RTX Corporation
EXCESS FUEL FLOW TO DRIVE TURBINE

Abstract:

A gas turbine engine includes a main compressor section and a main turbine section. A cooling air supply system cools a location in at least one of the main compressor section and the main turbine section. The cooling air supply system includes a tap for tapping cooling air compressed by the main compressor section, connected for passing the cooling air through a heat exchanger and to a boost compressor, and then to the cooling location in the at least one of the main compressor section and the main turbine section. A fuel supply system has a fuel tank for delivering fuel to a fuel pump. At least one valve for selectively returning fuel downstream of the main pump back to an upstream location. At least one return turbine drives at least one fluid moving device in the air cooling system.