Integrated Bleed Air Relief Valve for Overpressure Isolation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current air bleed systems in aircraft require separate pressure relief and air discharge valves, leading to potential critical failures and increased costs, as the discharge and closure thresholds are often identical and independently controlled.

Innovation Solution

An integrated pressure relief valve with a valve body, closure member, and air discharge channel that automatically connects the upstream face discharge opening to an evacuation opening when in the closed position, allowing air to be evacuated outside the system while isolating downstream equipment, eliminating the need for a separate relief valve.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If separate pressure relief valve and air discharge valve are used, then each valve can be independently controlled, but the system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent control of valvesVSAvoidnumber of valves in system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the pressure relief function and air discharge function into a single integrated valve assembly. The valve body contains both the pressure relief mechanism (with diaphragm and piston) and the air discharge channel, eliminating the need for separate relief valves and reducing system complexity while maintaining independent control capabilities through the calibrated spring mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If separate pressure relief valve and air discharge valve are used, then each function can be independently controlled, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent control of valvesVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated valve design consolidates multiple functions into a single manufacturable component. The valve body, closure member, and air discharge channel are formed as one assembly, reducing the number of parts to manufacture, assemble, and inventory, thereby reducing overall system cost while maintaining the capability for independent control through the calibrated spring mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If pressure relief valve blocks air supply to equipment, then equipment is protected from overpressure, but pressure in bleed pipe increases requiring separate relief valve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment protection from overpressureVSAvoidpressure in bleed pipe

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The air discharge channel is pre-configured within the valve body to automatically activate when the closure member blocks the air circulation duct. The discharge opening and evacuation opening are positioned such that when the valve closes to protect downstream equipment, the trapped air is automatically routed through the discharge channel to the atmosphere, preventing pressure buildup without requiring a separate relief valve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 simultaneously performs the isolating and air discharge functions, reducing system complexity and costs by integrating the pressure relief and air discharge mechanisms, ensuring effective pressure management and equipment protection without additional relief valves.

Implementation Method 1

a closure member pivotally mounted in said air circulation duct about a pivot axis, between an open position in which air can freely circulate from said air inlet to said air outlet, and a closed position in which said closure member has a surface, called the upstream face, which extends across the circulation duct so as to prevent any circulation of air toward said air outlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical blockage:

Implementation Method 2

at least one air discharge channel passing through said valve body configured to spontaneously fluidically connect, when said closure member is in said closed position, at least one air discharge opening formed on said upstream face of said closure member and at least one air evacuation opening which opens to the outside of the air circulation duct

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid communication:

Implementation Method 3

a pressure sensor designed to measure the air pressure in said supply pipe and/or in said air equipment, a pressure relief valve mounted in said air supply pipe and configured to block the air supply to said equipment in the event of overpressure detected by said pressure sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure detection:

Data Source

PatentUS11242932B2Air sampling system equipped with an overpressure valve

Publication Date: 2022.02.08 LIEBHERR AEROSPACE TOULOUSE

AI summary

The invention relates to an air bleed system comprising an air bleed port provided on an engine of an aircraft, an air supply pipe, a pressure sensor, a pressure relief valve mounted in said air supply pipe, characterized in that said pressure relief valve comprises: a valve body (11); a closure member (121) pivotally mounted in said air circulation duct; and an air discharge channel (13) passing through said valve body (11); at least one air discharge opening (15) formed on said upstream face of said closure member (121) and at least one air evacuation opening (19) which opens out to the outside of the air circulation duct.