Aircraft Compressor Bleed Valve for Pressure Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing management of compressed air flow rate variations in aircraft pneumatic networks requires oversized load compressors to maintain pressure, leading to inefficiencies and increased mass, as current solutions rely on internal guiding vanes and anti-surge valves that result in heavy load losses and suboptimal engine design.
Innovation Solution
A controlling method that adjusts compressed air supply by diverting surplus air to the gas exhaust system based on instantaneous network needs, using a variable opening mechanism controlled by pressure sensors, allowing the load compressor to operate at a consistent point regardless of air flow rate, thereby reducing power consumption and compressor size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If the load compressor is oversized to maintain sufficient pressure in the pneumatic network, then the pressure stability is improved, but the compressor mass and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the surplus compressed air from the pneumatic network and redirects it to the gas exhaust system through a bleed valve. This allows the compressor to operate at optimal capacity without needing to be oversized, as the excess air is simply bled off rather than requiring the compressor to be sized for maximum possible demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dynamic control system with a bleed valve that continuously adjusts the surplus air ejection based on real-time network pressure and flow conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the compressor to maintain optimal operating points while adapting to varying pneumatic network demands, eliminating the need for oversizing.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the IGVs are closed to reduce resistive torque in flight, then the power consumption is reduced, but the pressure maintenance capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bleed valve as an intermediary component between the compressor outlet and the gas exhaust system. This mediator allows the system to manage pressure and flow independently of the IGV position, enabling the IGVs to remain closed for reduced power consumption while the bleed valve maintains appropriate pressure levels by controlling surplus air ejection.
3Reliability
If the anti-surge valve is opened to prevent air back flow, then the system reliability is improved, but the compressor mass increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the bleed valve multi-functional by designing it to serve both as a surplus air ejection mechanism and as an anti-surge protection device. By controlling the ejection of surplus compressed air, the valve inherently prevents air back flow into the compressor, eliminating the need for a separate dedicated anti-surge valve and reducing overall compressor mass.
4Device complexity
If the IGV control is simplified to two positions, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to varying air flow rate demands deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent compensates for the simplified two-position IGV control by introducing continuous parameter adjustment through the bleed valve. While the IGVs have only two positions, the bleed valve continuously modulates the surplus air ejection rate based on real-time pressure and flow conditions, providing the necessary adaptability to varying air flow rate demands without increasing IGV control complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for supplying compressed air to a pneumatic network includes a load compressor, an air supply and a power shaft driving the load compressor. The system also includes in an air outlet of such load compressor, a connecting channel connected, on the one side, with a channel connected with the pneumatic network and, on the other side, with an air discharge conduct towards an exhaust nozzle. Air flow rate bleed valves are controlled by a processing unit via servo-loops as a function of the pressure sensors and the speed sensor.