A pressure pulse mitigation device

Abstract

A pressure pulse buffer device includes an inner tube and an outer tube, the inner tube being inserted into the outer tube and fixed relative to the outer tube via a fixed portion to define a chamber between the inner and outer tubes; a moving member mounted in the chamber between the outer and inner tubes to move along the inner tube, wherein the moving member divides the chamber into a fluid-isolated first chamber and a second chamber; and a spring configured to be sleeved on the inner tube in the first chamber, with its ends abutting against the fixed portion and the moving member, wherein a flow port is formed between the inner and outer tubes in the second chamber to allow fluid in the inner tube to enter the second chamber, and wherein the moving member is configured to move along at least a portion of the length of the inner tube according to the pressure of the fluid flowing into the second chamber.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of aircraft hydraulic systems, and more particularly to a pressure pulse mitigation device for hydraulic lines in civil aircraft. Background Technology

[0002] The hydraulic system is one of the most important systems in an aircraft. Aircraft typically use hydraulic systems to control moving parts such as moving surfaces, landing gear, and doors.

[0003] A hydraulic system consists of power components, actuators, control components, auxiliary components, and hydraulic fluid. Among these, hydraulic conduits are auxiliary components. They connect power components, actuators, control components, and other auxiliary components to form hydraulic pipelines. These pipelines transmit hydraulic fluid and are therefore essential components of a hydraulic system.

[0004] Typically, when an aircraft's hydraulic system is operating, pressure pulses may be generated in the hydraulic lines due to the opening and closing of valves or the starting and stopping of hydraulic pumps. The longer the hydraulic conduit or the smaller its cross-section, the larger the peak pressure of the pressure pulse, potentially reaching several times the normal operating pressure. These pressure pulses can cause vibrations, noise, and even damage to the hydraulic system and supporting structures within their design lifespan, potentially leading to flight accidents. Sometimes, leaks or ruptures in hydraulic conduits, cracks or fractures in supports, or even aircraft structural breakage caused by pressure pulses are found on in-service aircraft. Furthermore, hydraulic systems are usually located in confined spaces, thus requiring devices to buffer pressure pulses within these spaces.

[0005] In the current related technologies, several related devices either cannot be connected to hydraulic conduits, are not suitable for installation in hydraulic lines, or cannot eliminate pressure pulses in hydraulic lines, making it difficult to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the potential danger posed by excessive pressure pulses in hydraulic lines, this invention designs a pressure pulse mitigation device that can be installed in the hydraulic lines of an aircraft to buffer pressure pulses in the hydraulic fluid and reduce the pressure of the hydraulic fluid.

[0007] Specifically, this pressure pulse buffer device includes: an outer tube and an inner tube, the inner tube being configured to be inserted into the outer tube and fixed relative to the outer tube by means of a fixing portion to define a chamber between the inner and outer tubes; an annular moving member, the moving member being mounted in the chamber between the outer and inner tubes to be movable along the inner tube, wherein the moving member divides the chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber, such that the first chamber and the second chamber are fluidly isolated; and a spring, the spring being configured to be sleeved on the inner tube in the first chamber, with its two ends abutting against the fixing portion and the moving member, wherein a flow guide is formed between the inner and outer tubes, the flow guide being located in the second chamber to allow fluid flowing in the inner tube to enter the second chamber between the inner and outer tubes, and wherein the moving member is configured to move along at least a portion of the length of the inner tube according to the pressure of the fluid flowing into the second chamber.

[0008] In this invention, the pressure pulse buffer device has a conduit interface, and the pressure pulse buffer device is connected to the hydraulic conduit through the conduit interface.

[0009] Preferably, the first chamber is sealed and includes a gas sealed within the first chamber. This is achieved through a spring and the gas within the chamber.

[0010] To achieve a tight seal, the outer tube has a receiving port through which the inner tube is inserted into the outer tube, and the fixing part is a protrusion of the inner tube that mates with the receiving port to secure the inner tube in a tight seal relative to the outer tube.

[0011] Furthermore, the pressure pulse buffer device also includes a seal mounted on the moving part, which isolates the fluid between the first chamber and the second chamber.

[0012] In an embodiment of the invention, the moving part has flanges at both ends and includes grooves defined by the flanges, and the inner wall of the outer tube defines a boss, in which the groove receives the boss, such that the movement distance of the moving part is limited by the boss.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the seal includes a plurality of sealing rings, which are mounted around the flange of the moving member and installed in the inner diameter of the moving member.

[0014] In an embodiment of the invention, the flow port is defined by the end of the inner tube inserted into the outer tube and the end of the outer tube.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, the inner tube and the outer tube are connected by a thread.

[0016] Additional features and advantages of the gravity refueling port described herein will be set forth in the detailed description below, and will be recognized by those skilled in the art from the following description or from practice of the embodiments described herein, including the detailed description below and the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0017] With reference to the above objectives, the technical features of the present invention are clearly described in the following claims, and its advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention by way of example, without limiting the scope of the inventive concept.

[0018] Figure 1A A perspective view of a pressure pulse mitigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0019] Figure 1B It shows Figure 1A Cross-sectional view of a pressure pulse mitigation device;

[0020] Figure 1C It shows Figure 1A A cross-sectional view of the pressure pulse mitigation device, showing an enlarged view of the boss of the outer tube and the flow guide;

[0021] Figure 2A It shows Figure 1A A three-dimensional view of the inner tube of the pressure pulse mitigation device;

[0022] Figure 2B It shows Figure 2A A cross-sectional view of the inner tube;

[0023] Figure 3A It shows Figure 1A A three-dimensional view of the outer tube of the pressure pulse mitigation device;

[0024] Figure 3B It shows Figure 3A The accompanying drawing is a cross-sectional view of the outer tube, and an enlarged view of the boss of the outer tube is shown in the figure.

[0025] Figure 4A It shows Figure 1A A three-dimensional view of the moving parts of the pressure pulse mitigation device;

[0026] Figure 4B It shows Figure 4A A sectional view of the moving parts;

[0027] Figure 5A It shows Figure 4A A three-dimensional view of a moving part, which is equipped with a seal;

[0028] Figure 5B It shows the installation Figure 5A A view of the seal on the moving part; and

[0029] Figure 6 It shows Figure 1A Assembly diagram of the inner tube and spring of the pressure pulse mitigation device.

[0030] Figure Labels

[0031] 1. Pressure pulse buffer device

[0032] 100 inner tube

[0033] 101 Catheter Interface

[0034] 102 Protrusion

[0035] 200 outer tube

[0036] 201 Catheter Interface

[0037] 202 Acceptance Section

[0038] 203 convex platform

[0039] 300 moving parts

[0040] 301 flange

[0041] 302 Groove

[0042] 400 seal

[0043] 401 First sealing ring

[0044] 402 Second sealing ring

[0045] 500 springs

[0046] 600 chambers

[0047] 601 First Chamber

[0048] 602 Second Chamber

[0049] 603 Drainage Port Detailed Implementation

[0050] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, but this should not be construed as limiting the present invention in any way.

[0051] It should be understood that the terms "first" and "second" used herein can be used interchangeably without affecting the description of the embodiments.

[0052] For ease of understanding, the same elements will be referred to by the same reference numerals in the following description.

[0053] Figure 1AA perspective view of a pressure pulse mitigation device for a hydraulic line in an aircraft, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is shown. The pressure pulse buffer device 1A has conduit interfaces 101 and 201, and is connected to a hydraulic conduit via these interfaces to reduce the pressure of the hydraulic fluid.

[0054] Figure 1B and 1C It shows Figure 1A A cross-sectional view of a pressure pulse mitigation device 1 is provided. The pressure pulse mitigation device 1 includes an inner tube 100 and an outer tube 200. The inner tube 100 is configured to be inserted into the outer tube 200 and fixed relative to the outer tube 200 by means of a fixing portion to define a chamber 600 between the inner tube 100 and the outer tube 200. The aforementioned conduit interface 101 is provided at one end of the inner tube 100, and the conduit interface 201 is provided at one end of the outer tube 200. Regarding the fixing method, in this embodiment, refer to... Figure 2A , 2B In embodiments 3A and 3B, the outer tube 200 has a receiving port 202 through which the inner tube 100 is inserted into the outer tube 200. The fixing portion is a protrusion 102 of the inner tube that engages with the receiving port 202 to seal the inner tube 100 relative to the outer tube 200. The inner tube 100 and the outer tube 200 can be connected by threaded tightening, but the invention is not limited to this; they can also be connected by methods such as snap-fit, as long as easy assembly and disassembly are possible.

[0055] In other embodiments, the outer tube 200 may include, for example, an opening and a cap. After the inner tube 100 is inserted into the outer tube 200 through the opening, the cap can be used to close the opening, thereby sealing the inner tube 100 within the outer tube 200. In this case, the conduit interface 201 can be disposed on the cap. In other embodiments, different components can be used to secure the inner tube 100 relative to the outer tube.

[0056] Reference Figure 1B and additionally refer to Figure 4A and 4B The pressure pulse mitigation device 1 includes an annular moving member 300. In this embodiment, the moving member 300 is an annular piston, but this is merely an example, and flexible components of other shapes can also be used as the moving member of the present invention. The moving member 300 is mounted in a chamber 600 between the outer tube 200 and the inner tube 100 to be movable along the inner tube 100. The moving member 300 divides the chamber 600 into a first chamber 601 and a second chamber 602, such that the first chamber 601 and the second chamber 602 are fluidly isolated.

[0057] Regarding the isolation method, please refer to... Figure 1B and additionally refer to Figure 5A and5B The pressure pulse buffer device 1 also includes seals 400 mounted on the moving member 300, such that the moving member 300 fluidly isolates the first chamber 601 and the second chamber 602. In this embodiment, when the moving member 300 is an annular piston, the moving member 300 has flanges 301 at both ends, and the seals 400 include a plurality of sealing rings 401, 402, wherein the sealing rings 401 are mounted around the flanges of the moving member, and the sealing rings 402 are mounted in the inner diameter of the moving member 300, and the moving member 300 is mounted inside the outer tube 200 after the seals 400 are installed. It should be understood that, in embodiments of the present invention, the sealing rings 401, 402 are preferably mounted on the flanges 301 at both ends and in the inner diameter, but the sealing rings 401, 402 may also be mounted only on the flange 301 at one end of the moving member 300 and in the inner diameter. In this embodiment, the seal 400 is in the form of multiple sealing rings 401 and 402, but those skilled in the art will understand that the seal 400 can have other shapes, as long as it can fluidly isolate the first chamber 601 from the second chamber 602.

[0058] In this embodiment, the moving member 300 further includes a groove 302 defined by a flange 301, and the inner wall of the outer tube 200 is defined by a boss 203. The groove 302 receives the boss 203 therein, so that the movement distance of the moving member 300 is limited by the boss 203.

[0059] Reference Figure 1B and 1C The moving element 300 is configured to move along at least a portion of the length of the inner tube 100 according to the pressure of the fluid flowing into the second chamber 602. Specifically, a flow guide 603 is formed between the inner tube 100 and the outer tube 200, located in the second chamber 602, to allow fluid flowing in the inner tube 100 to enter the second chamber 602 between the inner tube 100 and the outer tube 200. When excessive fluid flows into the second chamber 602 (i.e., when a large pressure pulse occurs), the moving element 300 can move along the inner tube 100 to expand the second chamber 602. In this embodiment, as shown, the flow guide 603 is defined by the end of the inner tube 100 inserted into the outer tube 200 and the end of the outer tube. However, it should be understood that the flow guide 603 can be formed in other ways, for example, the flow guide 603 can be opened directly through the wall of the inner tube 100.

[0060] Reference Figure 1B and additionally refer to Figure 6The pressure pulse mitigation device 1 includes a spring 500, which is configured to be sleeved on the inner tube 100 within a first chamber 601, with both ends abutting against a fixed portion (protrusion 102 in this embodiment) and a moving member 300. In this embodiment, the moving member 300 is constrained by a boss 203 (see details...). Figure 1B Therefore, the spring 500 is compressed within the first chamber 601. Preferably, the first chamber 601 is sealed. To achieve this seal, the inner tube 100 and the outer tube 200 are sealed together. Through the sealing element 400 and the sealing fit between the inner tube 100 and the outer tube 200, the gas is sealed within the first chamber 601. Thus, the moving element 300 is simultaneously subjected to the elastic force of the spring 500 and the gas pressure, such that under normal circumstances, the moving element 300 is pushed to the position furthest from the protrusion 102 and does not exceed the guide port 603.

[0061] The pressure pulse buffer device 1 for hydraulic pipelines provided by this invention is connected to a hydraulic conduit via a hydraulic conduit interface 101 and a conduit interface 201 to access the hydraulic pipeline. Hydraulic fluid is transmitted through the inner pipe 100 and enters the second chamber 602 via the guide port 603. When the hydraulic system is working, if no pressure pulse occurs, the force exerted by the hydraulic fluid in the second chamber 602 on the moving part 300 is less than the force exerted by the spring 500 and gas in the first chamber 601 on the moving part 300. At this time, the force of the spring 500, the gas force, the hydraulic fluid force, and the reaction force of the limiting boss 202 keep the moving part 300 in a state of force balance, and it does not move. If a pressure pulse occurs, when the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the second chamber 602 is greater than a preset pressure, the force exerted by the hydraulic fluid on the moving part 300 is greater than that in the first chamber 601. The force exerted by the spring 500 and gas on the moving part 300 within chamber 601 causes the moving part 300 to move towards the fixed portion, thereby reducing the size of the first chamber 601 and expanding the second chamber 602. This compresses the spring 500 and gas within the first chamber 601, absorbing the energy of the pressure pulse, buffering the pressure pulse of the hydraulic fluid, and reducing the pressure of the hydraulic fluid. When the pressure of the hydraulic fluid decreases to a preset pressure, the boss 202 restricts the moving part 300 from continuing to move towards the fixed portion due to inertia to reduce the size of the first chamber 601, preventing the pressure of the hydraulic fluid from falling below the preset pressure. After the pressure pulse disappears, the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the second chamber 602 is greater than the preset pressure. At this time, the force of the spring 500 and the gas overcome the force of the hydraulic fluid, causing the moving part 300 to move away from the fixed portion to reduce the size of the second chamber 602. Furthermore, the boss 202 restricts the moving part 300 from continuing to move away from the fixed portion due to the force of the spring 500 and gas to prevent obstruction of the second chamber 602.

[0062] In other embodiments of the invention, a pressure pulse buffer device may include an inner tube and an outer tube, the inner tube being configured to be inserted into the outer tube and fixed relative to the outer tube by means of a fixing portion to define a first region, a second region, and an intermediate region between the first and second regions, the three regions being spaced apart by a limiting boss; a moving member mounted in the intermediate region to move along the inner tube within the intermediate region and to fluidly isolate the first region from the second region; and a spring configured to be sleeved on the inner tube in the first and intermediate regions, with its two ends abutting against the fixing portion and the moving member, wherein a flow guide is formed between the inner and outer tubes, the flow guide being located in the intermediate region to allow fluid flowing in the inner tube to enter the intermediate region between the inner and outer tubes, and wherein the moving member is configured to move along at least a portion of the length of the inner tube according to the pressure of the fluid flowing into the intermediate and second regions.

[0063] The pressure pulse mitigation device of the present invention enables the piston to be in a state of force balance when the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic pipeline is not higher than a predetermined pressure, the force of the hydraulic fluid in the first chamber, the force of the spring and gas in the second chamber, and the reaction force of the limiting boss; when the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic pipeline is higher than the predetermined pressure, the force of the hydraulic fluid in the first chamber pushes the moving part to compress the spring and gas in the second chamber, absorbing the energy of the pressure pulse, buffering the pressure pulse of the hydraulic fluid, and reducing the pressure of the hydraulic fluid.

[0064] While the structure and installation method of the present invention have been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should recognize that the above examples are merely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the invention. Therefore, modifications and variations can be made to the present invention, all of which will fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pressure pulse buffer device, the pressure pulse buffer device being used in an aircraft hydraulic system, and comprising: An inner tube and an outer tube, the inner tube being configured to be inserted into the outer tube and fixed relative to the outer tube by means of a fixing portion to define a chamber between the inner tube and the outer tube; A moving element, mounted in the chamber between the outer tube and the inner tube, capable of moving along the inner tube, wherein the moving element divides the chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber, such that the first chamber and the second chamber are fluidly isolated; and A spring, configured to be fitted onto the inner tube within the first chamber, with its two ends abutting against the fixed portion and the moving component. A flow guide is formed between the inner tube and the outer tube, and the flow guide is located in the second chamber to allow fluid flowing in the inner tube to enter the second chamber between the inner tube and the outer tube. The moving element is configured to move along at least a portion of the length of the inner tube according to the pressure of the fluid flowing into the second chamber.

2. The pressure pulse buffer device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure pulse buffer device has a conduit interface, through which the pressure pulse buffer device is connected to a hydraulic conduit.

3. The pressure pulse buffer device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first chamber is sealed and includes gas sealed within the first chamber.

4. The pressure pulse buffer device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The outer tube has a receiving port, through which the inner tube is inserted into the outer tube. The fixing part is the protrusion of the inner tube, which cooperates with the receiving port to seal the inner tube relative to the outer tube.

5. The pressure pulse buffer device as described in claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a seal that is mounted on the moving member, such that the moving member fluidly isolates the first chamber from the second chamber.

6. The pressure pulse buffer device as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The moving part has flanges at both ends and includes grooves defined by the flanges, and the inner wall of the outer tube defines a boss, in which the grooves receive the boss, such that the movement distance of the moving part is limited by the boss.

7. The pressure pulse buffer device as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The seal includes a plurality of sealing rings mounted around the flange of the moving part and installed within the inner diameter of the moving part.

8. The pressure pulse buffer device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The flow port is defined by the end of the inner tube that is inserted into the outer tube and the end of the outer tube.

9. The pressure pulse buffer device as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The inner tube and the outer tube are connected by threads.

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