Adjustable Forced Air Aircraft De-icing Nozzle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft de-icing systems with fixed nozzles are inefficient in varying weather conditions, require close operator proximity, and generate excessive noise, leading to suboptimal de-icing performance and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable forced air de-icing system with a movable nozzle that changes its spraying configuration and mixes varying amounts of pressurized air and de-icing agent based on the position of movable elements, allowing for infinitesimal or finite adjustments between high pressure, low volume and low pressure, high volume modes, and incorporating a controller for optimized spray protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed nozzle is used in conventional de-icing systems, then the system structure is simple, but the de-icing performance deteriorates in varying weather conditions and at different distances
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is designed with movable elements (plug and cowl) that can be adjusted to different positions, transforming the fixed nozzle structure into a dynamic, adjustable one. This allows the nozzle to adapt its spray configuration to varying weather conditions and distances from the aircraft, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle enables changes in spray parameters (pressure, volume, pattern) by adjusting the movable elements to different positions. This parameter adjustment capability allows optimal de-icing performance across varying conditions without requiring complete redesign of the system, balancing adaptability with manageable complexity.
2Productivity
If the operator moves closer to the aircraft to maintain effective de-icing, then de-icing performance is improved, but operator safety deteriorates due to increased risk
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable nozzle allows the operator to dynamically change the spray configuration to maintain effectiveness at greater distances from the aircraft. By adjusting the movable elements, the operator can compensate for increased distance without needing to approach the aircraft closely, thus maintaining productivity while reducing safety risks.
3Productivity
If high jet velocity is used to remove ice and snow effectively, then de-icing capability is improved, but noise generation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle allows adjustment of spray parameters including velocity, pressure, and volume. The operator can modify these parameters by changing the position of movable elements, enabling effective de-icing at lower velocities when conditions permit, thereby reducing noise generation while maintaining adequate removal capability.
4Productivity
If a fixed aperture nozzle is used, then the system is simple to operate, but de-icing efficiency deteriorates when weather conditions change
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle incorporates movable elements that can be adjusted to different positions, providing dynamic adaptability to changing weather conditions. This enhances de-icing efficiency by allowing optimization of spray parameters, while the standardized adjustment mechanism maintains reasonable ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The ability to change spray parameters (pressure, volume, pattern) through positional adjustment of movable elements enables optimized de-icing efficiency for different conditions. The systematic design of these adjustments keeps operational complexity manageable despite the added functionality.
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 maintains effective de-icing performance across different weather conditions and distances, reduces de-icing agent consumption, and decreases noise emissions, enabling efficient and safe de-icing operations while minimizing operator risk.
Implementation Method 1
a pressurized air source in fluid communication with the nozzle for delivering pressurized air to the nozzle
Implementation Method 2
The optimal jet velocity is attained when a compressor/blower used to deliver the air delivers a pressure ratio of about two, resulting in a jet velocity of about 1,000 ft/sec at the nozzle exit
Implementation Method 3
The nozzle is configured for selectively mixing varying amounts of the pressurized air and varying amounts of the de-icing agent to provide a spray pattern
Implementation Method 4
The higher the jet velocity, the more pressure and force is imparted to the aircraft surface to remove ice and snow
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft de-icing system has a nozzle with at least one movable element configured to move between a first position and a second position to change a spraying configuration of the nozzle between a first configuration and a second configuration. The aircraft de-icing system further has at least one storage reservoir configured for containing a de-icing agent and a pump for pumping the de-icing agent from the at least one storage reservoir to the nozzle. The aircraft de-icing system further has a pressurized air source in fluid communication with the nozzle for delivering pressurized air to the nozzle. The nozzle is configured for selectively mixing varying amounts of the pressurized air and varying amounts of the de-icing agent to provide a spray pattern for application on a surface of an aircraft based on a position of the at least one movable element between the first position and the second position.