Connecting Fitting Guide Member for Aircraft Anti-Icing Pipes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid circuit connection systems in aircraft are cumbersome, requiring manual and time-consuming assembly of guide members for heating pipes, leading to inefficient heat transfer and potential icing issues due to misalignment and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A connection fitting with a built-in guide member integrated into the connection sleeve, allowing for direct heat transfer between the heating conduit and the pipes, reducing the number of parts and assembly time, while ensuring efficient heat transfer and preventing icing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate guide element is used to bypass the connecting fitting, then the heating duct can be positioned along the pipes, but the connecting fitting is not heated optimally leading to potential icing
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element is integrated directly into the connecting fitting as a single component. The guide element comprises a guiding portion that extends along the connecting fitting and heating duct, with a base portion integrated into the connecting fitting body. This merging ensures the heating duct is properly positioned while maintaining direct thermal contact between the heating duct and connecting fitting, eliminating the risk of icing at the fitting.
2Ease of operation
If a separate guide element is used, then the heating duct can be guided along the connecting fitting, but the assembly becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element and connecting fitting are merged into a single integrated component. The guide element includes a base portion that forms part of the connecting fitting body and a guiding portion that extends to guide the heating duct. This integration reduces the number of separate parts from two (separate guide element and fitting) to one, simplifying assembly while maintaining the guidance function.
3Ease of operation
If a separate guide element is used, then the heating duct can be positioned, but manual assembly is tedious and increases installation time
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element is integrated into the connecting fitting as a single pre-assembled component. The guide element comprises a base portion integrated into the fitting body and a guiding portion that extends along the fitting. This integration eliminates the need for separate manual assembly of the guide element, allowing installers to simply connect the heating duct to the integrated guide, significantly reducing installation time and effort.
4Strength
If the connecting fitting has a larger diameter than the pipes, then it can mechanically connect the pipes, but it extends radially beyond the pipes making heating difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element is designed with a specific geometry that dynamically adapts to the radial extension of the connecting fitting. The guide element comprises a base portion that accommodates the radial extension and a guiding portion that extends along the outer surface of the fitting. This dynamic design ensures the heating duct can be positioned in direct thermal contact with the connecting fitting, maintaining heating effectiveness despite the fitting's larger diameter.
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 integrated guide member simplifies installation, reduces costs, and enhances heat transfer efficiency by maintaining direct contact between the heating conduit and the connection fitting, minimizing the risk of icing and assembly errors.
Implementation Method 1
the heating duct being configured to transmit heat to the pipes and the connecting fitting in order to prevent them from freezing
Data Source
Figure 1A~2A
Figure 2B~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A fluid circuit (C), in particular for an aircraft, comprising at least a first pipe (1), a second pipe (2) and a connecting fitting (3), each pipe (1, 2) comprising a connection end and extending along an axis X, the connecting fitting (3), movably mounted between the two pipes (1, 2), being configured to mechanically connect the two connection ends, the connecting fitting (3) comprising a connecting sleeve and a guide member (4) formed on an outer surface of the connecting sleeve and configured to cooperate with a heater duct (R) so as to guide it between the two pipes (1, 2), the heater duct (R) being configured to transmit heat to the pipes (1, 2) and to the connecting fitting (3) so as to prevent them from icing up.