Module for aircraft comprising dihydroprocessing system

Abstract

The invention relates to a module (200) for an aircraft, the module comprising: a sealed housing (202) comprising a wall (205) defining an interior volume (203); a treatment system (204) intended to treat dihydrogen, fixed on the inside of the housing (202); an inlet port (210) connected to the internal volume (203) and equipped with a first shut-off valve (212); an outlet port (206) connected to the internal volume (203) and equipped with a second shut-off valve (208); and beads filling the interior volume (203). In such an arrangement, the beads fill the internal volume such that less space is left for dihydros when a leak occurs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a module comprising a casing containing a dihydrogen treatment system for supplying an aircraft engine, wherein the casing is filled with beads, a method for filling a module, and an aircraft comprising at least one such module. Background Art

[0002] In order to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from aircraft engines, it is known in the art to use dihydrogen as a fuel. The aircraft then comprises a dihydrogen tank and at least one engine powered by said dihydrogen via lines extending in the aircraft between the tank and each engine, on which dihydrogen handling systems such as pumps, heaters and valves are installed.

[0003] If an accident occurs in the supply line between the tank and the engine, safety must be ensured. For this purpose, various safety systems are known in the art.

[0004] While this arrangement is effective, it is still necessary to limit the volume of dihydrogen that would escape in the event of an accident. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to propose an aircraft module comprising a housing in which a dihydrogen treatment system is arranged, wherein the housing is filled with beads so as to reduce the space available for dihydrogen in the event of a leak.

[0006] To this end, a module for an aircraft is proposed, the module comprising:

[0007] - a sealed housing comprising a wall defining an interior volume;

[0008] - a treatment system, which is designed to treat dihydrogen and is fixed on the inside of the shell;

[0009] an inlet port fluidly connected to the inner volume and equipped with a first shut-off valve;

[0010] an outlet port fluidly connected to the inner volume and equipped with a second shut-off valve; and

[0011] - Beads, which fill the interior volume.

[0012] The presence of the beads means that there is less space available for dihydrogen in the event of a leak within the housing, which limits the amount of dihydrogen that can be present within the housing.

[0013] Advantageously, the module comprises a membrane arranged in the internal volume and fixed to a wall on one side of the treatment system, the membrane defining the internal volume into a first sub-volume and a second sub-volume, the treatment system being arranged in the second sub-volume, wherein the inlet port opens directly into the first sub-volume and the outlet port opens directly into the first sub-volume.

[0014] Advantageously, the module comprises a suction port, which is fluidically connected to the second subvolume and is equipped with a third shut-off valve.

[0015] Advantageously, the membrane and its fixing to the wall are sealed. Advantageously, the bead is sealed.

[0016] Advantageously, the beads are glass beads.

[0017] The present invention also proposes a method for filling a module according to any of the above-mentioned variants, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

[0018] - providing a shell without beads;

[0019] - Open the first block valve, the second block valve and the third block valve when they exist;

[0020] - Introducing beads through the inlet port until the housing is filled;

[0021] - stopping the introduction of beads; and

[0022] - when the first shutoff valve, the second shutoff valve and the third shutoff valve are present, closing them;

[0023] Advantageously, when the outlet port and the suction port are present, the outlet port and the suction port are fluidly connected to a vacuum pump.

[0024] The invention also proposes an aircraft comprising a dihydrogen tank, an engine and at least one module according to any of the previous variants, the module being fluidically connected between the tank and the engine. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The above and other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description of exemplary embodiments, which is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 is a side view of an aircraft according to the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a module according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a module according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

[0029] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Exploded view of the modules in . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In the following description, position-related terms refer to the aircraft in its normal flight position, i.e. Figure 1 The aircraft shown.

[0031] In the following description, by convention, X refers to the longitudinal direction of the aircraft, Y refers to the lateral direction, which is horizontal when the aircraft is on the ground, and Z refers to the vertical direction, which is vertical when the aircraft is on the ground. These three directions X, Y and Z are orthogonal to each other.

[0032] Figure 1 An aircraft 100 is shown having a fuselage 102 to each side of which are fixed wings 104, the wings 104 carrying at least one engine 106 running on dihydrogen as fuel. Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the engine 106 is a propeller engine, such as an electric motor powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, but any other type of engine is contemplated.

[0033] Arrow F indicates the forward direction of the aircraft 100 .

[0034] The aircraft 100 comprises at least one tank 110 in which dihydrogen is preferably stored in liquid form. In the embodiment of the invention, the tank 110 is arranged at the rear of the fuselage 102, but it can also be at different locations. The aircraft 100 also comprises at least one module 200, which is fluidically connected, in particular by means of a main line 152, between the tank 110 and the engine 106, which is itself fluidically connected between the tank 110 and the engine 106 to be supplied.

[0035] The module 200 is mounted on the main line 152 in a sealed manner, which means that the main line 152 passes through the module 200 from one side to the other side. Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, there is only one module 200 , but several other modules may be arranged one behind the other along the main line 152 .

[0036] Figure 2 2 shows a module 200 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 and Figure 4 A module 200 according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown.

[0037] In the first and second embodiments, the module 200 includes a housing 202 including a wall 205 defining an interior volume 203. The housing 202 is sealed to prevent the dihydrogen present in the housing 202 from diffusing to the outside of the housing 202.

[0038] The main line 152 passes through one of the walls 205 from the tank 110 and through one of the walls 205 to the engine 106. A passage through each wall 205 of the main line 152 is formed in a sealed manner using suitable means known to those skilled in the art.

[0039] The module 200 also comprises a treatment system 204 which treats the dihydrogen flowing in the main line 152 passing through the housing 202. Such a treatment system 204 is for example a pump, a heater or a valve or something else, or a collection of several of these components.

[0040] The processing system 204 is fixed inside the housing 202, in particular by being fixed to the wall 205 by any suitable fixing means such as a screw-nut system, rivets or the like.

[0041] Placing the treatment system 204 within the housing 202 allows the dihydrogen to be contained within the housing 202 in the event of a leak in the treatment system 204 .

[0042] The housing 202 is at least partially filled with beads 214, particularly glass beads having a diameter of about 30 microns to 125 microns. Each bead 214 is preferably sealed to prevent dihydrogen from entering therein.

[0043] Thus, the beads 214 fill the internal volume 203 around the treatment system 204, and depending on the degree of filling of the internal volume 203, the space remaining for dihydrogen in the event of a leak is reduced by the same amount.

[0044] In order to allow the filling of the housing 202 with beads 214, the module 200 comprises an inlet port 210 fluidly connected to the internal volume 203 through the wall 205. In order to allow or prevent the passage of the beads 214, the inlet port 210 is equipped with a first shut-off valve 212, which can thus be manipulated between an open position, in which the beads 214 can pass through the inlet port 210, and a closed position, in which the beads 214 cannot pass through the inlet port 210.

[0045] In order to allow the air present in the housing 202 to escape during the filling of the housing 202 with the beads 214, the module 200 comprises an outlet port 206 fluidly connected to the internal volume 203 through the wall 205. In order to allow or prevent the passage of air, the outlet port 206 is equipped with a second shut-off valve 208, which can thus be manipulated between an open position, in which air can pass through the outlet port 206, and a closed position, in which air cannot pass through the outlet port 206.

[0046] Thus, with this arrangement, it is easy to fill the housing 202 with beads 214, thereby limiting the volume available for dihydrogen in the event of a leak.

[0047] To ensure sealing of the housing 202, the shut-off valves 208 and 212 are gas-tight and hydrogen-tight in the closed position.

[0048] In the second embodiment of the invention, the module 200 further comprises a membrane 302 arranged in the internal volume 203 and fixed to the wall 205 .

[0049] The membrane 302 is arranged at one side of the treatment system 204 and it delimits the inner volume 203 into a first sub-volume 203 a at one side of the membrane 302 and a second sub-volume 203 b at the other side of the membrane 302 .

[0050] The processing system 204 is arranged in the second sub-volume 203b.

[0051] The inlet port 210 opens directly into the first subvolume 203a and the outlet port 206 opens directly into the first subvolume 203a.

[0052] In a second embodiment of the invention, the module 200 further comprises a suction port 230 fluidically connected to the second subvolume 203 b through the wall 205. In order to allow or prevent the passage of air, the suction port 230 is equipped with a third shut-off valve 232, which can thus be manipulated between an open position, in which air can pass through the suction port 230, and a closed position, in which air cannot pass through the suction port 230.

[0053] To help the beads 214 occupy as much space as possible and thereby remove air present in the second subvolume 203 b , an artificial vacuum may be created in the second subvolume 203 b by fluidly connecting the suction port 230 to a vacuum pump 234 .

[0054] The installation of the membrane 302 allows the beads 214 of the separation treatment system 204. In fact, thanks to this configuration, the beads 214 will fill the first sub-volume 203a without entering the second sub-volume 203b.

[0055] The flexibility of the membrane 302 enables it to best match the shape of the processing system 204 .

[0056] In both embodiments, the method of filling the module 200 comprises the following steps:

[0057] - providing the housing 202 without beads 214 and filled with air;

[0058] - Open the first shut-off valve 208 and the second shut-off valve 212;

[0059] - introducing beads 214 through the inlet port 210 until the housing 202 is filled, in particular to the desired filling level, during which the air present in the housing 202 is discharged through the outlet port 206;

[0060] - stopping the introduction of beads 214; and

[0061] - Closing the first shut-off valve 208 and the second shut-off valve 212 closes the housing 202 in a sealed manner.

[0062] The reverse process may be performed to remove the beads 214 .

[0063] As beads 214 gradually occupy interior volume 203, air naturally leaves housing 202. To help beads 214 occupy as much space as possible, an artificial vacuum may be created in housing 202 by fluidly connecting outlet port 206 to vacuum pump 216.

[0064] In a first embodiment, the outlet port 206 is arranged such that the beads 214 cannot exit through said outlet port 206 , for example by fitting a filter.

[0065] In the second embodiment, as previously described, the membrane 302 is sucked by the vacuum pump 234 and pressed against the processing system 204. To ensure that the vacuum does not spread to the first subvolume 203a, the membrane 302 and its fixing to the wall 205 are sealed.

[0066] The vacuum pump 234 is connected to the suction port 230 before the third shutoff valve 232 is opened, and is disconnected from the suction port 230 after the third shutoff valve 232 is closed.

[0067] The step of starting the filling process then further comprises opening the third shut-off valve 232 , and the step of ending the filling process then further comprises closing the third shut-off valve 232 .

[0068] exist Figures 2 to 4In the embodiment of the invention shown, the housing 202 consists of two shells 202a-202b, each of which carries, in this example, an inlet port 210 and an outlet port 206, wherein the other carries a processing system 204 and a suction port 230. The two shells 202a-202b are fixed to each other in a sealed manner by any suitable fixing means 218, such as a screw-nut system, rivets or the like.

[0069] In the embodiment of the present invention proposed herein, each housing 202a-202b has a flange 219a-219b extending around the periphery of the shell 202a-202b, the flange 219a-219b is opposite to the flange 219b-219a of another housing 202b-202a, and the fixing device 218 fixes the flanges 219a-219b together.

[0070] In order to ensure sealing between the two housings 202a - 202b , a gasket 220 is arranged between them, more specifically between the flanges 219a - 219b in this example.

[0071] exist Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the membrane 302 is also disposed with the gasket 220 between the flanges 219a-219b.

[0072] In another embodiment not shown, the membrane 302 can be glued to the inner face of the wall 205 , more specifically to the inner face of the housing 202 b carrying the suction port 230 in this case.

[0073] In the second embodiment of the invention with two housings 202a-202b, the step of providing a module 200 with an empty housing 202 comprises providing two housings 202a-202b respectively, arranging and fixing the membrane 302 and the gasket 220, and fixing the two housings 202a-202b to each other in a sealed manner.

[0074] The installation and fixing of the membrane 302 and the gasket 220 include, for example, placing them between the two housings 202a-202b before fixing the housings 202a-202b together, or fixing the membrane 302 in the housing 202b carrying the suction port 230 and fixing the gasket 220 between the two housings 202a-202b before fixing the housings 202a-202b together.

Claims

1. A module (200) for an aircraft (100), the module (200) comprising: - a sealed housing (202) comprising a wall (205) defining an internal volume (203); a treatment system (204) intended for treating dihydrogen, said treatment system being fixed on the inside of said housing (202); - an inlet port (210) fluidically connected to the internal volume (203) and equipped with a first shut-off valve (212); - an outlet port (206) fluidly connected to the internal volume (203) and equipped with a second shut-off valve (208); as well as - Beads (214), said beads filling said internal volume (203).

2. The module (200) according to claim 1, characterized in that The module comprises a membrane (302) arranged in the internal volume (203) and fixed to an upper wall (205) on one side of the treatment system (204), the membrane defining the internal volume into a first sub-volume (203a) and a second sub-volume (203b), the treatment system (204) being arranged in the second sub-volume, wherein the inlet port (210) opens directly into the first sub-volume (203a), and the outlet port opens directly into the first sub-volume (203a).

3. The module (200) according to claim 2, characterized in that The module comprises a suction port (230) which is fluidically connected to the second subvolume (203b) and is equipped with a third shut-off valve (232).

4. The module (200) according to claim 2, characterized in that The membrane (302) and its fixation to the wall (205) are sealed.

5. The module (200) according to claim 1, characterized in that The beads (214) are sealed.

6. The module (200) according to claim 1, characterized in that The beads (214) are glass beads.

7. A method for filling a module (200) according to claim 1, wherein: The method comprises the following steps: - providing the housing (202) without beads (214); - when the first shut-off valve (208), the second shut-off valve (212) and the third shut-off valve (232) are present, opening them; - introducing beads (214) through the inlet port (210) until the housing (202) is filled; - stopping the introduction of said beads (214); and - When the first shut-off valve (208), the second shut-off valve (212) and the third shut-off valve (232) are present, they are closed.

8. The method for filling according to claim 7, characterized in that When present, the outlet port (206) and the suction port (230) are fluidly connected to a vacuum pump (216, 234).

9. An aircraft (100) comprising a dihydrogen tank (110), an engine (106) and at least one module (200) according to claim 1, the module being fluidically connected between the tank (110) and the engine (106).

Images