Fuel supply system for gas turbine engines

Claim 1

A system for supplying fuel to a plurality of fuel injectors of a gas turbine engine wherein the fuel injectors are interconnected into a plurality of groups of fuel injectors, the system including a source of fuel and comprising: a) first fuel distribution means operatively associated with the plurality of fuel injectors so as to sequentially supply fuel to each of the plurality of groups of fuel injectors when the fuel flow is below a predetermined threshold value such that the flow rate from the fuel source is generally constant, wherein the fuel distribution means comprises: i) a generally cylindrical casing having a central axis and defining a plurality of axially elongated slits circumferentially spaced apart around the casing, and further defining a fuel inlet chamber; ii) a generally cylindrical feed slide valve located in the generally cylindrical casing, the feed slide valve defining at least one aperture communicating with the fuel inlet chamber; iii) conduit means operatively connecting each slit to a group of fuel injectors; and, iv) rotating means to rotate the feed slide valve about a rotational axis relative to the casing such that, as the slide valve rotates, the at least one aperture is sequentially in communication alignment with the plurality of slits so as to allow fuel to pass from the fuel inlet chamber into the conduit means; b) second fuel distribution means operatively associated with the plurality of fuel injectors so as to supply fuel to all of the plurality of fuel injectors when the fuel flow exceeds a predetermined threshold value; and, c) fuel transfer means operatively associated with the first and second fuel distribution means so as to direct fuel from the fuel source to the first and second fuel distribution means as a function of the fuel flow.

Claim 2

A system for supplying fuel to a plurality of fuel injectors of a gas turbine engine wherein the fuel injectors are interconnected into a plurality of groups of fuel injectors, the system including a source of fuel and comprising: a) first fuel distribution means operatively associated with the plurality of fuel injectors so as to sequentially supply fuel to each of the plurality of groups of fuel injectors when the fuel flow is below a predetermined threshold value such that the flow rate from the fuel source is generally constant, wherein the fuel distribution means comprises: i) a generally cylindrical casing having a central axis and defining a plurality of axially elongated slits circumferentially spaced apart around the casing, and further defining a fuel inlet chamber; ii) a generally cylindrical feed slide valve located in the generally cylindrical casing, the feed slide valve defining at least one aperture communicating with the fuel inlet chamber; iii) conduit means operatively connecting each slit to a group of fuel injectors; and, iv) rotating means to rotate the feed slide valve about a rotational axis relative to the casing such that, as the slide valve rotates, the at least one aperture is sequentially in communication alignment with the plurality of slits so as to allow fuel to pass from the fuel inlet chamber into the conduit means; b) second fuel distribution means operatively associated with the plurality of fuel injectors so as to supply fuel to all of the plurality of fuel injectors when the fuel flow exceeds a predetermined threshold value; and, c) fuel transfer means operatively associated with the first and second fuel distribution means so as to direct fuel from the fuel source to the first and second fuel distribution means as a function of the fuel flow.