Aircraft Centrifugal Pump Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centrifugal pumps in aircraft systems face performance issues due to fluid remaining in a liquid state during start-up, causing windage loss and hindering the operation of foil bearings, and there is a need to control the temperature of fluids within the pumps to reduce vibrations and prevent motor overheating.
Innovation Solution
A thermal management system that includes a thermal control system to convert liquid fluid to a gaseous or supercritical state before pump operation and maintain optimal temperature ranges within the pump, utilizing feedback conduits, injectors, and valves to manage fluid state and temperature, ensuring efficient operation and reducing vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the pump starts operation with liquid fluid, then the pump can immediately begin pumping, but windage loss occurs and foil bearing operation is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the fluid through feedback conduits that circulate fluid through a heater before it enters the pump. This pre-heating action ensures the fluid reaches the required temperature to transition from liquid to gaseous or supercritical state, eliminating windage loss before the pump begins operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the fluid using heaters and thermal control mechanisms. By increasing the fluid temperature to a specific threshold, the fluid transitions from liquid state to gaseous or supercritical state, fundamentally changing its physical properties and eliminating windage loss in the foil bearings.
2Device complexity
If the fluid temperature is not controlled, then the system structure remains simple, but vibrations increase and motor overheating occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback conduits that continuously monitor fluid temperature and flow conditions, feeding this information back to the thermal control system. This feedback mechanism enables automatic adjustment of heating elements to maintain optimal fluid temperature, preventing vibrations and motor overheating while managing system complexity through intelligent control.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback conduits act as intermediary elements between the fluid system and thermal control mechanisms. These conduits transport fluid for temperature monitoring and control, serving as a mediator that enables precise temperature management without requiring direct complex instrumentation throughout the entire system.
3Device complexity
If liquid fluid is present in the pump during operation, then no additional thermal control is needed, but foil bearing operation is hindered and performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes phase transition of the fluid from liquid to gaseous or supercritical state through controlled heating. This phase change fundamentally alters the fluid's interaction with foil bearings, eliminating the harmful effects of liquid fluid on bearing operation and significantly improving system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the temperature parameter of the fluid to a critical threshold, the system transforms the fluid's physical state. This parameter change ensures proper foil bearing operation and enhances overall pump reliability, justifying the addition of thermal control apparatus.
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 system enables the centrifugal pump to operate effectively by preventing windage loss and maintaining optimal temperature, thus improving the lifespan and efficiency of the pump and reducing vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
convert liquid fluid to a gaseous or supercritical state before pump operation
Implementation Method 2
maintain optimal temperature ranges within the pump
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus to maintain a state of a fluid in a system are disclosed. An example system includes a pump including a primary inlet, a primary outlet, and a secondary inlet, at least one injector including a first inlet, a second inlet, and at least one outlet, a third conduit coupled to a first conduit upstream of the primary inlet and coupled to the at least one injector at the first inlet to deliver the fluid, a fourth conduit coupled to a second conduit downstream of the primary outlet and coupled to the at least one injector at the second inlet to deliver the fluid, and a fifth conduit coupled to the at least one injector at the at least one outlet to receive the fluid and coupled to the pump at the secondary inlet.