Combustion chamber and method for supplying fuel to a combustion chamber

Abstract

The combustion chamber has a body with nozzles to inject a fuel to be burnt therein. The nozzles define a plurality of groups to be fed in parallel. The nozzles of each group define at least two stages that are differently operated according to the different operating conditions. The combustion chamber also has a manifold for collecting a fuel to be distributed among the groups, a plurality of supply elements distributing the fuel originating from the manifold to each group, for each group, splitters for diverting the fuel coming from the supply elements between the stages.

1 . Combustion chamber having a body with nozzles to inject a fuel to be burnt therein, wherein:
 the nozzles define a plurality of groups ( 13 ) to be fed in parallel, and   the nozzles of each group ( 13 ) define at least two stages ( 12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c ,  12   d ), that are differently operated according to the different operating conditions, the combustion chamber comprising:   a manifold ( 14 ) for collecting a fuel to be distributed among the groups ( 13 ),   a plurality of supply elements ( 15 ) distributing the fuel originating from the manifold ( 14 ) to each group ( 13 ); and   at least one splitter ( 17 ) associated with each group for diverting the fuel coming from the supply elements ( 15 ) between the stages ( 12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c ,  12   d ).   
     
     
         2 . The combustion chamber according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of supply elements ( 15 ), each supply element ( 15 ) being connected to another supply element ( 15 ). 
     
     
         3 . The combustion chamber according to  claim 1 , wherein one main line ( 19 ) to supply fuel into the manifold ( 14 ) is provided, the main line ( 19 ) having a control valve ( 20 ) to regulate the fuel flow within the manifold ( 14 ). 
     
     
         4 . The combustion chamber according to  claim 1 , wherein each splitter ( 17 ) can only divert the fuel flow among the stages ( 12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c ,  12   d ). 
     
     
         5 . The combustion chamber according to  claim 1 , wherein, for each group ( 13 ), each supply element ( 15 ) is defined by a duct, and further ducts ( 22 ) are provided between the splitters ( 17 ) and the nozzles of each stage ( 12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c ,  12   d ), the splitters ( 17 ) comprise a control valve ( 25 ) on each duct operated by an actuator ( 26 ). 
     
     
         6 . The combustion chamber according to  claim 5 , wherein the actuator ( 26 ) is a common actuator. 
     
     
         7 . The combustion chamber according to  claim 1 , wherein for each group ( 13 ), each supply element ( 15 ) is defined by a duct, and further ducts ( 22 ) are provided between the splitters ( 17 ) and the nozzles of each stage ( 12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c ,  12   d ), the splitters ( 17 ) comprise a multiple-way control valve ( 28 ) to which the ducts are connected. 
     
     
         8 . The combustion chamber according to  claim 1 , wherein the splitters ( 17 ) are locally controlled. 
     
     
         9 . The combustion chamber according to  claim 8 , wherein the splitters ( 17 ) are controlled on the basis of a fuel pressure within the duct that carries them. 
     
     
         10 . The combustion chamber according to  claim 8 , wherein the splitters ( 17 ) are controlled on the basis of an open loop control or closed loop control scheme. 
     
     
         11 . The combustion chamber according to  claim 1 , wherein the splitters ( 17 ) are centrally controlled. 
     
     
         12 . The combustion chamber according to  claim 11 , wherein the splitters ( 17 ) are controlled on the basis of an open loop control or closed loop control scheme. 
     
     
         13 . The combustion chamber according to  claim 1 , wherein the combustion chamber is a premixed combustion chamber having mixing devices ( 31 ) and at least one combustion device ( 30 ), wherein the nozzles of each group ( 13 ) belong to same mixing device ( 31 ). 
     
     
         14 . Method for supplying fuel to a combustion chamber having a body with nozzles to inject a fuel to be burnt therein, wherein:
 the nozzles define a plurality of groups ( 13 ) to be fed in parallel, and   the nozzles of each group ( 13 ) define at least two stages ( 12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c ,  12   d ), that are differently operated according to the different operating conditions,   
       the method comprising:
 collecting in a manifold ( 14 ) the fuel to be distributed among the groups ( 13 ), 
 distributing the fuel originating from the manifold ( 14 ) to each group ( 13 ) via supply elements ( 15 ); 
 diverting, for each group ( 13 ), the fuel coming from the supply elements ( 15 ) between the stages ( 12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c ,  12   d ).