Adjustable Aircraft Water Supply System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft water supply systems are overdesigned, leading to increased energy consumption and weight, as they provide maximum water pressure and flow rate for all users simultaneously, which is inefficient and wasteful, especially during periods of low demand.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable water supply system that includes a pressurization unit connected to multiple water consumers via ducts, with a controller that adjusts flow rate and pressure based on consumer signals, allowing for optimized water supply to each user, reducing energy consumption and eliminating the need for aerators and pressure regulators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional water supply system is designed to provide maximum water pressure and flow rate for all water consumers simultaneously, then the reliability of water supply is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the pressurization unit adjustable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically modifies the operating parameters (flow rate and pressure) of the pressurization unit based on real-time water supply demands from multiple consumers, allowing the system to adapt between maximum performance and energy-saving modes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the pressurization unit based on demand. The controller receives water supply demand information and adjusts the flow rate and pressure parameters accordingly, rather than maintaining constant maximum parameters. This resolves the contradiction by providing high reliability when needed while reducing energy consumption during normal operation
2Productivity
If a conventional water supply system is designed to provide maximum water flow rate for all water consumers, then the productivity of water supply is improved, but the weight of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressurization unit is designed with adjustable flow rate capability, allowing it to dynamically scale between minimum and maximum flow rates based on actual demand. This eliminates the need for an always-maximum-capacity design, reducing system weight while maintaining productivity when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow rate parameter of the pressurization unit based on water supply demands from consumers. The controller adjusts this parameter to match actual needs, allowing the system to be lighter than a conventional system designed for maximum continuous flow
3Ease of operation
If a conventional water supply system provides constant high pressure to all water consumers, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller adjusts the pressure parameter of the pressurization unit based on water supply demands. When multiple consumers are active, higher pressure is provided; when fewer consumers are active, pressure is reduced. This maintains ease of operation when needed while minimizing energy waste during periods of lower demand
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts what would normally be energy waste (constant high pressure operation) into a controllable parameter. By making pressure adjustable, the system can now provide high pressure (and the associated energy consumption) only when beneficial, turning a harmful constant operation into a beneficial variable operation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system significantly reduces energy usage and noise by only providing the necessary water pressure and flow rate, optimizing energy use and maintenance efforts while ensuring consistent water supply to various aircraft users.
Implementation Method 1
a pressurization unit configured to convey water from the water supply tank to the plurality of water consumers... ducts or pipes which are designed to duct water under the pressure induced by the pressurization unit
Data Source
AI summary
A water supply system for an aircraft includes a water supply tank, water consumers, a pressurization unit to convey water from the water supply tank to the water consumers, water consumer supply units, each of the water consumer supply units configured to control water supply from the pressurization unit to one of the water consumers, and a controller. Each of the water consumer supply units is configured to output a consumer signal indicating a water supply of the respective water consumer, wherein the controller is configured to receive the consumer signal of the water consumer supply units and to control a flow rate and/or pressure of the pressurization unit depending on the consumer signal.