Integrated Aircraft Fuel Cell Air Supply Module Without Connecting Pipes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air supply systems for hydrogen fuel cell power generation systems in aircraft are bulky, heavy, and difficult to maintain due to numerous components connected by pipes and fittings, which are challenging to access and replace, especially in confined aircraft spaces.
Innovation Solution
An integrated air supply module with airflow treatment elements like filters and heat exchangers directly connected within a housing, eliminating intermediate pipes, reducing size and weight, and facilitating maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple air supply components (filters, heat exchangers) are connected by pipes and fittings, then the system can perform airflow treatment functions, but the system volume and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple air supply components (first filter, first heat exchanger, second heat exchanger, second filter) into a single housing structure, eliminating the need for separate pipes and fittings to connect them. This merging of components directly reduces system volume while maintaining all necessary airflow treatment functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it contains all filtration and heat exchange components, provides structural support, enables direct fluidic communication between components, and facilitates maintenance. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate connecting structures, reducing overall system volume.
2Reliability
If multiple air supply components are connected by pipes and fittings, then the system can perform airflow treatment functions, but the system weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple components into one integrated housing structure, the patent eliminates the weight of intermediate pipes, fittings, and multiple housings. The single housing weighs less than the sum of multiple separate components and their connecting elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the unnecessary intermediate pipes and fittings from the system architecture. By removing these extraneous components while maintaining essential airflow treatment functions, system weight is reduced.
3Volume of stationary object
If components are located close to the fuel cell with intermediate piping, then the system can be compact, but maintenance and replacement become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By merging all air supply components into a single integrated module, the patent creates a compact unit that maintains small overall dimensions while improving maintenance accessibility. The unified structure allows technicians to service all components from one location rather than accessing multiple separately mounted components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the air supply system into a self-contained modular unit with inlet and outlet ports. This segmentation allows the entire assembly to be treated as one replaceable module, simplifying maintenance by enabling removal and replacement of the complete unit without disassembling individual 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 solution reduces the volume and weight of the air supply system, enhances integration into aircraft systems, and simplifies maintenance by eliminating connecting pipes, thus optimizing airflow treatment and reducing drag.
Implementation Method 1
a first filter (21) having a first inlet (211) and a first outlet (212) for said airflow (F)
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchanger (22) having a second inlet (221) and a second outlet (222) for said airflow (F), said first heat exchanger (22) being located downstream of the first filter (21) with respect to the flow direction (E)
Implementation Method 3
a second heat exchanger (23) comprising a third inlet (231) and a third outlet (232) of said airflow (F), said second heat exchanger (23) being disposed downstream of the first heat exchanger (22)
Implementation Method 4
a second filter (24) comprising a fourth inlet (241) and a fourth outlet (242) of said airflow (F), said second filter (24) being disposed downstream of the second heat exchanger (23)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4a
AI summary
The invention relates to an air supply module comprising a housing with an inlet and an outlet through which an airflow passes. According to the invention, the module includes, housed within the casing, a first filter and a first heat exchanger which are in direct fluidic communication with each other. The implementation of such an air supply module eliminates the need for connecting pipes between the module's components. This reduces the module's volume (and therefore its size) and weight, thus facilitating its integration into an electrical power generation system incorporating a fuel cell. This is also advantageous when the module is to be installed in an aircraft.