Bleed Valve Module Cooling Shroud Vibration Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft bleed valve systems are prone to failure due to extreme vibration and high temperatures, leading to reduced reliability and lifespan of components such as pneumatic valve controllers and bleed valves.

Innovation Solution

A vibration-isolated bleed valve module is mounted adjacent to a fan air plenum, with a pneumatic valve controller cooled by fan air to mitigate temperature and vibration effects, allowing for closer placement of temperature-sensitive electrical control elements and improved feedback monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If bleed valve control components are mounted adjacent to the compressor to control bleed air flow, then control effectiveness is improved, but exposure to extreme heat and vibration increases component failure risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent reliabilityVSAvoidheat and vibration exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pneumatic valve controller is extracted from the high-temperature compressor environment and relocated to a cooler region of the aircraft structure. The controller housing includes insulation and thermal barriers to further protect sensitive electronic and pneumatic components from residual heat, thereby improving reliability without sacrificing control effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Thermal insulation materials and vibration-damping mounts are introduced as intermediary elements between the controller and the external environment. These intermediaries shield the controller from extreme heat and vibration while allowing the controller to remain positioned for effective bleed air flow management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If electrical control elements are placed close to bleed valves for improved feedback monitoring, then control precision is improved, but temperature sensitivity causes element failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeedback monitoring precisionVSAvoidelectrical element temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical control elements are nested within an insulated housing that is itself mounted to the aircraft structure away from the compressor. This nested configuration allows close proximity to bleed valves for feedback monitoring while maintaining a thermal barrier that protects temperature-sensitive elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The controller housing features localized thermal management, with insulation concentrated around temperature-sensitive electrical elements while allowing other portions of the housing to be positioned closer to the bleed valve assembly for optimal feedback monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Duration of action of stationary object

If bleed valve module is vibration-isolated from the support structure, then component lifespan is improved, but mounting stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent lifespanVSAvoidmounting stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Vibration-damping mounts and shock-absorbing elements are installed beforehand between the bleed valve module and the aircraft support structure. These cushioning elements reduce vibration transmission to protect components and extend lifespan while maintaining secure mounting through distributed attachment points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 configuration enhances the reliability and lifespan of bleed valve control system components by reducing the impact of heat and vibration, improving control precision and reducing wear on bleed valves through reduced control oscillations.

Implementation Method 1

The fan air duct connects the cooling shroud to the fan air plenum such that fan air flows through the cooling shroud to cool the plurality of electrical control elements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentUS10982594B2Bleed valve module with position feedback and cooling shroud

Publication Date: 2021.04.20 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP

AI summary

A bleed valve control system for mounting to a support structure adjacent to a fan air plenum within an aircraft includes a bleed valve module, a pneumatic valve controller, and a fan air duct. The bleed valve module includes a pipe, a plurality of bleed valves connected to the pipe, and a plurality of pneumatic actuators connected to the bleed valves. The pneumatic valve controller includes a plurality of electrical control elements and a cooling shroud. The cooling shroud is attached to the pipe and at least partially surrounds the plurality of electrical control elements. The fan air duct connects the cooling shroud to the fan air plenum such that fan air flows through the cooling shroud to cool the plurality of electrical control elements.