Fuel system - INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION
1. The functions of the fuel system are to provide the engine with fuel in a form suitable for combustion  and to control the flow to the required quantity necessary for easy starting, acceleration and stable running, at all engine operating conditions. To do this, one or more fuel pumps are used to deliver the fuel to the fuel spray nozzles, which inject it into the combustion system (Part 4) in the form of an atomized spray. Because the flow rate must vary according to the amount of air passing through the engine to maintain a constant selected engine speed or pressure ratio, the controlling devices are fully automatic with the exception of engine power selection, which is achieved by a manual throttle orpower lever. A fuel shut-off valve (cock) control lever is also used to stop the engine, although in some instances these two manual controls are combined for single-lever operation.
2. It is also necessary to have automatic safety controls that prevent the engine gas temperature, compressor delivery pressure, and the rotating assembly speed, from exceeding their maximum limitations.
3. With the turbo-propeller engine, changes in propeller speed and pitch have to be taken into account due to their effect on the power output of the engine. Thus, it is usual to interconnect the throttle lever and propeller controller unit, for by so doing the correct relationship between fuel flow and airflow is maintained at all engine speeds and the pilot is given single-lever control of the engine. Although the maximum speed of the engine is normally determined by the propeller speed controller, over-speeding is ultimately prevented by a governor in the
fuel system.
4. The fuel system often provides for ancillary functions, such as oil cooling (Part 8) and the hydraulic control of various engine control systems; for example, compressor airflow control (Part 3).

COMBUSTION CHAMBER PERFORMANCE

Fig. 4-9 Annular combustion chamber.

COMBUSTION CHAMBER PERFORMANCE
23. A combustion chamber must be capable of allowing fuel to burn efficiently over a wide range of operating conditions without incurring a large pressure loss. In addition, if flame extinction occurs, then it must be possible to relight. In performing these functions, the flame tube and spray nozzleatomizer components must be mechanically reliable.
24. The gas turbine engine operates on a constant pressure cycle, therefore any loss of pressure during the process of combustion must be kept to a minimum. In providing adequate turbulence and mixing, a total pressure loss varying from about 3 to 8 per cent of the air pressure at entry to the chamber is incurred.