Aircraft Air-Intake Water Separation Using Passive Flow Bends
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Solution Overview
Problem
The separation of water from air is challenging, particularly in environments where dry air is required, such as aboard aircraft, due to the inefficiency and high energy consumption of existing systems.
Innovation Solution
A device is provided that includes a body with an intake port, a flow path with bends, and a low-pressure tap line to separate water from air. The device utilizes the momentum of water particles to divert them into the tap line, allowing dry air to be directed to electronic components for cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electricity or other power sources are used to move air through compression and evaporation cycles, then water separation effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the aircraft's existing high-pressure air source and low-pressure regions to drive water separation passively. The high-pressure air from the engine intake automatically drives water particles into bends, and the low-pressure tap lines automatically drain water without requiring external power sources, motors, or controlled compression cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts water particles from the air stream using centrifugal force generated by bends in the flow path. Water particles are separated from air and directed into drain paths that lead to collection points or discharge locations, removing the harmful moisture component without adding energy input.
2Reliability
If electricity or other power sources are used to move air through compression and evaporation cycles, then water separation effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the aircraft's existing high-pressure air source and low-pressure regions to drive water separation passively. The high-pressure air from the engine intake automatically drives water particles into bends, and the low-pressure tap lines automatically drain water without requiring external power sources, motors, or controlled compression cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts water particles from the air stream using centrifugal force generated by bends in the flow path. Water particles are separated from air and directed into drain paths that lead to collection points or discharge locations, removing the harmful moisture component without adding energy input.
3Reliability
If many devices are used to separate water from air, then separation capability is improved, but the systems are of relatively large scale and suitable primarily for stationary operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates water separation functionality into the existing aircraft air intake and cooling infrastructure. The same flow paths used for engine cooling and electronic component cooling also perform water separation, making the system multi-functional and eliminating the need for separate dedicated water separation equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges water separation with the aircraft's existing air handling systems. The flow paths, bends, and tap lines are integrated into the structural design of the aircraft, combining multiple functions (cooling, water separation, and air delivery) into a single unified system rather than separate components.
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 device effectively separates water from air without the need for power, reducing energy consumption and maintenance requirements while providing dry air for cooling electronic components, thus enhancing the reliability and efficiency of aircraft systems.
Implementation Method 1
air and water particles enter the air intake port at a relatively high speed and pressure, where the water particles are driven into the at least one bend by the relatively high speed air
Implementation Method 2
a low-pressure tap line, where the low-pressure tap line defines a drain path intersecting the flow path proximate the at least one bend
Data Source
AI summary
A system, apparatus, and method are provided herein to remove water from air aboard an aircraft to permit use of dry air and discharge of water. A system for cooling electronic components of an aircraft includes: an air intake port defined in a forward facing surface of the aircraft; a flow path defined between the air intake port and an air exit port, where the flow path includes at least one bend of at least ninety degrees between the air intake port and the air exit port; and a low-pressure tap line intersecting the flow path proximate the at least one bend, where the low-pressure tap line is in fluidic communication with a water exit port defined in an upward-facing surface of the aircraft.