AlliedSignal Fluid Systems has provided fuel metering valve hardware to three aircraft engine manufacturers for evaluation. Two of the programs were Integrated High Performance Turbine Engine Technology (IHPTET) related. The third program was an IR&D effort. Bench test and evaluation of all three valve designs have been completed, and one of the designs has actually been used for engine test. Engine testing of the other two valve designs is planned for the future. These three designs are similar, but each is intended to be used in different system configurations, and each valve design offers unique features. The design approaches used for the three valve designs incorporate several new and innovative technologies, including high-temperature brushless dc motor actuators, low-pressure loss metering element design, fiber optic rotary output position sensor, no-moving-parts oscillating jet flow meter, high-temperature RS (rapid solidification) aluminum alloy, high-temperature elastomeric seals, high-pressure shutoff capabilities, and closed loop electronic fuel flow metering.
Two of the valve configurations were actual flight weight designs and were bench tested in elevated temperature conditions. Typical component level testing included room ambient performance, proof pressure, dynamic response, leakage measurement and limited duration elevated temperature endurance. Valve 1 was successfully used for engine fuel flow control on a General Electric/AlliedSignal Propulsion Engine JTAGG (Joint Technology Advanced Gas Generator) test of over 50 hours duration. Testing of the other two valve designs on JTDE (Joint Technology Demonstrator Engine) programs is planned.
