Patent ID: 7841184
Filing Date: 2010-11-30
Classification: F02C,F05D,F23N,F23R

Abstract:
1. A method for measuring a start fuel flow to a pilot nozzle in a fuel system of a gas turbine engine for ignition in a combustion chamber during an engine start procedure, the fuel system including a first fuel passage leading to the pilot nozzle and a second fuel passage leading to a main manifold, both the pilot nozzle and main manifold being in fluid communication with the combustion chamber, the method comprising: a) measuring a pressure differential between the first fuel passage and the second fuel passage while the start fuel flow is being directed through the first fuel passage to the pilot nozzle, until a light-up condition of the pilot nozzle is detected; and b) calculating the start fuel flow using a flow number of the pilot nozzle and a measured value of the pressure differential.