Aircraft Water Supply System with Adjustable Flow Rate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing aircraft water supply systems rely on constant flow valves, which are inflexible and require replacement to adjust water discharge rates, leading to increased part numbers and manufacturing costs, and do not allow for user-preferred flow rates.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a cold water flow path, a hot water flow path, first and second control valves, and flow sensors to adjust the flow rates of cold and hot water, allowing for precise control of the water discharge rate at the water discharge port, eliminating the need for a constant flow valve and enabling adjustable flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a constant flow valve is used to maintain constant water discharge rate, then the flow rate stability is improved, but the adaptability to different flow rate requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the static constant flow valve with dynamic control valves (first and second control valves) that can adjust their opening degrees in real-time based on feedback from flow sensors, enabling the system to adapt to different flow rate requirements while maintaining stability through active control
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow rate parameter dynamically by adjusting the opening degrees of the control valves based on detected flow rates and user preferences, allowing the same hardware to provide multiple flow rate settings rather than being fixed to a single value
2Adaptability or versatility
If a constant flow valve is replaced to change water discharge rate, then the flow rate adaptability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control valves and flow sensors serve multiple functions: they detect flow rates, control water supply to the mixing means, and enable both constant flow mode and variable flow mode operations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized components
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing water supply infrastructure and adds minimal components (control valves and flow sensors) that automatically regulate flow based on detected conditions, making the system self-adjusting without requiring complex external control mechanisms
3Device complexity
If compressed air pressure is used to drive water flow, then the system simplicity is improved, but the flow rate control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates flow sensors that detect the actual flow rate and provide feedback to the control valves, which then adjust their opening degrees to maintain the desired flow rate, compensating for fluctuations in compressed air pressure through closed-loop control
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 solution provides a simple, cost-effective aircraft water supply system that allows for adjustable water flow rates, improving convenience and reducing the weight of water carried, which enhances fuel efficiency, while maintaining user-specified flow and temperature preferences.
Implementation Method 1
a flow sensor that detects a flow rate of water at any point up to the water discharge port
Implementation Method 2
a flow control unit that controls an opening/closing state of the first control valve and the second control valve based on a detection value of the flow sensor
Implementation Method 3
the water tank is filled with compressed air and is configured such that water flows in the direction toward the water discharge port by the pressure from the compressed air
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft water supply system supplies water to a water discharge port in an aircraft. A cold water flow path supplies cold water to the water discharge port. A hot water flow path supplies hot water to the water discharge port. A first control valve adjusts the flow rate of cold water flowing through the cold water flow path. A second control valve adjusts the flow rate of hot water flowing through the hot water flow path. A flow sensor detects the flow rate of water at any point up to the water discharge port. A flow control unit controls the opening/closing state of the first control valve and the second control valve based on the water temperature detected by the flow sensor so that the amount of the water discharged from the water discharge port reaches a predetermined target flow rate.