Cold regulating valve for heat exchanger system of aircraft propulsion system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cold regulation valve for a heat exchanger system of an aircraft propulsion system, wherein said cold regulation valve comprises: an open frame delimiting an opening; two flaps having an outer convex shape, slidingly mounted on said open frame between a closed position and an open position; a mechanism linked to said flaps and movable between a first position and a second position, and wherein, when said mechanism moves from said first position to said second position, said mechanism moves said flaps from said closed position to said open position and vice versa; and an actuator acting on said mechanism to move said mechanism from said first position to said second position and vice versa. Particular embodiments of said cold regulation valve generate a low resistance when said flaps are in a closed position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a cold regulating valve for a heat exchanger system in an aircraft propulsion system. Background Technology

[0002] like Figure 1 As shown, the heat exchanger system 2 of the aircraft propulsion system, used to supply hot air to different air management systems (e.g., de-icing, cabin air conditioning) of the aircraft, includes a heat exchanger 3. The heat exchanger is supplied with hot air through a first supply conduit 4, which discharges hot air from the engine through a first valve 4a and a second valve 4b. The first supply conduit also includes a thermal regulating valve 4c, which is capable of regulating the pressure at the inlet of the heat exchanger 3.

[0003] The heat exchanger 3 is also supplied with cold air via a second supply pipe 5, which discharges cold air from the engine's fan duct. The second supply pipe 5 also includes a cold air regulating valve 5a, which is controlled by a controller 5b to regulate the amount of cold air introduced into the heat exchanger 3, and thus regulate the temperature of the hot air leaving the heat exchanger 3.

[0004] After passing through heat exchanger 3, the heated cold air is discharged to the outside through exhaust pipe 6, and the cooled hot air is guided to the air management system through transfer pipe 7.

[0005] The cold control valve 5a is typically a butterfly valve, which includes a single plate that is rotatably mounted on a frame and moves between an open and closed position by a rotary motor fixed to the frame.

[0006] This cold-regulating valve 5a, i.e., the butterfly valve, is located inside the engine's fan duct. In the flat, closed position, the cold-regulating valve 5a, i.e., the butterfly valve, forms a closed cavity inside the fan duct, thus creating resistance within the fan duct and adversely affecting the performance of the propulsion system. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide a cold regulating valve for a heat exchanger system in an aircraft propulsion system, which generates very little or no additional resistance in the fan duct when in the closed position.

[0008] To address this, a cold regulating valve for a heat exchanger system in an aircraft propulsion system is proposed. The cold regulating valve comprises: an open frame defining an opening, the open frame including an upper wall and a lower wall connected by two sidewalls, and a plurality of guide rails arranged in identical manner on the upper wall and the lower wall; two baffles extending between a front end and a rear end, with a baffle on each side of a vertical plane dividing the open frame into symmetrical left and right parts, each baffle being slidably mounted on a guide rail and movable between a closed position and an open position, in which each baffle closes the opening. The opening is halfway open, with each baffle retracted in the open position to open half of the opening, wherein each baffle has an outwardly convex surface between its front end and its rear end; a mechanism for moving the baffle, the mechanism being linked to the baffle, wherein the mechanism is movable between a first position and a second position, and wherein, when the mechanism moves from the first position to the second position, the mechanism moves the baffle from the closed position to the open position, and vice versa; and an actuator acting on the mechanism to move the mechanism from the first position to the second position, and vice versa. Attached Figure Description

[0009] The above and other features of the invention will become more apparent after reading the following description of exemplary examples, which is given with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] - Figure 1 It is a schematic illustration of a heat exchanger system including a cold regulating valve according to the prior art;

[0011] - Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a propulsion system is shown, which is attached under the wing of the aircraft and includes a heat exchanger system with a cold regulating valve according to the invention;

[0012] - Figure 3 It is based on the present invention Figure 2 A perspective view of the cold control valve;

[0013] - Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A top view of the cold control valve, wherein the cold control valve is in the closed position; and

[0014] - Figure 5 Is with Figure 4 The same view of the cold control valve in the open position. Detailed Implementation

[0015] about Figure 2The propulsion system 12 of the aircraft includes a dual-flow turbojet engine 13 and a pylon 14, which is attached at its upper portion to a structure (not shown) of the wing 11 of the aircraft and at its lower portion to the turbojet engine 13.

[0016] In the following description, the position-related terminology refers to arrow Av, which indicates the direction of flight of wing 1 in the air under the thrust provided by turbojet engine 13.

[0017] The turbojet engine 13 includes an annular nacelle 18 surrounding the engine 19, and the engine includes a fan 20 and an engine body 21 for driving the fan along the longitudinal axis X of the nacelle from the front to the rear of the nacelle 18.

[0018] The turbojet engine 13 includes an annular fan duct 22 defined between the nacelle 18 and the engine 19, located behind the fan 20. The airflow F exhausted by the fan 20 is directed along the entire length of the fan duct 22 and then ejected at the rear of the turbojet engine 13.

[0019] The suspension bracket 14 is positioned above the engine body 21 and is partially submerged in the fan duct 22.

[0020] The propulsion system 12 includes a heat exchanger system 30, which includes a heat exchanger 31 disposed within a fan duct 22. The heat exchanger system 30 has the same architecture as prior art heat exchanger systems, but the cooling regulating valve disposed within the fan duct 22 has a different design, which will be described in detail below.

[0021] like Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the cooling regulating valve 34 according to the invention includes an open frame 40. The open frame 40 has a generally semi-cylindrical shape, comprising a lower wall 42 and an upper wall 41 connected together by two curved sidewalls 43, 44. The lower and upper walls 41, 42 are identical to each other and have a generally semi-circular shape, with a straight edge 46 at the front side of the open frame 40 and an arched edge 47 at the rear side of the open frame 40. Together, walls 41-44 define an opening 45 extending from the front and rear sides of the open frame 40.

[0022] When the cold regulating valve 34, which is mounted on the aircraft on the ground, is in the operating position, the open frame 40 is arranged between the pylon 14 and the nacelle 18, wherein the upper and lower walls 41, 42 of the open frame are approximately parallel to the ground, and the front side of the open frame is oriented towards the front of the fan duct 22, and the rear side of the open frame is oriented towards the rear of the fan duct 22.

[0023] The flow of cold air through opening 45 (arrow F) reaches the supply pipe 33 that connects the cooling regulating valve 34 to the heat exchanger 31. The wall of the supply pipe 33 extends through the walls 41-44 of the open frame 40 so that the cold air flowing through opening 45 in the fan duct 22 reaches the heat exchanger 31 without loss.

[0024] The open frame 40 can be directly fixed to the second supply pipe 33 using known fixing devices, or fixed to another fixed structure, such as the nacelle 18 or the mast 15.

[0025] The cooling regulating valve 34 also includes two baffles 51 and 52. Figure 3 The open frame 40 is shown transparently in the middle. Each baffle 51, 52 includes front edges 51a, 52a and rear edges 51b, 52b connected together by upper edges 51c, 52c and lower edges 51d, 52d. Each baffle 51, 52 includes pins 53, 54 inserted into guide rails 50 arranged on the upper and lower walls 43, 44 of the open frame 40. The pins 53, 54 are accommodated in the guide rails 50 so that the baffles 51, 52 can be guided along the path defined by the guide rails 50.

[0026] The guide rail 50 consists of elongated holes arranged along the arched edges 47 of the upper and lower walls 43 and 44, and is symmetrically distributed on each side of the vertical plane V of the open frame 40.

[0027] The vertical plane V is the plane that divides the open frame 40 into two symmetrical left and right parts, and is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the open frame 40 extending between its front and rear sides. When the cold regulating valve 34 is in the operating position, the longitudinal axis of the open frame is parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the nacelle 18.

[0028] The pattern forming the elongated hole of the guide rail 50 is designed so that the baffles 51 and 52 can be in the closed position. Figure 4 (Corresponding to the closed position of the cold regulating valve) and the open position ( Figure 5 (Corresponding to the open position of the cold regulating valve) moves between the following positions: in the closed position, each baffle 51, 52 closes half of the opening 45; in the open position, each baffle 51, 52 retracts to open half of the opening 45. An intermediate position is possible between the open and closed positions. The upper wall 41... Figure 4 and Figure 5 It is shown in a transparent manner.

[0029] In the closed position, the front edges 51a and 52a of the baffles 51 and 52 contact each other to cover the opening 45. In the open position, the front edges 51a and 52a of the baffles 51 and 52 move away from each other to allow the opening 45 to open. Each baffle has an outwardly convex surface between its front edge 51a and 52a and its rear edge 51b and 52b. When these baffles are in their closed position, the flow of cold air F from the fan duct 22 is deflected by the outwardly convex surfaces of the baffles 51 and 52 and does not enter the open frame 40. The convex shape is designed to reduce the resistance caused by the cooling regulating valve 34 arranged within the fan duct 22 when the baffles 51 and 52 are in the closed position.

[0030] exist Figures 3 to 5 In the detailed embodiment, each baffle includes a front pin 53 disposed on its lower and upper edges 51c-d, 52c-d at the front ends 51a, 52a, and a rear pin 54 disposed on its lower and upper edges 51c-d, 52c-d at the rear ends 51b, 52b. For both the upper and lower walls 41, 42, a pair of guide rails 50 are provided on each side of the vertical plane V and symmetrically about this plane V. These guide rails have a front guide rail 50F and a rear guide rail 50B located behind the front guide rail 50F. The front guide rail 50F is formed by an elongated hole with a straight pattern, while the rear guide rail 50B is formed by an elongated hole with a serrated pattern. These specific patterns allow the baffles 51, 52 to fit within the shape of the sidewalls even if they are convex.

[0031] At the level of each of the upper and lower walls 41, 42, and on each side of the vertical plane V, the front pin 53 of the baffles 51, 52 is inserted into the front guide rail 50F, and the rear pin 54 of the baffles 51, 52 is inserted into the rear guide rail 50B.

[0032] The cold control valve 34 also includes a mechanism 60 for moving a baffle, which is linked to the baffles 51 and 52. The mechanism 60 for moving the baffle is movable between a first position corresponding to the closed position of the baffles 51 and 52 and a second position corresponding to the open position of the baffles 51 and 52.

[0033] The mechanism 60 for moving the baffle includes two sets of identical rods 61 and 62, one set of rods being arranged on the lower wall 42 and the other set of rods being arranged on the upper wall 41. Each set of rods 61 and 62 includes rods 63F and 63B, which are hinged together and arranged outside the opening 45. In the closed position of the baffle, each set of rods 61 and 62 is located behind the baffles 51 and 52, while in the open position of the baffle, each set of rods is located between the baffles 51 and 52.

[0034] exist Figures 3 to 5In the detailed embodiment, each set of rods 61, 62 includes four hinged rods 63F-B, wherein on each side of the vertical plane V there are two rods dedicated to the movement of the baffles 51, 52 (i.e., the front rod 63F and the rear rod 63B).

[0035] Both the upper and lower walls 41 and 42 include a longitudinal track 63, which is formed by elongated holes with a linear pattern and is arranged parallel to the vertical plane V. Both upper and lower walls 41 and 42 also include two transverse tracks 64, each formed by an elongated hole with a linear pattern, which are arranged perpendicular to the vertical plane V. The two transverse tracks 64 are symmetrically distributed on each side of the longitudinal track 63.

[0036] On each side of the vertical plane V and on each of the upper and lower walls 41, 42, the front rod 63F has a first end hinged to a front pin 53 of the baffles 51, 52 and a second end hinged to a first end of the rear rod 63B. The second end of the rear rod 63B is hinged to a shaft 65 housed in a longitudinal track 63. To ensure sufficient kinematics to allow movement of the baffles 51, 52, the rear rod 63B also includes a pin housed in a transverse track 64.

[0037] Actuator 60a (see Figure 3 The actuator 60a acts on the mechanism 60 used to move the baffle. The actuator 60a is mechanically linked to the shaft 65 of a set of rods 61 arranged on the upper wall 41. The actuation causes translation of the shaft 65 along the longitudinal track 63. Due to the described kinematic chain, the movement of the shaft 65 of the set of rods 62 arranged on the lower wall 42 is exactly the same as the movement of the shaft 65 of the set of rods linked to the actuator 60a.

[0038] Because the movement of shaft 65 is translational rather than rotational, actuator 60a can move away from shaft 65, and in particular, the actuator can be positioned rearward relative to the cooling regulating valve 34 to avoid interference with the airflow F in the fan duct 22.

[0039] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, when the baffles 51 and 52 are in the closed position, the shaft 65 of each set of rods 61 and 62 abuts against the rear end of the longitudinal rail 63, while the front pin 53 of the baffles 51 and 52 abuts against the front end of the front guide rail 50F, and the rear pin 54 abuts against the front end of the rear guide rail 50B.

[0040] To move the baffles 51 and 52 toward their open positions, actuator 60a moves shaft 65 toward the front end of longitudinal track 63. The movement of shaft 65 toward the front end of longitudinal track 63 causes the front pin 53 and rear pin 54 of the baffles to translate toward the rear end of front guide track 50F and rear guide track 50B, respectively.

[0041] When shaft 65 abuts against the front end of the longitudinal track, it reaches the open position of baffles 51 and 52.

Claims

1. A cold regulating valve (34) for a heat exchanger system (30) in an aircraft propulsion system (12), characterized in that, The cooling regulating valve (34) includes: - An open frame (40) defining the opening (45), the open frame (40) including an upper wall and a lower wall (41, 42) connected by two side walls (43, 44), and a plurality of guide rails (50) arranged in exactly the same manner on the upper wall (41) and the lower wall (42). - Two baffles (51, 52) extending between the front end (51a, 52a) and the rear end (51b, 52b) have a baffle (51, 52) on each side of a vertical plane (V) that divides the open frame (40) into two symmetrical left and right parts. Each baffle (51, 52) is slidably mounted on a guide rail (50) and is movable between a closed position and an open position, in which each baffle (51, 52) closes half of the opening (45) and in the open position, each baffle (51, 52) retracts to open half of the opening (45). Each baffle (51, 52) has an outwardly convex surface between its front end (51a, 52a) and its rear end (51b, 52b). - A mechanism (60) for moving the baffle, the mechanism being linked to the baffle (51, 52), wherein the mechanism (60) is movable between a first position and a second position, and wherein, when the mechanism moves from the first position to the second position, the mechanism moves the baffle (51, 52) from the closed position to the open position, and vice versa. - An actuator (60a) that acts on the mechanism (60) to move the mechanism from the first position to the second position and vice versa.

2. The cold regulating valve (34) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The open frame (40) has a generally semi-cylindrical shape.

3. The cold regulating valve (34) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The mechanism (60) for moving the baffle includes two sets of identical rods (61, 62), wherein the first set of rods (61) is arranged on the upper wall (41) and the second set of rods (62) is arranged on the lower wall (42).

4. The cold regulating valve (34) according to claim 3, characterized in that, At both the front and rear ends (51a-b, 52a-b) of the baffle (51, 52) and at each of the two opposite edges (51c-d, 52c-d) of the baffle, the baffle includes a front pin (53) disposed at its front edge and a rear pin (54) disposed at its rear edge, the front pin and the rear pin (53, 54) being inserted into guide rails (50) of the upper wall and the lower wall (41, 42).

5. The cold regulating valve (34) according to claim 4, characterized in that, On each side of the vertical plane (V), each of the upper wall and the lower wall (41, 42) includes a front guide rail (50F) for receiving the front pin (53) and a rear guide rail (50B) located behind the front guide rail for receiving the rear pin (54).

6. The cold regulating valve (34) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The front guide rail (50F) is an elongated hole with a straight pattern, while the rear guide rail (50B) is an elongated hole with a serrated pattern.

7. The cold regulating valve (34) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that, Each of the upper wall and the lower wall (41, 42) includes a longitudinal track (63) and two transverse tracks (64), the longitudinal track being formed by elongated holes with a straight pattern and arranged parallel to the vertical plane (V), each transverse track being formed by elongated holes with a straight pattern, the two transverse tracks (64) being arranged perpendicular to the vertical plane (V) and symmetrically distributed on each side of the longitudinal track (63).

8. The cold regulating valve (34) according to claim 7, characterized in that, Each set of rods (61, 62) includes rods (63F, 63B) that are hinged to each other and to the baffle (51, 52), and the rods (63F, 63B) are arranged outside the opening (45).

9. The cold regulating valve (34) according to claim 8, characterized in that, Each set of rods (61, 62) includes four hinged rods (63F-B), with a front rod (63F) and a rear rod (63B) on each side of the vertical plane (V).

10. The cold regulating valve (34) according to claim 9, characterized in that, On each side of the vertical plane (V), the front rod (63F) has a first end hinged to a front pin (53) of a baffle (51, 52) and a second end hinged to a first end of the rear rod (63B), the second end of the rear rod (63B) being hinged to a shaft (65) housed in the longitudinal rail (63), and the rear rod (63B) further includes a pin (66) housed in the transverse rail (64).

11. The cold regulating valve (34) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The actuator (60a) is mechanically linked to the shaft (65) housed in the longitudinal track (63) of the upper wall (41).

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