The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 23, 2026
Filed:
Sep. 29, 2023
Solar Turbines Incorporated, San Diego, CA (US);
David W. Howarth, La Mesa, CA (US);
Kiara Breadmore, San Diego, CA (US);
Terry R. Tarver, Saratoga Springs, UT (US);
John S. Bowen, San Diego, CA (US);
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
Traditionally, during ignition of a gas turbine engine, the fuel control valves are controlled to be nearly closed, in order to provide the small amount of fuel that is necessary to ignite the gas turbine engine. The error that is inherent in providing fuel flow through small openings results in a higher likelihood of start-up failures. Accordingly, a lightoff fuel pressure reduction system is disclosed that uses a pressure reducing regulator on a bypass flow path to temporarily reduce the pressure of fuel supplied to the fuel control valves. In this case, the fuel control valves may be maintained in a more open position during the ignition phase, which reduces the likelihood of ignition failures.