Annular Ejector Aspirator for Compact Aircraft Evacuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft evacuation systems face challenges with bulky aspirators that occupy valuable space and weight, due to their axial-flow design which requires lengthy mixing lengths for gas transfer, leading to inefficient pack density and weight management.
Innovation Solution
The aspirator assembly features an outer and inner housing with a manifold providing pressurized gas through gas ejector nozzles, divided into annulus segments by radially protruding vanes to ensure complete mixing and compact design, along with a check cap and biasing member for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If axial-flow aspirator design is used, then gas mixing function is achieved, but device volume and length increase
Solution Approach 1:
The annulus is divided into multiple annulus segments by radially protruding vanes, creating segmented flow paths that enhance gas mixing while maintaining a compact overall structure. This segmentation allows efficient momentum transfer without requiring a lengthy axial mixing zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from axial-flow (one-dimensional) to annular-flow with radial vanes (two-dimensional), enabling gas mixing to occur in a radial direction rather than requiring extended axial length. This dimensional change achieves effective mixing within a compact volume.
2Weight of moving object
If axial-flow aspirator design is used, then gas aspiration function is achieved, but device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The annular flow path is segmented by radial vanes into multiple sections, allowing efficient gas distribution and mixing in a compact configuration. This reduces the overall mass of the aspirator while maintaining effective inflation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic principles through the annular ejector design where pressurized gas flows through the annulus and interacts with atmospheric gas, achieving efficient aspiration and mixing without mechanical moving parts, thereby reducing weight.
3Volume of stationary object
If compact annular design is used, then pack density improves, but gas mixing completeness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Radial vanes divide the annulus into multiple segments, creating controlled flow paths that ensure complete mixing of primary and secondary gases within the compact annular space. Each segment acts as a独立的 mixing zone, guaranteeing thorough gas combination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes parameters such as annulus gap width, vane angle, and segment configuration to achieve complete gas mixing within a compact volume. By carefully controlling these geometric parameters, the design ensures adequate mixing length-to-width ratio despite the reduced overall size.
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 compact aspirator assembly ensures efficient gas mixing and inflation while minimizing space and weight, maintaining a suitable length-to-width ratio for effective operation in aircraft evacuation systems.
Implementation Method 1
a manifold providing pressurized gas to the annulus via a plurality of gas ejector nozzles
Data Source
AI summary
An aspirator assembly for an inflatable device includes an outer housing disposed about an axis, an inner housing disposed about the axis, and a manifold coupled through the outer housing to an annulus located between the inner housing and the outer housing, the manifold providing pressurized gas to said annulus via a plurality of gas ejector nozzles. The annulus may be divided into a plurality of annulus segments by a plurality of vanes protruding radially from the inner housing.