Valve for limiting a pressure in a cabin of an aircraft, and valve system

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve (10) for limitation in a cabin of an aircraft, comprising: a housing (12), which has an outlet opening (14) for a fluid flow between the cabin and a surrounding region and which can be arranged in an aperture in a skin of the aircraft; a flap device (16) which is pivotably mounted in the housing (12) and which closes the outlet opening (14) in a closed position and opens the outlet opening (14) in an open position; and a measuring apparatus (18) for measuring a differential pressure between the cabin (102) and the surrounding region, wherein the measuring apparatus (18) comprises at least one measuring line (22) having at least one inlet opening (24), and wherein the inlet opening (24) is arranged inside the valve (10) in the closed position of the flap device (16). The invention also relates to a valve system (110) for limiting a pressure in a cabin (102) of an aircraft (100), comprising at least two valves (10a, 10b) of this kind.

Description

[0001] Valve for limiting pressure in an aircraft cabin and valve system

[0002] The present invention relates to a valve for limiting pressure in a cabin of an aircraft, comprising a housing having an outlet opening for a fluid flow between the cabin and the environment and which can be arranged in a passage of an outer skin of the aircraft, a flap device pivotably mounted in the housing, which closes the outlet opening in a closed position and releases the outlet opening in an open position, and a measuring device for measuring the ambient pressure. Furthermore, the invention relates to a valve system for limiting pressure in a cabin of an aircraft, comprising at least two such valves.

[0003] Aircraft have a pressurized cabin, such as a passenger cabin, in which the air pressure is higher than the ambient pressure. The pressure in the cabin is regulated by so-called exhaust valves, which are located in the outer skin of the aircraft. The exhaust valves control the outflow of air from the cabin to maintain the positive pressure in the cabin. In addition, there are safety valves that take over the function of the exhaust valves in the event of a fault and protect the cabin from overpressure or underpressure and a dangerous situation. Such valves are also called pressure relief valves (PRV).

[0004] To limit the pressure, the valve has a measuring device with at least one differential pressure sensor, which is connected to a pressure line or measuring line for measuring the internal pressure in the cabin and to another pressure line or measuring line for measuring the ambient pressure. To measure the ambient pressure, the measuring line has an inlet opening serving as a measuring point, which is arranged on an underside of the valve facing the environment. The disadvantage of this arrangement is that, due to the installation position of the inlet opening of the measuring line, water or moisture can penetrate the measuring line, for example when cleaning or de-icing the aircraft. This can lead to a failure of the pressure measurement and ultimately to a failure of the valve.

[0005] To circumvent this disadvantage, EP 4 112 472 A1 proposes pressure compensation valves that are connected to a sensor body and the environment via a measuring line. To prevent damage to the pressure compensation valves due to water ingress into the measuring line, a valve is incorporated into the measuring line.

[0006] The present invention is based on the object of creating a valve which proposes an alternative solution to the prior art for preventing damage and failure of the valve.

[0007] To solve the problem, a valve having the features of claim 1 and a valve system having the features of claim 12 are proposed.

[0008] Advantageous embodiments of the valve are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, a valve for limiting pressure in a cabin of an aircraft is proposed. The valve comprises a housing having an outlet opening for a fluid flow between the cabin and the environment and which can be arranged in a passage on an outer skin of the aircraft, a flap device pivotably mounted in the housing, which closes the outlet opening in a closed position and releases the outlet opening in an open position, and a measuring device for measuring a differential pressure between the cabin and the environment, wherein the measuring device has at least one measuring line with at least one inlet opening, and wherein the inlet opening is arranged within the valve in the closed position of the flap device. The valve is characterized by the arrangement of the inlet opening of the measuring line within the valve.This effectively prevents water or moisture from entering the measuring line. This prevents incorrect pressure measurements and valve failure, ensuring correct pressure monitoring during valve operation. Furthermore, damage to the measuring device due to water or moisture entering the measuring line is avoided.

[0010] The cabin of the aircraft may be designed as a pressurized cabin for passengers, cargo or the like.

[0011] In an advantageous embodiment, an annular flange forms the outlet opening, wherein the flap device is pivotally mounted within the outlet opening.

[0012] The flap device can have at least one flap that is pivotably mounted in the housing. Advantageously, the flap device has two flaps that are pivotably mounted in the housing.

[0013] The measuring line can have a passage that connects the inlet opening to the measuring device. In an advantageous embodiment, the measuring line has at least two or more inlet openings that are connected to the passage. The measuring line can also be referred to as a pressure line.

[0014] The measuring device can have a pressure sensor for measuring a differential pressure between the cabin and the environment, which is fluidically connected to the measuring line, in particular the passage of the measuring line, with the environment. In particular, the inlet opening of the measuring line is fluidically connected to the environment for measuring the differential pressure. The inlet opening thus serves as a measuring point or pressure measuring point for measuring the differential pressure. Since the flap device is not hermetically sealed, the ambient pressure can still be measured when the flap device is closed. In an advantageous embodiment, the inlet opening of the measuring line is arranged behind the flap device or below the flap device in the closed position.By covering the inlet opening of the measuring line and thus the pressure measuring point behind the flap device or below the flap device in the closed position, the penetration of water and moisture is prevented.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, the measuring device has a decoupling device designed to fluidically decouple the inlet opening from the fluid flow when the flap device is in the open position. When the valve is activated, the flap device opens the outlet opening, and air flows from the cabin into the environment. Due to the resulting pressure change at the inlet opening or measuring point around which the air flows, the measured pressure deviates from the actual ambient pressure, and malfunctions occur, for example, premature closure of the valve. To prevent this malfunction, the decoupling device ensures that the inlet opening of the measuring line is decoupled from the fluid flow of the outlet jet. This ensures correct measurement of the ambient pressure.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, the decoupling device has a kinematics which is coupled to the flap device and the measuring line and which is configured to guide the inlet opening of the measuring line out of the valve when the flap device is pivoted into the open position. When the flap device is opened, the kinematics guide the measuring line and thus the inlet opening out of the valve, in particular pivots them out. As a result, when the valve or flap device is open, the inlet opening or the measuring point is located outside the fluid flow of the outlet jet, thus ensuring correct measurement of the ambient pressure. Advantageously, the kinematics pivots the measuring line out of the valve. The kinematics can be driven to guide, in particular pivot, the measuring line out of the valve.For example, the kinematics can be connected to a drive device, such as an electric motor. In an advantageous embodiment, the kinematics has a lever arm that is coupled to the measuring line and the flap device. By means of the lever arm, the measuring line is guided, in particular pivoted, out of the valve when the flap device is opened. To couple the lever arm to the measuring line and the flap device, the measuring line and the flap device can have a fastening device. The fastening device can be formed from two spaced-apart jaws that accommodate an end section of the lever arm between them. Furthermore, the jaws and the end sections of the lever arm can advantageously be provided with through-openings through which a fastening means, such as a screw bolt, can be passed to fasten the lever arm to the measuring line and the flap device.To secure the fastening means in the through-openings, a nut can be screwed onto the fastening means, in particular onto a section of the fastening means protruding from the through-opening.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the measuring line is pivotable, with the measuring line pivoting out of the valve when the flap device is in the open position. The pivoting mobility of the measuring line allows the inlet opening to be decoupled from the fluid flow, ensuring accurate measurement of the ambient pressure. To pivot the measuring line, the measuring line can be connected to a drive device, a driven kinematic system, or the lever arm of the decoupling device.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, the measuring device has a pivoting device that mounts the measuring line in the housing so that it can pivot. The pivoting device ensures that the measuring line can pivot. In combination with the decoupling device, the pivoting device enables the measuring line to pivot out of the valve when the flap device is opened. Advantageously, the pivoting device forms the pivot axis about which the measuring line can pivot. Furthermore, the pivoting device is advantageously mounted in the housing. In an advantageous embodiment, the pivoting device has a bolt with a fluid channel that is pivotally mounted in the housing, wherein the measuring line is fluidically coupled to the fluid channel. The bolt thus forms the axis of rotation for the measuring line, about which the same is pivoted.Advantageously, the bolt has a head portion and a shaft portion in which a fluid channel is incorporated. The bolt, in particular the shaft portion, can be guided through openings formed in ribs of the housing.

[0019] Advantageously, the measuring line is connected to the bolt in a form-fitting, force-fitting, and / or material-fitting manner. For example, the measuring line can be provided with a receiving opening at the end into which the bolt is inserted, in particular pressed. Consequently, the measuring line surrounds the bolt in the area of ​​the fluidic connection to the fluid channel.

[0020] Advantageously, the measuring line has a first lever section into which the passage channel extends. The first lever section can have a receiving opening at its end, into which the passage channel opens and into which the bolt, in particular the shaft section, is inserted, in particular pressed, in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner. Advantageously, the measuring line, in particular the first lever section, surrounds the bolt, in particular the shaft section, wherein an annular channel can be formed between the bolt, in particular the shaft section, and the first lever section, which annular channel can be connected to the inlet channel, for example via at least one bore or at least one hole.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, a plurality of holes are provided in the bolt, fluidically connecting the fluid channel to the measuring line. The fluid channel is fluidically connected to the measuring line via these holes. Advantageously, several holes are provided in the bolt, particularly in the shaft section, through which the annular channel and thus the passage channel are fluidly connected to the fluid channel.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment, the pivoting device has two bearings that pivotally mount the bolt in the housing. The bolt can rotate within the housing via the bearings. Advantageously, the bearings are designed as bearing bushes. The bearing bushes can have a collar portion and / or a sleeve portion. The bearing bushes can be inserted, in particular pressed, into openings in the housing in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner. Advantageously, the sleeve portions are inserted into the openings in such a way that the collar portions are arranged between the head portion of the bolt or the connecting piece and the housing.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment, the bolt has a connecting piece for connecting the measuring line to a pressure sensor of the measuring device. A sensor, in particular a pressure sensor, is coupled to the inlet opening or the measuring point of the measuring line via the connecting piece. Advantageously, the fluid channel opens into the connecting piece, which can be pushed or pressed onto the bolt, in particular onto the shaft section. The pressure sensor serves to measure a differential pressure between an environment and the cabin. The pressure sensor is advantageously an absolute pressure sensor.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment, the decoupling device has a cover which, when the flap device is in the open position, closes a recess in the housing in which the measuring line is arranged when the flap device is in the closed position. The cover effectively closes the recess in which the measuring line is located when the flap device is closed. As a result, no turbulence occurs in the outflowing air when the flap device is in the open position. In an advantageous embodiment, the cover is connected to the decoupling device in a form-fitting, force-fitting and / or material-fitting manner. As a result, the cover pivots together with the decoupling device. In an advantageous embodiment, the cover is designed as a baffle.

[0025] According to a further aspect of the invention, a valve system for limiting pressure in a cabin of an aircraft is proposed. The valve system comprises at least two valves according to the invention, wherein a measuring line of the first valve is connected to a pressure sensor of the second valve, and wherein a measuring line of the second valve is connected to a pressure sensor of the first valve.

[0026] In the valve system according to the invention, the measuring lines are connected crosswise, with the measuring line of the first valve connected to the pressure sensor of the second valve, which serves as the monitoring unit, and vice versa. This allows undesired interference during pressure measurement to be compensated for at the moment the measuring line pivots open.

[0027] Below, a valve system, a valve, and other features and advantages are explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment shown schematically in the figures. Here:

[0028] Fig. 1 is a side view of a front part of an aircraft with a valve system;

[0029] Fig. 2 is a perspective top view of a valve of the valve system according to a first embodiment, wherein a flap device of the valve is in an open position and a measuring line is pivoted out of the valve;

[0030] Fig. 3 is a cross-section through the valve of Fig. 2 with the flap device in a closed position and the measuring line inside the valve;

[0031] Fig. 4 is a cross-section through the valve along the line III-III in Fig. 2;

[0032] Fig. 5 shows a cross section through the measuring line and through a pivoting device of the measuring line along the line VV in Fig. 2;

[0033] Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of the valve system of Fig. 1 with two valves according to Fig. 5; and

[0034] Fig. 7 shows a cross-section through a valve according to a second embodiment with the flap device in the open position and the measuring line pivoted out. Fig. 1 shows an aircraft 100 with a cabin 102. A valve system 110 is provided to limit the pressure in the cabin 102.

[0035] The valve system 100 comprises two valves 10 that are cross-connected via measuring lines 112. One measuring line 112 of the first valve 10a is connected to a pressure sensor 114 of the second valve 10b, and one measuring line 112 of the second valve 10b is connected to a pressure sensor 114 of the first valve 10a, as shown in Fig. 6. This allows for the compensation of unwanted interference effects during pressure measurement at the moment the valves 10a, 10b open. The two pressure sensors 114 are differential pressure sensors.

[0036] With the help of Figures 2 to 5, the identical valves 10a, 10b are explained in more detail below using a valve 10 as an example.

[0037] The valve 10 has a housing 12 which has an outlet opening 14 for a fluid flow between the cabin 102 and an environment and which can be arranged in an outer skin 104 of the aircraft 100, a flap device 16 which is pivotally mounted in the housing 12 and which closes the outlet opening 14 in a closed position and releases the outlet opening 14 in an open position, and a measuring device 18 for measuring an ambient pressure.

[0038] The housing 12 has an annular flange 19 connected to a circumferential wall 21. The housing 12 is connected to the outer skin 104 of the aircraft 100 via the annular flange 19. The annular flange 19 forms the outlet opening 14 through which, when the flap device 16 is in the open position, air can flow from the cabin 102 into the environment to ensure a differential pressure range between the cabin 102 and the environment.

[0039] The flap device 16 has two flaps 20, which are pivotally mounted within the annular flange 19 facing the environment. In the closed position of the flap device 16, the flaps 20 close the outlet opening 14, as shown in Fig. 3. In the open position of the flap device 16, the flaps 20 are pivoted outward and expose the outlet opening 14, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

[0040] The measuring device 18 has a measuring line 22 and the pressure sensor 114 for measuring the ambient pressure.

[0041] The measuring line 18 is designed as a rigid channel. The measuring line 18 has inlet openings 24 and a passage channel 26 connected to the inlet openings 24.

[0042] As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, the measuring line 22 is pivotable. For this purpose, the measuring device 18 has a pivoting device 28 that pivotably mounts the measuring line 22 in the housing 12.

[0043] The pivoting device 28 has a bolt 30, two bearings 29 which pivotally mount the bolt 30 in the housing 12, and a connecting piece 50 for connecting the measuring line 22 via the measuring line 112 to the pressure sensor 114, as can be seen in Fig. 6.

[0044] As can be seen particularly in Fig. 5, the bolt 30 has a head portion 31, a shaft portion 33, and a fluid channel 32 formed in the shaft portion 33. The bolt 30, in particular the shaft portion 33, is guided through openings 34 formed in ribs 34 of the housing 12.

[0045] The bearings 29 are designed as bearing bushes 38, each of the bearing bushes 38 having a collar portion 40 and a bushing portion 42. As can be seen in Fig. 5, the bushing portions 42 are inserted into the openings 36 such that the collar portions 40 are arranged between the head portion 31 or the connecting piece 50 and the ribs 34. The bolt 30, in particular the shaft portion 33, is inserted, in particular pressed, into the bushing portions 42 in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner.

[0046] The measuring line 22 is connected at its end to the bolt 30; in particular, the passage channel 26 is fluidically connected to the fluid channel 32. For this purpose, the measuring line 22 has a first lever section 43 into which the passage channel 26 extends. The first lever section 43 has a receiving opening 44 at its end, into which the passage channel 26 opens and into which the bolt 30, in particular the shaft section 33, is inserted, in particular pressed, in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner. As a result, the measuring line 22, in particular the first lever section 43, surrounds the bolt 30, in particular the shaft section 33, wherein an annular channel 46 is formed between the bolt 30, in particular the shaft section 33, and the first lever section 43, which is connected to the inlet channel 26.For this purpose, a plurality of holes 48 are provided in the bolt 30, particularly in the shaft portion 33, through which the annular channel 46 and the passage channel 26 are in fluid communication with the fluid channel 32, as can be seen from a synopsis of Figures 3 to 5. As a result, the inlet openings 24 are connected to the pressure sensor 114 via the passage channel 26, the annular channel 46, the holes 48, the fluid channel 32, the connecting piece 50, and the measuring line 113.

[0047] The fluid channel 32 opens into the connecting piece 50, which is pushed, in particular pressed, onto the bolt 30, in particular onto the shaft section 33.

[0048] In order to protect the inlet openings 24 from the ingress of water and moisture, the inlet openings 24 are arranged in the closed position of the flap device 16 within the valve 10, in particular behind the flaps 20, as can be seen in Fig. 3.

[0049] When the flap device 16 is opened, the flaps 20 pivot outward and release the outlet opening 14, so that air flows from the cabin 102 into the environment. As a result of the resulting pressure change at the inlet openings 24 around which the air flows, the measured pressure may deviate from the true ambient pressure, and this may lead to malfunctions of the valve 10, for example, the valve 10 closing. To prevent this malfunction, the valve 10 has a decoupling device 52 designed to fluidically decouple the inlet openings 24 from the fluid flow when the flap device 16 is in the open position. For this purpose, the decoupling device 52 has a kinematics 54 in the form of a lever arm 56, which is connected to the measuring line 22 and one of the flaps 20.When the flap device 16 is pivoted into the open position, the measuring line 22 and in particular the inlet opening 24 are pivoted out of the valve 10 by the lever arm 56, as can be seen from a combination of Figures 2 to 4.

[0050] To connect the lever arm 56 to the measuring line 22, the latter has a second lever section 58, which has two jaws 60 at its ends, which are arranged relative to one another and are provided with through-openings 62, wherein the lever arm 56, in particular a first end 64 of the lever arm 56, is received between the jaws 60. The first end 64 has a through-opening 62 which, when received, is aligned with the bores 62. To connect the lever arm 56 to the measuring line 22, a screw bolt 68 is inserted into the through-openings 66, onto which a nut 70 is screwed at the end to secure the screw bolt 68 from falling out of the through-openings 66.

[0051] The lever arm 56 is connected to the flap 20 in a similar manner. As can be seen particularly in Figures 2 to 3, the flap 20 has two jaws 60 which are arranged relative to one another and are provided with through-openings 62, wherein the lever arm 56, in particular a second end 72 of the lever arm 56, is received between the jaws 60. The second end 72 has a through-opening 66 which, when received, is aligned with the bores 62. To connect the lever arm 56 to the flap 20, a screw bolt 68 is inserted into the through-openings 66, and a nut 70 is screwed onto the end of the screw bolt to secure the screw bolt 68 from falling out of the through-openings 66.

[0052] Fig. 7 shows a second embodiment of the valve 10, which differs from the first embodiment in that the decoupling device 52 has a cover 74 that closes a recess 76 of the housing 12 when the flap device 16 is in the open position. The cover 74 effectively closes the recess 76 in which the measuring line 22 is located when the flap device 16 is closed. As a result, no turbulence occurs in the outflowing air when the flap device 16 is in the open position.

[0053] As can be seen in Fig. 7, the cover 74 is designed as a guide plate 78 and is connected to the measuring line 22, in particular to the first lever section 43. Thus, the cover 74 pivots with the measuring line 22. In the closed position of the flap device 16, the cover 74 exposes the recess 76, so that the measuring line 22 is located in the recess 76. In the open position of the flap device 16, the cover 74 closes the recess 76, thus preventing turbulence in the outflowing air.

[0054] When the flap device 16 is closed, the valve 10 is characterized by the arrangement of the inlet openings 24 of the measuring line 22 within the valve 10. This effectively prevents the penetration of water or moisture into the measuring line 22. Furthermore, the valve 10 ensures correct pressure measurement when the flap device 16 is open, since the inlet openings 24 are decoupled from the fluid flow of the outlet jet by pivoting the measuring line 16, in particular the inlet openings 24, out of the valve 10 when the flap device 16 is opened.

[0055] List of reference symbols

[0056] Valve a first valve b second valve

[0057] Housing

[0058] Outlet opening flap device

[0059] measuring device

[0060] Ring flange

[0061] flap

[0062] wall

[0063] measuring line

[0064] Inlet opening

[0065] Passage channel

[0066] Swivel device bearing

[0067] bolt

[0068] Head section

[0069] Fluid channel

[0070] Shaft section

[0071] opening

[0072] rib

[0073] Bearing bush

[0074] collar section

[0075] Bushing section first lever section

[0076] Receiving opening

[0077] Ring canal

[0078] Hole

[0079] connecting piece

[0080] Decoupling device kinematics

[0081] Lever arm second lever section jaw

[0082] Through hole first end screw bolt

[0083] Mother's second ending

[0084] cover

[0085] recess

[0086] aircraft cabin outer skin

[0087] Ventilation system

[0088] measuring line

[0089] pressure sensor

Claims

Claims 1. A valve (10) for limiting a pressure in a cabin (102) of an aircraft (100), comprising a housing (12) which has an outlet opening (14) for a fluid flow between the cabin and an environment and which can be arranged in a passage on an outer skin of the aircraft, a flap device (16) which is pivotally mounted in the housing (12), which closes the outlet opening (14) in a closed position and which releases the outlet opening (14) in an open position, and a measuring device (18) for measuring a differential pressure between the cabin (102) and the environment, wherein the measuring device (18) has at least one measuring line (22) with at least one inlet opening (24), and wherein the inlet opening (24) is arranged within the valve (10) in the closed position of the flap device (16).

2. Valve (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the measuring device has a decoupling device (52) which is designed to fluidically decouple the inlet opening (24) from the fluid flow in the open position of the flap device (16).

3. Valve (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the decoupling device (52) has a kinematics (54) which is coupled to the flap device (16) and the measuring line (22) and which is designed to guide the inlet opening (24) of the measuring line (22) out of the valve (10) when the flap device (16) is pivoted into the open position.

4. Valve (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the kinematics (54) has a lever arm (56) which is coupled to the measuring line (22) and the flap device (16).

5. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the measuring line (22) is pivotable, wherein the measuring line (22) is pivoted out of the valve (10) in the open position of the flap device (16).

6. Valve (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the measuring device (18) has a pivoting device (28) which pivotably mounts the measuring line (22) in the housing (12).

7. Valve (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the pivoting device (28) has a bolt (30) with a fluid channel (32) which is pivotally mounted in the housing (12), wherein the measuring line (22) is fluidically coupled to the fluid channel (32).

8. Valve (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that a plurality of holes (48) are introduced into the bolt (30) which fluidically connect the fluid channel (32) to the measuring line (22).

9. Valve according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the pivoting device has two bearings (29) which pivotally mount the bolt (30) in the housing (12).

10. Valve (10) according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the bolt (30) has a connecting piece (50) for connecting the measuring line (22) to a pressure sensor of the measuring device (18).

11. Valve (10) according to one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the decoupling device (52) has a cover (74) which, in the open position of the flap device (16), closes a recess (76) of the housing (12), in which the measuring line (22) is arranged in the closed position of the flap device (16).

12. Valve system (110) for limiting a pressure in a cabin (102) of an aircraft (100), comprising at least two valves (10a, 10b) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a measuring line (112) of the first valve (10a) is connected to a pressure sensor (114) of the second valve (10b) and wherein a measuring line (112) of the second valve (10b) is connected to a pressure sensor (114) of the first valve (10b).

Images