A plate valve exhaust valve for a ram air inlet and method

Abstract

The application discloses a plate valve type exhaust valve for a ram air inlet and a method. The plate valve type exhaust valve comprises a valve housing, the valve housing is provided with a large plate, a small plate and an auxiliary plate, the large plate is hinged to the valve housing through a large plate rotating shaft, the small plate is hinged to the valve housing through a small plate rotating shaft, the auxiliary plate is located above the large plate and is hinged to the large plate through an auxiliary plate rotating shaft, the large plate and the auxiliary plate are respectively provided with a large plate protrusion and an auxiliary plate protrusion which are close to each other at the auxiliary plate rotating shaft, and a tension spring is arranged between the large plate and the auxiliary plate, the valve housing is hinged to a first connecting rod, the first connecting rod is hinged to a second connecting rod through a first connecting rod output rotating shaft, the second connecting rod is hinged to the small plate through a second connecting rod output rotating shaft, the small plate is hinged to a third connecting rod through a small plate output rotating shaft, and the third connecting rod is hinged to the large plate through a third connecting rod output rotating shaft. The plate valve type exhaust valve has multiple functions and low cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of aircraft cabin pressure control technology, specifically relating to a plate valve type exhaust valve and method for ram air inlet. Background Technology

[0002] The exhaust valve is the main actuator of the cabin pressure control system. The bleed air system continuously supplies air to the cabin, and by actuating the exhaust valve's opening, it regulates the exhaust flow rate, thereby controlling cabin pressure to maintain a comfortable pressure environment for the occupants. When the aircraft is cruising at high altitude, engine or bleed air system malfunctions can lead to insufficient fresh air entering the cabin, reducing cabin oxygen levels and causing discomfort or even life-threatening situations for the occupants. Currently, the exhaust valve only allows fresh air to enter the cabin when the outside atmospheric pressure is greater than or equal to the cabin pressure. However, at high altitudes, this can cause cabin decompression and trigger decompression sickness. Therefore, there is a need for an exhaust valve that can also act as a ram air inlet in case of engine or bleed air system malfunction, allowing air to enter the cabin even when the outside atmospheric pressure is lower than the cabin pressure.

[0003] Currently, exhaust valves are divided into two types: butterfly valves and plate valves. Butterfly valves are generally installed inside the cabin and cannot be used as ram air inlets. Plate valves are installed on the aircraft skin and serve as the interface between the cabin and the atmosphere. However, the maximum opening of the plate valve is currently 90°, which is insufficient to introduce outside airflow into the cabin. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a plate valve type exhaust valve and method for ram air inlets. This invention has multiple functions and low cost.

[0005] The technical solution of the present invention is as follows: a plate valve type exhaust valve for ram air inlet, comprising a valve housing, the vent of the valve housing being provided with a large plate, a small plate and an auxiliary plate respectively; the large plate is hinged to the valve housing via a large plate pivot, the small plate is hinged to the valve housing via a small plate pivot, the auxiliary plate is located above the large plate and is hinged to the large plate via an auxiliary plate pivot; the large plate and the auxiliary plate are respectively provided with a large plate protrusion and an auxiliary plate protrusion at the auxiliary plate pivot, and a tension spring is provided between the large plate and the auxiliary plate; the valve housing is hinged to a first connecting rod, the first connecting rod is hinged to a second connecting rod via a first connecting rod output pivot, the second connecting rod is hinged to the small plate via a second connecting rod output pivot, the small plate is hinged to a third connecting rod via a small plate output pivot, and the third connecting rod is hinged to the large plate via a third connecting rod output pivot.

[0006] In the aforementioned plate valve type exhaust valve for pressurized air inlet, the vent side wall of the valve housing is provided with a conversion pin, and the side of the bottom surface of the auxiliary plate is provided with a guide groove. When the auxiliary plate rotates 90° around the large plate pivot, the guide groove and the conversion pin engage.

[0007] In the aforementioned plate valve type exhaust valve for pressurized air inlet, the torque generated by the tension spring on the auxiliary plate in the initial state is opposite in direction to the torque generated by the tension spring on the auxiliary plate when the switching pin is located at the bottom of the guide groove.

[0008] In the aforementioned plate valve type exhaust valve for pressurized air inlet, the two sides of the bottom surface of the large plate are provided with large plate sidewalls.

[0009] A method of using the plate valve type exhaust valve as described above: under normal conditions, the vent of the valve housing is used as an exhaust channel; under the linkage of the first, second and third linkages, the large and small plates rotate in opposite directions around the large and small plate pivots respectively; at the same time, under the action of the tension spring, the large plate protrusion and the auxiliary plate protrusion are always in contact, so that the auxiliary plate rotates synchronously with the large plate.

[0010] In the aforementioned usage method, when the vent of the valve housing is used as an exhaust channel, the rotation angle of the large plate is 0° to 90°.

[0011] In the aforementioned usage method, when the engine or bleed air system fails, the vent of the valve housing is used as a bleed air passage; at this time, the rotation angle of the large plate around the large plate pivot is greater than 90°, and the shovel-shaped structure formed by the large plate and the side wall of the large plate guides the airflow into the cockpit along the vent located in front of the large plate; under the action of the guide groove and the conversion pin, the large plate protrusion and the auxiliary plate protrusion disengage, and at the same time, the auxiliary plate rotates around the auxiliary plate pivot, sealing the vent located behind the large plate.

[0012] In the aforementioned usage method, when the vent of the valve housing is used as an air intake channel, the maximum rotation angle of the large plate around the large plate axis is 120°.

[0013] The advantages of this invention are: under normal operating conditions, it can be used for cabin pressure regulation; in the event of engine or bleed air system failure, its structure can be adjusted to serve as a ram air inlet, introducing fresh outside air into the cabin and making the cabin pressure greater than the outside atmospheric pressure, thus offering multiple functions.

[0014] Specifically, compared to traditional plate valve exhaust valves with a 90° opening range, the large plate of this invention has a larger opening range. Under normal circumstances, the exhaust valve is used to control the large plate of the exhaust valve to open or close between 0° and 90° according to the instructions issued by the cabin pressure controller, thereby regulating the cabin pressure. In the event of an engine or bleed air system failure, the large plate of the exhaust valve will be driven to a specific angle, and the vertical plates on both sides will form the sidewalls of the inlet with the valve housing, preventing ram air from flowing away on the side and improving intake efficiency. At the same time, the auxiliary plate will seal the channel between the large plate and the small plate to prevent air from flowing out of the cabin, making the cabin pressure greater than the external pressure.

[0015] This invention does not affect the normal function of the exhaust valve in regulating the exhaust volume. Under normal circumstances, the exhaust valve is used to control the cabin exhaust volume. The opening range of the main plate is 0° to 90°. Under the action of the tension spring, the auxiliary plate is pressed tightly against the protrusion, making the auxiliary plate parallel to the main plate and preventing the auxiliary plate from affecting the exhaust passage.

[0016] In the event of engine or bleed air system failure, this invention can function as a ram air inlet to maintain the cabin pressure environment and provide fresh air. In this situation, the main plate will continue to open from 90°. During this time, the guide groove walls on both sides of the auxiliary plate will remain in contact with the conversion pin. Under the driving force of the main plate and the reaction force of the conversion pin, the auxiliary plate overcomes the tension spring and rotates around its axis at a speed greater than that of the main plate. Ultimately, the main plate forms a shovel-shaped structure on the outside of the aircraft, drawing air into the cabin. The auxiliary plate then covers the exhaust passage between the main and auxiliary plates, preventing cabin air from escaping.

[0017] The switching point between the exhaust channel mode and the emergency ramming inlet mode in this invention is at the fully open position of the exhaust valve, at which point the guide grooves on both sides of the auxiliary plate begin to contact the conversion pin.

[0018] In this invention, when the exhaust valve is used as a ram air inlet, one side of the large plate is aligned with the inside of the valve housing channel, and the other side is perpendicular to the direction of the external atmospheric airflow, forming an air intake channel together with the large plate and the valve housing. The side walls can prevent airflow from flowing out from both sides of the large plate, thereby improving air intake efficiency.

[0019] This invention uses a purely mechanical structure to introduce fresh outside air while maintaining cabin pressure in the event of an engine or bleed air system failure, thus reducing the impact of the failure. At the same time, the structure does not affect the normal operation of the exhaust valves during normal aircraft operation.

[0020] In the event of a bleed air system failure, the present invention can still provide 1.4 kg / s of air to the cockpit in high-altitude environments without requiring a rapid descent of the aircraft to increase bleed air, thus improving flight safety.

[0021] This invention achieves two modes of operation for the exhaust valve: as an exhaust channel and as an emergency pressurization inlet, through a purely mechanical structure. It uses a single input to drive the rotation of three valve plates: the large plate, the small plate, and the auxiliary plate, reducing the use of motors and lowering costs.

[0022] In this invention, the tension spring can cross the axis of the auxiliary plate during rotation. At this time, the torque exerted by the tension spring on the auxiliary plate is opposite to the direction of the initial torque, so that the tension of the tension spring is in the same direction as the driving force of the large plate, reducing the requirement for the driving force of the large plate. At the same time, it can also ensure that when the exhaust valve is used as the ram air inlet, the auxiliary plate is pressed shut by the tension of the tension spring, avoiding shaking and air leakage during vibration. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the plate valve type exhaust valve that can be used as a ram air inlet according to the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a plate valve type exhaust valve that can be used as a ram air inlet according to the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 This is an embodiment of the plate valve type exhaust valve of the present invention that can be used as a ram air inlet, configured as an exhaust outlet;

[0026] Figure 4 This invention relates to an exhaust valve and emergency ram air inlet conversion configuration of a plate valve type exhaust valve that can be used as a ram air inlet;

[0027] Figure 5 This is the configuration of an emergency ram air inlet in an embodiment of a plate valve type exhaust valve that can be used as a ram air inlet according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, but this should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0029] Example 1. A plate valve type exhaust valve for ram air inlet, configured as follows: Figure 1-5 As shown, the device includes a valve housing 1. The vent of the valve housing 1 is provided with a large plate 13, a small plate 6, and an auxiliary plate 14. The large plate 13 is hinged to the valve housing 1 via a large plate pivot 10, the small plate 6 is hinged to the valve housing 1 via a small plate pivot 7, and the auxiliary plate 14 is located above the large plate 13 and is hinged to the large plate via an auxiliary plate pivot 12. The large plate 13 and the auxiliary plate 14 also have mutually abutting large plate protrusions 13a and auxiliary plate protrusions 14a at the auxiliary plate pivot 12. A tension spring 15 is also provided between the large plate 13 and the auxiliary plate 14. The valve housing 1 is hinged to a first connecting rod 2. The first connecting rod 2 is hinged to a second connecting rod 4 via a first connecting rod output pivot 3. The second connecting rod 4 is hinged to a small plate 6 via a second connecting rod output pivot 5. The small plate 6 is hinged to a third connecting rod 9 via a small plate output pivot 8. The third connecting rod 9 is hinged to the large plate 13 via a third connecting rod output pivot 11.

[0030] The aforementioned valve housing 1 has a vent sidewall with a conversion pin 16 and a guide groove 14c on the side of the bottom surface of the auxiliary plate 14. When the auxiliary plate 14 rotates 90° around the large plate pivot 10, the guide groove 14c abuts against the conversion pin 16.

[0031] In the initial state, the torque generated by the tension spring 15 on the auxiliary plate 14 is opposite in direction to the torque generated by the tension spring 15 on the auxiliary plate 14 when the conversion pin 16 is located at the bottom of the guide groove 14c.

[0032] The aforementioned large plate 13 has large plate sidewalls 13c on both sides of its bottom surface.

[0033] Under normal circumstances, such as Figure 3 As shown, the exhaust valve acts as an exhaust passage. By driving the first link 2, which in turn drives the second link 4 and the third link 9, it rotates the large and small plates, changing the exhaust passage area, adjusting the exhaust flow rate, and controlling the cabin pressure. The implementation steps are as follows: The first link 2 acts as the drive, rotating clockwise as shown in the diagram. This rotation drives the second link 4 via the first link output shaft 3. The second link 4, through the second link output shaft 5, pushes the small plate 6 to rotate clockwise around the small plate shaft 7 to open. The movement of the small plate, through the small plate output shaft 8, drives the third link. The third link 9, through the third link output shaft 11, drives the large plate 13 to rotate clockwise around the large plate shaft 10 to open. The auxiliary plate 14 is connected to the large plate 13 via the auxiliary plate shaft 12. Two tension springs 15 are installed between the auxiliary plate 14 and the main plate 13. One end of the tension spring 15 is fixed to the tension spring mounting boss 13b on the main plate, and the other end is fixed to the tension spring mounting boss 14b on the auxiliary plate. The tension spring 15 has a certain preload during installation, which presses the auxiliary plate protrusion 14a on the auxiliary plate 14 against the main plate protrusion 13a, so that the auxiliary plate 14 is tightly against the main plate protrusion under normal conditions. Therefore, when the exhaust valve is used as an exhaust channel, the exhaust channel is divided into two areas, one of which is the channel between the main plate 13 and the valve housing 1. Figure 3 (Left side), and secondly, the channel between large board 13 and small board 6 ( Figure 3 (Right side), the opening of the large board 13 is 0 ( Figure 2 )~90° ( Figure 4 The auxiliary plate 14 is always parallel to the large plate 13, and its projection on the flow area is very small, reducing the influence of the auxiliary plate 14 on the exhaust channel.

[0034] When the exhaust valve is fully open, the opening degree of the large plate 13 is 90°, such as Figure 4 As shown, at this time, the auxiliary plate guide grooves 14c on both sides of the auxiliary plate 14 are in contact with the conversion pin 16.

[0035] In the event of an engine or bleed air system malfunction, the exhaust valve will remain open, and the main plate 13 will rotate clockwise, with an opening exceeding 90° up to 120°. The auxiliary plate 14, due to the action of the tension spring 15, will be in contact with the main plate 13 and will rotate around the main plate pivot 10. Since the auxiliary plate guide grooves 14c on both sides of the auxiliary plate 14 are in contact with the conversion pin 16, the conversion pin 16 applies a reaction force to the auxiliary plate 14. Under the combined action of the driving force of the main plate 13 and the reaction force of the auxiliary plate 14, the auxiliary plate 14 overcomes the tension of the tension spring, causing it to rotate around the auxiliary plate pivot 12. The rotational speed of the auxiliary plate 14 is greater than that of the main plate 13. During rotation, the tension vector of the tension spring 15 will cross the line connecting the auxiliary plate pivot 12 and the main plate tension spring mounting boss 13b. The torque generated by the tension spring 15 on the auxiliary plate 14 will reverse direction, becoming the same as the torque generated by the driving force of the main plate 13. This will reduce the required driving torque of the main plate 13.

[0036] like Figure 5 As shown, when the large plate 13 is open to 120°, one side of the large plate sidewall 13c enters the interior of the valve housing 1, while the other side is perpendicular to the direction of atmospheric airflow. Since the large plate 13 forms a 30° acute angle with the airflow direction, high-speed airflow near the skin will be introduced into the cockpit during aircraft flight. The large plate sidewall 13c prevents airflow from flowing out from both sides, thus improving intake efficiency. Figure 5 As shown, the auxiliary plate 14 will cover the passage between the large plate 13 and the small plate 6 to prevent cabin air from flowing out to the outside atmosphere through this passage.

[0037] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention, and these modifications or substitutions should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A plate valve type exhaust valve for ram air inlet, characterized in that, The valve includes a valve housing (1), and the vent of the valve housing (1) is provided with a large plate (13), a small plate (6), and an auxiliary plate (14); the large plate (13) is hinged to the valve housing (1) via a large plate pivot (10), the small plate (6) is hinged to the valve housing (1) via a small plate pivot (7), and the auxiliary plate (14) is located above the large plate (13) and is hinged to the large plate via an auxiliary plate pivot (12); the large plate (13) and the auxiliary plate (14) also have mutually abutting large plate protrusions (11) at the auxiliary plate pivot (12). 3a) and auxiliary plate protrusion (14a), a tension spring (15) is also provided between the large plate (13) and the auxiliary plate (14); the valve housing (1) is hinged to the first connecting rod (2), the first connecting rod (2) is hinged to the second connecting rod (4) via the first connecting rod output shaft (3), the second connecting rod (4) is hinged to the small plate (6) via the second connecting rod output shaft (5), the small plate (6) is hinged to the third connecting rod (9) via the small plate output shaft (8), and the third connecting rod (9) is hinged to the large plate (13) via the third connecting rod output shaft (11).

2. The plate valve type exhaust valve for pressurized air inlet according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ventilation port sidewall of the valve housing (1) is provided with a conversion pin (16), and the side of the bottom surface of the auxiliary plate (14) is provided with a guide groove (14c). When the auxiliary plate (14) rotates 90° around the large plate pivot (10), the guide groove (14c) abuts against the conversion pin (16).

3. The plate valve type exhaust valve for pressurized air inlet according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the initial state, the torque generated by the tension spring (15) on the auxiliary plate (14) is opposite in direction to the torque generated by the tension spring (15) on the auxiliary plate (14) when the change pin (16) is located at the bottom of the guide groove (14c).

4. The plate valve type exhaust valve for pressurized air inlet according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom surface of the large plate (13) is provided with large plate sidewalls (13c).

5. A method of using a plate valve type exhaust valve as described in any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, Under normal conditions, the vent of the valve housing (1) is used as an exhaust channel; under the linkage of the first, second and third links, the large and small plates rotate in opposite directions around the large and small plate axes respectively; at the same time, under the action of the tension spring (15), the large plate protrusion (13a) and the auxiliary plate protrusion (14a) are always close together so that the auxiliary plate (14) rotates synchronously with the large plate (13).

6. The method of use according to claim 5, characterized in that, When the vent of the valve housing (1) is used as an exhaust channel, the rotation angle of the large plate (13) is 0° to 90°.

7. The method of use according to claim 5, characterized in that, When the engine or bleed air system fails, the vent of the valve housing (1) is used as a bleed air passage. At this time, the rotation angle of the large plate (13) around the large plate pivot (10) is greater than 90°. The shovel-shaped structure formed by the large plate (13) and the large plate side wall (13c) guides the airflow into the cabin along the vent located in front of the large plate (13). Under the action of the guide groove (14c) and the conversion pin (16), the large plate protrusion (13a) and the auxiliary plate protrusion (14a) disengage. At the same time, the auxiliary plate (14) rotates around the auxiliary plate pivot (12) to close the vent located behind the large plate (13).

8. The method of use according to claim 7, characterized in that, When the vent of the valve housing (1) is used as an air intake channel, the maximum rotation angle of the large plate (13) around the large plate pivot (10) is 120°.

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