Aircraft Water Supply Flow Control Without Constant Flow Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft water supply systems require constant flow valves, which are industrial products with fixed flow rates, leading to increased part numbers and costs, and are prone to leaks.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft water supply system that controls the opening and closing of first and second control valves based on flow sensor detections to adjust water flow rates and temperatures, eliminating the need for constant flow valves and allowing for customizable flow rates and temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a constant flow valve is used to maintain constant water flow rate, then the flow rate stability is improved, but the device complexity and part number increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the constant flow valve from the system entirely. Instead of using a mechanical constant flow valve to maintain stable flow rate, the system extracts this function by using the control valves (30, 32) in conjunction with flow sensors (36A, 36B) and a control unit (40) to actively regulate and maintain the desired flow rate through feedback control, thereby eliminating the need for the separate constant flow valve component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by installing flow sensors (36A, 36B) that detect the actual flow rates in the cold and hot water flow paths. The control unit (40) receives these detection values and adjusts the opening/closing states of the control valves (30, 32) to maintain the desired flow rate, replacing the passive mechanical constant flow valve with an active feedback-based control system.
2Ease of operation
If a constant flow valve with fixed specifications is used, then the flow rate control is simplified, but the adaptability to different flow rate requirements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the flow rate control dynamic and adjustable. The control unit (40) can adjust the opening/closing states of the control valves (30, 32) based on detection values from flow sensors (36A, 36B) to achieve a desired flow rate. This allows the system to adapt to different flow rate requirements (such as water saving mode versus normal mode) without being constrained by fixed valve specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables parameter changes in the flow rate control system. By changing the desired flow rate parameter in the control unit (40), the system can adjust the opening/closing states of control valves (30, 32) to achieve different flow rates. This allows flexible adaptation to various operational requirements without physical hardware changes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple constant flow valves with different flow rates are provided to meet different requirements, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the control valves (30, 32) universal and multi-functional. Instead of having separate constant flow valves for different flow rate requirements, the control valves can be controlled by the control unit (40) to provide multiple flow rate outputs (such as 180L/h, 90L/h, 45L/h) based on the same hardware components. This single set of control valves replaces what would otherwise require multiple specialized valves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic adjustment of flow rates using the same hardware. The control unit (40) can dynamically adjust the opening/closing states of control valves (30, 32) to provide different flow rates as needed, allowing one set of valves to perform the function of multiple fixed-flow-rate valves, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
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 system provides a simple, low-cost structure with adjustable flow rates and temperatures, reducing water usage and weight, enhancing convenience, and detecting leaks early to minimize damage.
Implementation Method 1
a water heater is provided in the hot water flow path, and water in the water tank is heated and hot water flows through the hot water flow path
Implementation Method 2
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
Figure 1
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AI summary
An aircraft water supply system (10) supplies water to a water discharge port (12) in an aircraft. A cold water flow path (16) supplies cold water to the water discharge port (12). A hot water flow path (18) supplies hot water to the water discharge port (12). A first control valve (30) adjusts the flow rate of cold water flowing through the cold water flow path (16). A second control valve (32) adjusts the flow rate of hot water flowing through the hot water flow path (18). A flow sensor (36) detects the flow rate of water at any point up to the water discharge port (12). A flow control unit (40) controls the opening/closing state of the first control valve (30) and the second control valve (32) based on the water temperature detected by the flow sensor (36) so that the amount of the water discharged from the water discharge port (12) reaches a predetermined target flow rate.