Aircraft On-Board Water Spray System for Runway Simulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for simulating wet runway conditions for aircraft tire and braking system testing require ground vehicles to manually distribute water, which is inefficient and lacks control over uniform water application.

Innovation Solution

An on-board system on the aircraft that includes a liquid container, air pressurization, a flow control system, and a nozzle to spray water uniformly onto the runway, with a controller adjusting flow rates based on speed to maintain a consistent water depth of 0.04 inches, allowing for automatic control to maintain ideal flow rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If ground vehicles are used to manually distribute water, then water application is achieved, but efficiency and control over uniform water application deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting efficiencyVSAvoidwater application uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The aircraft carries and deploys its own water spray system, eliminating dependence on external ground vehicles. The system uses the aircraft's own air pressure systems (bleed air) to power the spray nozzles, making the aircraft self-sufficient for wet runway simulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates flow meters and controllers that monitor water flow rates and adjust valve openings accordingly. Speed sensors provide feedback on aircraft ground speed, allowing the control system to maintain consistent water application depth (around 0.04 inches) by adjusting flow rates to accommodate speed changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If manual water distribution is used, then water can be applied to the runway, but control over flow rate and water depth deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater application controlVSAvoidwater depth consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts water flow rate parameters based on measured aircraft speed. The controller modifies valve opening degrees to maintain optimal water application depth regardless of speed variations, transforming the system from static to adaptive operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If ground vehicles are used for water distribution, then water application is possible, but system complexity and coordination requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting efficiencyVSAvoidsystem coordination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The water spray system is extracted from external ground vehicles and integrated directly onto the aircraft. This eliminates the need for coordination between multiple independent systems (ground vehicles and aircraft) and consolidates the water application function within the aircraft itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The water storage tanks, pressurization system, flow control valves, and spray nozzles are merged into a single integrated system mounted on the aircraft. This consolidation simplifies operations by eliminating the need for separate ground support equipment and coordination protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables efficient and controlled simulation of wet runway conditions without ground vehicles, ensuring consistent water application depth and accommodating varying aircraft speeds, thereby effectively testing aircraft performance and tire/braking system functionality.

Implementation Method 1

The container can be a tank system which receives air under pressure from an air source, e.g., bleed air, to compel the delivery of water from the tank to the nozzle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

A nozzle is positioned to spray a liquid onto the ground in front of a wheel of the aircraft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpray: Spray

Data Source

PatentUS9566597B2On-board water spray system for aircraft

Publication Date: 2017.02.14 TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC

AI summary

A system for simulating wet runway conditions by using a liquid container that is placed inside an aircraft. The liquid container is connected to a nozzle that sprays water in front of the wheels of the aircraft. A valve is used to control the flow of water from the nozzle. Systems, such as the braking system of the aircraft, can then be tested in wet runway conditions simulated by the system. The amount of water sprayed from the nozzle can also be electronically controlled in relation to the speed of the aircraft, such that the nozzle sprays a nearly uniform layer of liquid in front of the wheels. The system can also be modified to include two tanks to manipulate the center of gravity of the aircraft.