Fuel Flow Elements for Automotive and Small Industrial Gas Turbines

Requirements are defined for fuel flow control elements to be used with an electronic computer to form a flexible complete control system for a diverse range of small industrial and automotive gas turbine engines. A preferred system configuration is described, suitable for use with a variety of engine types and output powers in the 100 to 1000 kw range and for medium and high quantity production. The solution described uses a gear type fuel pump, a simple metering valve positioned by a moving coil d-c force motor, a diaphragm type pressure drop regulator, and a solenoid high pressure shut-off valve. The reasons for choice of this arrangement and its specific advantages are presented. Development and early service experience with the system are discussed and performance characteristics are presented.