Aircraft Water Supply Temperature Control Using Dual-Valve Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft water supply systems struggle to maintain a consistent water temperature due to environmental factors and heater performance variations, leading to difficulties in supplying water at a user-specified temperature.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft water supply system that includes a cold water flow path, a hot water flow path, first and second control valves, and a temperature sensor to adjust the flow rates of cold and hot water based on detected temperature, ensuring accurate temperature control at the water discharge port.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electromagnetic valves are used to control water temperature by adjusting flow rate ratios, then temperature adjustment capability is improved, but temperature control precision deteriorates due to environmental factors and heater performance variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a temperature sensor that continuously monitors the actual water temperature and feeds this information back to the control unit. The control unit compares the detected temperature with the target temperature and dynamically adjusts the duty ratios of the first and second electromagnetic valves accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism compensates for environmental factors and heater performance variations, maintaining precise temperature control despite external disturbances.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit automatically adjusts the electromagnetic valve duty ratios based on real-time temperature feedback without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates by detecting temperature deviations and autonomously modifying the flow rate ratios of cold and hot water to maintain the desired temperature, enabling the system to serve itself in maintaining temperature precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If duty ratio of electromagnetic valves is changed to adjust temperature, then temperature setting flexibility is improved, but reliability of constant temperature supply deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor continuously monitors the actual water temperature and feeds this information back to the control unit. The control unit compares the detected temperature with the target temperature and dynamically adjusts the duty ratios of the first and second electromagnetic valves accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures reliable constant temperature supply by compensating for fluctuations in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static temperature control approach to a dynamic one. The electromagnetic valves' duty ratios are continuously adjusted based on real-time temperature conditions rather than remaining fixed. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to changing environmental factors and maintain reliable constant temperature supply throughout operation.
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 effectively controls the temperature of water discharged from the aircraft water supply system with high accuracy, ensuring it meets user-specified or set temperatures, even under varying environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor that detects a water temperature at any point up to the water discharge port
Implementation Method 2
a first control valve that adjusts a flow rate of the cold water flowing through the cold water flow path; a second control valve that adjusts a flow rate of the hot water flowing through the hot water flow path
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 temperature sensor detects the water temperature 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 temperature sensor.