Angled Poppet Valve Assembly for Low-Force Bleed Air Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve assemblies for gas turbine engines face challenges in efficiently controlling bleed air flow with minimal force requirements and reduced turbulence, while also being compact and lightweight, especially in aircraft applications where size and weight are critical.
Innovation Solution
A valve assembly design that includes a poppet valve with a fluid passage orientation and location minimizing forces on the poppet, allowing it to remain closed with reduced spring force, and incorporating a position sensor assembly for precise control, enabling both normally open and closed configurations with minimal interference in the fluid passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the poppet valve is positioned to minimize forces on the poppet, then the spring force required to keep the valve closed is reduced, but the valve assembly becomes more complex in terms of fluid passage orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid passage is oriented at an angle relative to the poppet valve axis, transitioning from a conventional axial arrangement to a multi-dimensional configuration. This angular orientation allows the fluid flow to act on the poppet in a direction that naturally assists the closing force, reducing the spring force requirement while maintaining effective flow control.
2Weight of moving object
If the valve assembly is made smaller and lighter, then it becomes more suitable for aircraft applications, but the precision of flow control may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
A position sensor assembly is integrated to provide precise feedback on the poppet valve position, replacing reliance on purely mechanical dimensions for flow control precision. This sensing system enables accurate control with a compact design by providing real-time position data for electronic control systems to optimize valve operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly uses variable spring force and adjustable fluid passage orientation to optimize performance across different operating conditions. By changing these parameters dynamically, the system maintains precise flow control while minimizing the physical size and weight of the assembly.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the poppet valve minimizes interference in the fluid passage when open, then turbulence is reduced, but the valve opening geometry becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The poppet valve and valve seat are designed with curved, spherical surfaces that allow the poppet to roll or pivot smoothly when opening and closing. This curved geometry minimizes abrupt flow disruptions and turbulence while the poppet is in transition, and maintains a simple overall valve structure despite the complex opening path.
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 design achieves efficient control of air flow with reduced turbulence and smaller, lighter weight valve assemblies, suitable for aircraft applications, and allows for proportional control configurations, enhancing performance and reliability in turbine engines.
Implementation Method 1
At least one biasing element can be disposed within the valve chamber and can bias the valve member into the opened position
Implementation Method 2
Fluid pressure from the fluid in the fluid passage does not create additional force that would encourage the poppet or valve member to remain in the closed position
Data Source
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AI summary
A valve assembly (200, 300, 400) that can be used in a bleed air system or any other pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical, magnetic, or electrical system that includes a valve assembly. The value assembly (200, 300, 400) includes a valve housing (220), a valve member (230), a pressure regulator (210, 410), and a position sensor assembly (240, 340). The valve housing (220) includes an inlet (251a) and outlet (251b) that is angled from the inlet (251a). The valve member (230) slides between a first position wherein the valve member (230) is closed and abuts a seat (232) within the valve housing (220) and a second position wherein the valve member (230) is in a position a distance away from the seat (232).