IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,492,662
Granted Patent B2
US 12,492,662 · App. 18/588,810 · Granted Dec 9, 2025

Fuel pump with built-in thermal bypass

Inventors: Ryan Prescott Susca (Windsor, CT); Ryan Shook (Loves Park, IL)
Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
F02C7/232F02C7/22F02C7/236F02C9/28B01D35/005
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,492,662
App. No.
18/588,810
Granted
Dec 9, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A fuel delivery system for a gas turbine engine includes a fuel source, a main fuel pump configured to deliver a first flow of fuel to a combustor assembly of the gas turbine engine, a main fuel filter positioned upstream of the main fuel pump, and an actuation pump disposed upstream of the main fuel filter and configured to deliver a second flow of fuel from the fuel source to one or more actuation devices of the gas turbine engine.

Claims (39)

1 . A fuel delivery system for a gas turbine engine, comprising:

a fuel source;

a main fuel pump configured to deliver a first flow of fuel to a combustor assembly of the gas turbine engine;

a main fuel filter disposed upstream of the main fuel pump;

an actuation pump disposed upstream of the main fuel filter and configured to deliver a second flow of fuel from the fuel source to one or more actuation devices of the gas turbine engine; and

a thermal bypass valve located downstream of the actuation pump and configured to be activated when a temperature of the second flow of fuel exceeds a predetermined threshold, to increase a volume of the second flow of fuel through the actuation pump, thereby decreasing the temperature of the second flow of fuel;

wherein when the thermal bypass valve is activated the second flow of fuel is directed to the main fuel filter.

2 . The fuel delivery system of claim 1 , further comprising a boost pump positioned upstream of the main fuel filter and the actuation pump.

3 . The fuel delivery system of claim 2 , further comprising a wash filter disposed fluidly between the boost pump and the main fuel filter.

4 . The fuel delivery system of claim 3 , wherein the actuation pump is fed from the wash filter.

5 . The fuel delivery system of claim 2 , wherein the second flow of fuel is urged from the one or more actuation devices to an outlet of the boost pump.

6 . The fuel delivery system of claim 1 , wherein the thermal bypass valve is one of actively controlled or thermostatically controlled.

7 . The fuel delivery system of claim 1 , further comprising a high pressure relief valve disposed downstream of the actuation pump and configured when activated to direct the second flow of fuel toward the main fuel filter when a pressure of the second flow of fuel exceeds a predetermined threshold.

8 . The fuel delivery system of claim 1 , wherein the actuation pump is a variable displacement pump.

9 . A gas turbine engine and fuel delivery system, comprising:

a gas turbine engine, including:

a turbine; and

a combustor where a first flow of fuel is combusted to drive the turbine via a flow of combustion products; and

a fuel delivery system operably connected to the gas turbine engine, including:

a fuel source;

a main fuel pump configured to deliver a first flow of fuel to the combustor;

a main fuel filter disposed upstream of the main fuel pump;

an actuation pump disposed upstream of the main fuel filter and configured to deliver a second flow of fuel from the fuel source to one or more actuation devices of the gas turbine engine; and

a thermal bypass valve located downstream of the actuation pump and configured to be activated when a temperature of the second flow of fuel exceeds a predetermined threshold, to increase a volume of the second flow of fuel through the actuation pump, thereby decreasing the temperature of the second flow of fuel;

wherein when the thermal bypass valve is activated the second flow of fuel is directed to the main fuel filter.

10 . The gas turbine engine and fuel delivery system of claim 9 , further comprising a boost pump positioned upstream of the main fuel filter and the actuation pump.

11 . The gas turbine engine and fuel delivery system of claim 10 , further comprising a wash filter disposed fluidly between the boost pump and the main fuel filter.

12 . The gas turbine engine and fuel delivery system of claim 11 , wherein the actuation pump is fed from the wash filter.

13 . The gas turbine engine and fuel delivery system of claim 10 , wherein the second flow of fuel is urged from the one or more actuation devices to an outlet of the boost pump.

14 . The gas turbine engine and fuel delivery system of claim 9 , wherein the thermal bypass valve is one of actively controlled or thermostatically controlled.

15 . The gas turbine engine and fuel delivery system of claim 9 , further comprising a high pressure relief valve disposed downstream of the actuation pump and configured when activated to direct the second flow of fuel toward the main fuel filter when a pressure of the second flow of fuel exceeds a predetermined threshold.

16 . The gas turbine engine and fuel delivery system of claim 9 , wherein the actuation pump is a variable displacement pump.

17 . A fuel delivery system for a gas turbine engine, comprising:

a fuel source;

a main fuel pump configured to deliver a first flow of fuel to a combustor assembly of the gas turbine engine;

a main fuel filter disposed upstream of the main fuel pump;

an actuation pump disposed upstream of the main fuel filter and configured to deliver a second flow of fuel from the fuel source to one or more actuation devices of the gas turbine engine; and

a thermal bypass valve located downstream of the actuation pump and configured to be activated when a temperature of the second flow of fuel exceeds a predetermined threshold;

wherein when the thermal bypass valve is activated the second flow of fuel is directed to the main fuel filter.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 11, 2024
From: SUSCA, RYAN PRESCOTT; SHOOK, RYAN
To: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 066709/0420 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250270959A1 · Aug 28, 2025
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