Aircraft Inert Gas Generator Series-Parallel Module Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inerting gas generators for aircraft fuel tanks are oversized due to the arrangement of air separation modules in parallel, leading to overconsumption of fuel and increased aircraft weight, as they are not adaptable to varying flight phases and inerting gas requirements.
Innovation Solution
The air separation modules are arranged in series to generate high-purity inerting gas with low oxygen content, allowing for modular adaptation between series and parallel configurations to match flight phase needs, optimizing filtration equipment and thermal regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If air separation modules are arranged in parallel to meet high flow rate demands, then the system can deliver sufficient inerting gas flow, but the generator becomes oversized leading to increased aircraft weight and fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic reconfiguration of air separation modules between series and parallel arrangements based on flight phase requirements. During high flow demand phases (descent, landing), modules operate in parallel to maximize productivity. During low flow demand phases (cruise, taxi), modules switch to series configuration to reduce system size and weight, directly resolving the contradiction between flow rate capability and aircraft weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The inerting gas generator is divided into multiple independent air separation modules that can be selectively configured. This segmentation allows the system to activate only the necessary number of modules or arrange them in different configurations based on real-time requirements, avoiding the need to always operate with a large parallel configuration that increases weight.
2Productivity
If air separation modules are arranged in parallel to ensure sufficient inerting gas supply, then the flow rate requirement is met, but the system becomes oversized and consumes more fuel
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the configuration and operation of air separation modules based on flight phase. During high flow demand phases, parallel configuration ensures sufficient supply. During low flow phases, the system switches to series configuration or reduces active modules, minimizing energy consumption and fuel usage while maintaining adequate inerting capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters including flow rate, pressure, and module configuration based on flight phase requirements. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system optimizes the balance between productivity and energy consumption, avoiding constant operation at high capacity that would increase fuel consumption.
3Weight of moving object
If air separation modules are arranged in series to reduce system size and weight, then the generator becomes more compact, but the system cannot meet high flow rate demands during descent and landing
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic reconfiguration where air separation modules can switch between series and parallel arrangements based on real-time flow rate requirements. During descent and landing phases when high flow is needed, modules reconfigure to parallel operation. During cruise or taxi phases, modules operate in series to minimize weight and size, thus resolving the contradiction between compactness and flow rate capability.
4Reliability
If the generator is oversized to meet peak flow demands, then sufficient inerting gas is available during all flight phases, but the system is not adaptable to varying flight phase requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamically adaptable system that adjusts module configuration and operation based on flight phase detection. The system monitors flight phase (ascent, descent, cruise, taxi, landing) and automatically reconfigures air separation modules accordingly. This ensures reliable inerting gas availability during all phases while optimizing system performance and efficiency for each specific phase, achieving both reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The air separation modules are designed to perform multiple functions by being reconfigurable between series and parallel arrangements. The same physical modules can serve different flow rate requirements and purity specifications depending on configuration, making the system universally applicable to all flight phases without requiring separate dedicated systems for each phase.
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 enables efficient modulation of inerting gas flow, reducing fuel consumption and aircraft weight by allowing the air separation modules to be scaled down, while maintaining inerting gas quality and purity, particularly during high flow demands.
Implementation Method 1
The OBIGGS system generally comprises an air separation module, or several modules arranged in parallel, containing, for example, zeolite membranes through which an air flow is pressed. Due to the different mass transfer rates of nitrogen and oxygen, the system splits the airflow
Data Source
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a generator (1) of inerting gas from an air stream, in particular for an inerting system of at least one fuel tank of an aircraft, said generator (1) being remarkable in that it comprises an air circuit (2) including an air inlet (3), an inerting gas outlet (4), and first and second air separation modules (5, 6) arranged in series on said air circuit (2) to deplete the air in oxygen and generate nitrogen-enriched inerting gas.