Air sampling system for an aircraft

Abstract

The invention relates to an air intake system for an aircraft, comprising a first compressed air intake pipe (4) intended to be connected to an aircraft engine for drawing compressed air from the engine at a first pressure, referred to as the intermediate pressure, and a second compressed air intake pipe (3) intended to be connected to said engine for drawing compressed air from the engine at a second pressure, referred to as the high pressure, higher than the intermediate pressure. The air intake system comprises an air intake device (5) having a valve (20) in the first pipe (4) and a valve (21) in the second pipe (3). The device (5) also includes an actuator (22) for controlling the two valves (20, 21). Abstract figure: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Air sampling system for an aircraft technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air sampling system for an aircraft. Previous technique

[0002] Nowadays, aircraft are equipped with a bleed air system that distributes different airflows to a cabin air conditioning system, the cockpit, or to an auxiliary power unit (APU), among other things. Such a bleed air system is connected to an aircraft turbofan engine by a first air intake, for air distribution at a first pressure, known as intermediate pressure, and by a second air intake, for air distribution at a second pressure, known as high pressure, which is higher than the first pressure.

[0003] As is known, each of these air intakes is equipped with a movable butterfly-type valve to open or close the air intake. However, such a butterfly valve causes significant pressure losses due to the butterfly shape of its sealing face and the central axis, which remain in the airflow when the valve is open. Moreover, the valve can sometimes become stuck in the open position, which can lead to compression malfunctions in the turbojet engine.

[0004] The object of the invention is to remedy at least partially these drawbacks. Summary

[0005] To this end, an air sampling system for an aircraft is proposed, comprising a first compressed air intake pipe intended to be connected to an aircraft engine for sampling compressed air by the engine at a first pressure, called intermediate pressure, and a second compressed air intake pipe intended to be connected to said engine for sampling compressed air by the engine at a second pressure, called high pressure, higher than the intermediate pressure, the air sampling system comprising an air sampling device having a valve in the first pipe, called intermediate pressure valve, and a valve in the second pipe, called high pressure valve, the air sampling device also comprising an actuator for controlling said intermediate and high pressure valves.

[0006] Thus, the air sampling system according to the present invention ensures simple and reliable control of the intermediate pressure air circulation and the circulation high pressure air, the air intake device includes a control motor common to the two air intake valves.

[0007] According to another aspect, the intermediate valve includes a shutter having a sealing wall for the first pipe, movablely mounted between a closed position of the intermediate valve, in which said sealing wall completely blocks the passage of air in the first pipe and an open position in which said sealing wall is at a distance from the first pipe so as not to completely block the passage of air in the first pipe, the intermediate valve including a pilot pin for the shutter, the pin being shaped to be driven by the actuator.

[0008] According to another aspect, the shutter has a cylindrical or spherical shape or an angular sector shape.

[0009] According to another aspect, the air sampling device includes a means for closing the valve, for example a spring.

[0010] According to another aspect, the high-pressure valve includes a shutter having a sealing wall for the second pipe, movablely mounted between a closed position of the high-pressure valve, in which said sealing wall completely blocks the passage of air in the second pipe and an open position in which said sealing wall is at a distance from the second pipe so as not to completely block the passage of air in the second pipe, the high-pressure valve including a pilot pin for the shutter, the pin being shaped to be driven by the actuator.

[0011] According to another aspect, the shutter has a cylindrical or spherical shape or an angular sector shape.

[0012] According to another aspect, the air sampling device includes a means for closing the valve, for example a spring.

[0013] According to another aspect, the pilot lug of the high-pressure valve is arranged non-collinearly with the pilot lug of the intermediate valve so that the opening of the high-pressure valve is desynchronized from the opening of the intermediate valve.

[0014] According to another aspect, the air sampling device comprises a single valve body for the intermediate and high pressure valves.

[0015] The invention also relates to an aircraft, equipped with an air intake system as described above and a reactor connected to the first air intake of the system and to the second air intake of the system. Brief description of the drawings

[0016] Other features, details and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description below and analyzing the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1

[0017] [Fig-1] is a schematic view of an air sampling system for an aircraft according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2

[0018] [Fig.2] is a schematic side view of an air sampling device from the system of [Fig.1], in a closed position of an intermediate valve and in a closed position of a high-pressure valve. Fig. 3

[0019] [Fig.3] illustrates a detailed view of the device of [Fig.2]. Fig. 4

[0020] [Fig.4] illustrates a schematic side view of the air sampling device of the [Fig.2], in an open position of the intermediate valve and in a closed position of the high-pressure valve. Fig. 5

[0021] [Fig.5] illustrates a detailed view of the device of [Fig.4]. Fig. 6

[0022] [Fig.6] illustrates a perspective view of the device in [Fig.4]. Fig. 7

[0023] [Fig.7] illustrates a schematic side view of the air sampling device of the [Fig.2], in a closed position of the intermediate valve and in an open-closed position of the high-pressure valve. Fig. 8

[0024] [Fig.8] illustrates a detailed view of the device in [Fig.7]. Fig. 9

[0025] [Fig.9] illustrates a perspective view of the device in [Fig.7]. Description of the implementation methods

[0026] The examples and associated conditions detailed herein are primarily intended to help the reader understand the principles of the present invention and not to limit its scope to these specific examples and conditions. It will be understood that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various arrangements which, although not explicitly described or illustrated herein, nevertheless embody the principles of the present invention and are included in its spirit and scope.

[0027] Furthermore, to facilitate understanding, the following description may describe relatively simplified implementations of the present invention. As man Those in the trade understand that other implementations of the present invention may be of greater complexity.

[0028] In some cases, examples of modifications to the present invention may also be shown. This is done simply to aid understanding and, again, not to define the scope or establish the limits of the present invention. These modifications are not an exhaustive list, and a person skilled in the art may make other modifications while remaining within the scope of the present invention.

[0029] Furthermore, all the following statements relating to the principles, aspects and implementations of the present invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both the structural and functional equivalents thereof, whether currently known or developed in the future.

[0030] As can be seen from the figures, the invention relates to an air intake system for an aircraft, referred to as 1 in the figures. System 1 is intended to receive air from an engine 2 of the aircraft. The invention also relates to an aircraft A comprising system 1 and engine 2.

[0031] Figure 1 illustrates reactor 2 with a cold section upstream of a combustion chamber. In the cold section, the air is progressively compressed to a maximum pressure, called high pressure (HP), at the inlet of the combustion chamber.

[0032] As seen in [Fig.1], system 1 includes an air intake pipe from reactor 2 at high pressure HP, referenced 3, and an air intake pipe from reactor 2 at a pressure lower than the high pressure, referred to as intermediate pressure IP, referenced 4. The intermediate pressure IP is for example from a compression level 5 while the high pressure is from a compression level 9, for an ATA 36 type reactor.

[0033] The HP line, 3, joins the IP line, 4, downstream of an air intake device 5, detailed later, in a line 7 connected to a heat exchanger 8 (PCE for "precooler"). The heat exchanger 8 reduces the temperature of the air drawn from the engine (IP and HP) by drawing air from the fan (or blower). System 1 also includes an air line 9 with a fan and a fan valve (FAV). Line 9 is connected to the heat exchanger 8. System 1 may optionally include an over-pressure valve (OPV). System 1 also includes a line 11 connected to the heat exchanger 8. A computer, responsible for managing air intake according to the aircraft's needs, controls the FAV and OPV valves, and the device 5 (the electric motor 22). The air circulating in pipe 9 is taken from the secondary flow generated by the fan.

[0034] The air from system 1 can be used in particular to start another reactor, for de-icing, cabin pressurization, pneumatic actuators.

[0035] We now describe in detail the sampling device 5.

[0036] As can be seen from the figures, the sampling device 5 includes a first valve, called intermediate valve 20, in the IP pipeline, 4, and a second valve 21, called high pressure valve, in the HP pipeline, 3. The sampling device 5 includes an actuator, for example an electric motor 22, common to the valves 20 and 21, which controls them as described later.

[0037] The intermediate valve 20 is mounted movable between a position of at least partial opening, preferably full opening, of the IP, 4 pipeline, and a position of full closing of the IP, 4 pipeline.

[0038] The high-pressure valve 21 is mounted movable between a position of at least partial opening, preferably full opening, depending on the needs of the aircraft, of the HP line, 3, and a position of full closure of the HP line, 3.

[0039] The intermediate valve 20 comprises a fixed valve body and a movable obturator. Similarly, the high-pressure valve 21 comprises a fixed valve body and a movable obturator.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, a single valve body houses the intermediate valve obturator 20 and the high-pressure valve obturator 21. The valve body is referenced 23, while the intermediate valve obturator 20 is referenced 24 and the high-pressure valve obturator 21 is referenced 25.

[0041] In the illustrated embodiment, the valve body 23 has a general cylindrical shape with longitudinal axis L, and the obturators 24 and 25 rotate around the axis L.

[0042] As particularly visible in figures 6 and 9, the obturator 24 of the intermediate valve 20 comprises a wall 26 of generally cylindrical shape pierced by a through orifice 27. The diameter of the orifice 27 advantageously coincides with that of the pipe IP, 4.

[0043] The obturator 24 is pivotally mounted in the valve body 23. In the open position of the valve 20, illustrated in figures 4 to 6, the orifice 27 is positioned opposite the pipe 4, and an airflow F circulates through the pipe 4. In the closed position of the valve 20, illustrated in figures 6 to 9, the orifice 27 is positioned away from the pipe 4, and the air is blocked.

[0044] As particularly visible in figures 6 and 9, the obturator 25 comprises a wall 28 of generally cylindrical shape pierced by a through orifice 29. The diameter of the orifice 29 advantageously coincides with that of the HP pipe, 3.

[0045] The obturator 25 is pivotally mounted in the valve body 23. In the open position of the valve 21, illustrated in figures 5 to 7, the orifice 29 is positioned opposite the pipe 3, and an airflow FF circulates through the pipe 3. In the closed position of the valve 20, illustrated in figures 4 to 6, the orifice 27 is positioned away from the pipe 3, and the air is blocked.

[0046] It should be noted that the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment and includes other types of valves. These may include, for example, valves with a spherical obturator, or even with an obturator in the shape of an angular sector.

[0047] The intermediate valve 20 includes a lug 30 shaped to be driven by the motor 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the lug 30 is a finger that projects longitudinally out of the wall 26 towards the electric motor 22. Similarly, the high-pressure valve 21 includes a lug 31 shaped to be driven by the motor 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the lug 31 is a finger that projects longitudinally out of the wall 26 towards the electric motor 22.

[0048] As can be seen in Figures 4, 6, 7 and 9, the electric motor 22, common to the two valves 20 and 21, is configured to control the openings of the valves 20 and 21. The motor 22 is arranged between the two valves 20, 21, in the valve body 23 of the air sampling device 5.

[0049] The electric motor 22 includes a pivoting lug 32 shaped to push the finger 30 of the intermediate valve 20. The electric motor 22 also includes a pivoting lug 33 shaped to push the finger 31 of the high-pressure valve 21.

[0050] Of course, the invention is not limited to this arrangement and also includes any type of control enabling the shutters 24 and 25 to be moved.

[0051] As seen in figures 4 and 7, the intermediate valve 20 includes means for closing the valve 20. This advantageously consists of a spring, one end of which is fixed to the wall 26 and the other end of which is fixed to the valve body 23. By default, the spring 34 returns the obturator 24 to the closed position of the valve 20.

[0052] Similarly, the high-pressure valve 21 includes means for closing the valve 21. This advantageously consists of a spring, one end of which is fixed to the wall 28 and the other end of which is fixed to the valve body 23. By default, the spring 35 returns the obturator 25 to the closed position of the valve 21.

[0053] In the initial position, the two valves 20, 21 are in the closed position, their respective springs holding the walls 26, 28 in the IP and HP pipes.

[0054] When the electric motor 22 rotates its lugs 32, 33 in a first direction around the axis L, the finger 32 pushes the finger 30 of the valve 20, which pivots from the closed position to the fully open position of the valve 20. The finger 31 is left free and means 35 return the valve 21 to the closed position (figures 4 to 6).

[0055] When the electric motor 22 rotates its lugs 32, 33 in the opposite direction, the finger 33 pushes the finger 31 of the valve 21, which pivots from the closed position to the open position. The finger 30 is left free, and the closing means 34 return the valve 20 to the closed position (Figures 7 to 9).

[0056] It should be noted that the device 5 is configured so that the intermediate valve 20 is open while the high-pressure valve is closed, and vice versa. The intermediate valve 20 is advantageously open during high-power adjustment operations. The high-pressure valve 21 is open during descent, or during other low-power adjustment operations. When high-pressure air is drawn in, the intermediate valve 20 is closed, in particular to prevent any reinjection of air into the intermediate pressure stage of the reactor 2.

[0057] In the illustrated embodiment, the finger 31 of the high-pressure valve 21 is arranged non-collinearly with the finger 30 of the intermediate valve 20, so that the opening of the high-pressure valve 21 is effectively desynchronized from the opening of the intermediate valve 20.

[0058] As can be seen from the preceding description, thanks to system 1, a single component, i.e., the sampling device 5, allows the control of the two intermediate and high pressure valves by the common electric motor 22. Thus, the device 5 represents, in a single block, a simple, reliable means of controlling the distribution of high and intermediate pressure air.

[0059] Moreover, thanks to the shape of each obturator 24, 25, pressure losses are drastically reduced, which improves the performance of the air sampling system 1, since the walls 26, 28 do not constitute an obstacle to the circulation of air when the valve is in the open position.

[0060] It is added that, thanks to the closing means, 34, 35, the valves 20, 21, are, by default, in the closed position, which avoids any blocking of the intermediate valve in the open position.

[0061] Modifications and improvements to the above-described implementations of the present invention may be apparent to a person skilled in the art. However, the invention is not limited to this scenario, and any suitable type of gas could also be used.

[0062] The above description is illustrative through examples rather than exhaustive. The scope of the present invention is therefore limited only by the scope of the claims below.

Claims

Demands

1. An air sampling system for an aircraft, comprising a first compressed air intake pipe (4) intended to be connected to an aircraft engine (2) for sampling compressed air by the engine (2) at a first pressure, referred to as intermediate pressure, and a second compressed air intake pipe (3) intended to be connected to said engine (2) for sampling compressed air by the engine (2) at a second pressure, referred to as high pressure, higher than the intermediate pressure, the air sampling system (1) comprising an air sampling device (5) having a valve (20) in the first pipe (4), referred to as intermediate pressure valve (20), and a valve (21) in the second pipe (3), referred to as high pressure valve (21), the air sampling device (5) also having an actuator (22) for controlling said intermediate (20) and high pressure (21) valves.

2. System according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate valve (20) comprises a shutter (24) having a sealing wall (26) of the first pipe (4), movablely mounted between a closed position of the intermediate valve (20), in which said sealing wall (26) completely blocks the passage of air in the first pipe (4) and an open position in which said sealing wall (26) is at a distance from the first pipe (4) so ​​as not to completely block the passage of air in the first pipe (4), the intermediate valve (20) comprising a pilot lug (30) of the shutter (24), the lug (30) being shaped to be driven by the actuator (22).

3. System according to the preceding claim, wherein the shutter (24) has a cylindrical or spherical or angular sector shape.

4. System according to any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the air sampling device (5) includes a means (34) for closing the valve (20), for example a spring.

5. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the high-pressure valve (21) comprises a plug (25) provided with a plugging wall (28) for the second pipe (3), movably mounted between a closed position of the high-pressure valve pressure (21), in which said sealing wall (28) completely blocks the air passage in the second pipe (3) and an open position in which said sealing wall (28) is at a distance from the second pipe (3) so as not to completely block the air passage in the second pipe (3), the high pressure valve (21) comprising a pilot lug (31) of the obturator (25), the lug (31) being shaped to be driven by the actuator (22).

6. System according to the preceding claim, wherein the shutter (25) has a cylindrical or spherical or angular sector shape.

7. System according to any one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the air sampling device (5) includes a means (35) for closing the valve (20), for example a spring.

8. System according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the pilot pin (31) of the high pressure valve (21) is arranged non-collinearly with the pilot pin (30) of the intermediate valve (20) so that the opening of the high pressure valve (21) is desynchronized from the opening of the intermediate valve (20).

9. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air sampling device (5) comprises a single valve body (23) for the intermediate (20) and high pressure (21) valves.

10. Aircraft, equipped with an air intake system according to one of the preceding claims and a jet engine connected to the first air intake of the system and to the second air intake of the system.

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