telescoped into the housing and surrounding the impeller may be moved between extended and retracted positions to close off and open the flow of fluid into the larger one of the volute diffusers.

Growing community of inventors

Rockford, IL, United States of America

Robert L Bracken