Aircraft Water Supply Buffer Stores for Pump Load Limiting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to design a lightweight and compact water supply system for aircraft that efficiently manages water distribution to various consumers while minimizing the weight and power consumption of the pressure source, which requires high water pressure due to small line diameters.
Innovation Solution
A water supply system with buffer stores and a control system that manages the opening and closing of filling valves based on state parameters from consumers, limiting simultaneous water removal from the tank to optimize pressure source usage, using flexible plastic lines and a high-pressure pump to distribute water efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If small diameter lines are used to connect water tank to consumers, then weight of line system is reduced, but pressure source must generate higher pressure (50 bar or more) to supply enough water
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the water distribution network into segments: a common water tank supplied by a single pressure source, and multiple independent consumers each with their own buffer store. This segmentation allows the pressure source to operate at lower pressure while buffer stores maintain adequate pressure at each consumer unit.
Solution Approach 2:
Buffer stores are introduced as intermediary elements between the pressure source and consumers. These buffer stores temporarily store water and maintain pressure at the consumer level, decoupling the pressure requirements of the main supply line from those needed at the point of use.
2Quantity of substance
If pressure generator builds up high pressure (50 bar or more) in lines, then enough drinking water can be supplied to consumers, but weight and power consumption of pressure source increase
Solution Approach 1:
Water is preliminarily stored in buffer stores at each consumer unit before being needed. The buffer stores are filled during periods of low demand when the pressure source can operate efficiently, and then supply water during peak demand without requiring the pressure source to operate at high power.
Solution Approach 2:
Buffer stores act as intermediaries that decouple the pressure source from consumer demand fluctuations. They accumulate water when supply exceeds demand and release it when demand exceeds supply, allowing the pressure source to operate continuously at optimal, lower power levels.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple consumers are connected to water tank by way of pressure source, then water distribution is achieved, but simultaneous water removal may exceed pressure source capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the consumer base into independent units, each with its own buffer store. This segmentation allows consumers to be served sequentially rather than simultaneously, with the pressure source filling buffer stores during low-demand periods and buffer stores serving consumers during high-demand periods.
Solution Approach 2:
Buffer stores serve as intermediary storage units that buffer between the pressure source and multiple consumers. They absorb the variability in consumer water demand, allowing the pressure source to operate at a steady, manageable power level regardless of how many consumers are active simultaneously.
4Strength
If rigid pipelines are used in water supply system, then structural strength is ensured, but system weight increases and heating is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible plastic hoses instead of rigid metal pipelines. These flexible hoses provide sufficient strength for the application while being significantly lighter than rigid alternatives. The flexibility also eliminates the need for thermal insulation and heating that would be required for rigid metal pipes.
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
This approach minimizes the dimensions, weight, and power consumption of the pressure source, reducing noise and vibrations, and ensures timely and uniform water supply to aircraft consumers while lowering operating costs.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure source or pump, which pumps the water through the lines to the consumers. On account of the small internal diameter of the lines, in this case the pressure source must be able to generate a water pressure of 10 bar or more
Implementation Method 2
Each consumer of the plurality of consumers with buffer stores has a buffer store for water, a filling valve and a consumer valve. The filling valve is arranged between the respective buffer store and the pressure source and is configured such that the respective buffer store can be filled by opening the filling valve
Implementation Method 3
The consumer valve is arranged and configured such that water can be removed from the buffer store by opening the consumer valve
Data Source
AI summary
A water supply system for an aircraft having consumers with buffer stores connected to a water tank by lines and a pressure source. Each consumer has a filling valve between the buffer store and the pressure source. The buffer store can be filled by opening the filling valve. In each consumer, water can be removed from the buffer store by opening a consumer valve. Each consumer transmits at least one state parameter describing a state of the buffer store of the respective consumer to a control system. The control system controls opening and closing of the filling valves of the consumers taking into account the transmitted state parameters such that removal of water from the water tank by the pressure source does not exceed a threshold value at any point in time. An aircraft having a water supply system and method for controlling a water supply system are disclosed.