Bidirectional Aircraft Water Conveying With Oscillating Pump Chambers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft water systems face challenges in optimizing space utilization and efficiently draining water due to the use of stainless steel or titanium pipes and flexible hoses, which complicate bidirectional fluid transport and increase weight and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A water conveying system with a pump chamber, oscillating member, and two controllable valves, controlled by a controller, allows bidirectional fluid flow without the need for complex rotational pumps or additional filtration, using an oscillating member to alternately increase and decrease the pump chamber volume and switch valve states for supply or drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional stainless steel or titanium pipes are used for water distribution, then structural strength and durability are improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The water distribution system is segmented into multiple pump chambers, each capable of independent operation. This allows the system to use simpler, lighter piping materials while maintaining structural integrity through distributed pumping stations throughout the aircraft.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamically controllable valves that can switch between supply and drainage modes. This dynamic control allows a single pipe network to serve dual purposes, reducing the need for separate dedicated supply and drainage lines, thereby simplifying the overall system structure and reducing weight.
2Weight of moving object
If flexible hoses with smaller diameter are used, then weight is reduced, but drainage capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamically controllable valves to actively manage fluid flow in flexible hoses. During drainage operations, the valves coordinate to create pressure differentials that enable effective draining despite the smaller hose diameter, overcoming the limitation of gravity-only drainage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces passive gravity-based drainage with an active pumping mechanism. The oscillating pump chambers can create suction and pressure to actively draw fluid through the flexible hoses in reverse flow direction, substituting mechanical pumping action for gravity-dependent flow.
3Adaptability or versatility
If bidirectional fluid transport is enabled, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges supply and drainage functions into a single integrated network. The same pipe network and pump chambers used for water supply are also used for drainage by reversing the flow direction through coordinated valve control, eliminating the need for separate dedicated supply and drainage systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillating pump chambers operate in periodic cycles, alternately creating pressure for supply mode and suction for drainage mode. This periodic operation, coordinated with the valve control system, enables seamless switching between bidirectional flow modes without requiring complex continuous control mechanisms.
4Adaptability or versatility
If rotational displacement pumps are used for bidirectional flow, then fluid transport capability is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single complex rotational pump, the system segments the pumping function into multiple simpler oscillating pump chambers. Each chamber operates independently with a simple reciprocating mechanism, collectively achieving bidirectional flow capability without requiring complex rotational displacement mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system inverts the conventional approach by using oscillating positive displacement chambers instead of rotational pumps. The oscillating members create alternating pressure and suction cycles that enable bidirectional flow, achieving the same functional result through a mechanically simpler, lighter, and more reliable reciprocating mechanism.
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 reduces complexity and weight by eliminating the need for rotational displacement pumps and additional filtration, providing a robust and cost-effective solution for bidirectional water conveyance in aircraft systems.
Implementation Method 1
a conveying device (110) having a pump chamber (113), an oscillating member (114, 116), a first port (111) and a second port (112), wherein the conveying device (110) is configured to move the oscillating member (114, 116) to alternately increase and decrease a volume of the pump chamber (113)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4(c)
Figure 5
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a water conveying system (100) comprising a conveying device (110) and two valves (121, 122), which can be changed in state to convey water in one of two opposite directions at a time. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a water supply and drainage system comprising such water conveying system and an aircraft comprising such water supply and drainage system.