Bootstrap Hydraulic Reservoir With Integrated Backup Accumulator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic fluid systems in aircraft require redundant power sources for backup, but traditional hydraulic accumulators add weight and complexity, increasing costs and reducing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A dual-purpose hydraulic accumulator that maintains pressure within a bootstrap chamber and provides backup power to the hydraulic fluid system, eliminating the need for a dedicated accumulator by using the same unit for both functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated hydraulic accumulator is provided for each redundant hydraulic fluid system, then backup hydraulic power is available, but weight and system complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bootstrap reservoir function with hydraulic accumulator function into a single integrated unit. The bootstrap chamber and piston chamber share a common structure where the piston separates the bootstrap fluid from the hydraulic fluid, allowing the same physical component to serve dual purposes: maintaining pump suction pressure and storing backup hydraulic energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The bootstrap reservoir is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains positive suction pressure for the hydraulic pump during normal operation and serves as a hydraulic accumulator to provide backup power during system failures. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated accumulators for each redundant system.
2Reliability
If a dedicated hydraulic accumulator is provided for each redundant hydraulic fluid system, then backup hydraulic power is available, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bootstrap reservoir function with hydraulic accumulator function into a single integrated unit. The bootstrap chamber and piston chamber share a common structure where the piston separates the bootstrap fluid from the hydraulic fluid, allowing the same physical component to serve dual purposes: maintaining pump suction pressure and storing backup hydraulic energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The bootstrap reservoir is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains positive suction pressure for the hydraulic pump during normal operation and serves as a hydraulic accumulator to provide backup power during system failures. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated accumulators for each redundant system.
3Reliability
If multiple redundant hydraulic fluid systems are provided with dedicated accumulators, then backup power redundancy is achieved, but weight penalty is multiplied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bootstrap reservoir function with hydraulic accumulator function into a single integrated unit. The bootstrap chamber and piston chamber share a common structure where the piston separates the bootstrap fluid from the hydraulic fluid, allowing the same physical component to serve dual purposes: maintaining pump suction pressure and storing backup hydraulic energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The bootstrap reservoir is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains positive suction pressure for the hydraulic pump during normal operation and serves as a hydraulic accumulator to provide backup power during system failures. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated accumulators for each redundant system.
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 reduces the weight and complexity of the hydraulic fluid system, enhancing the efficiency of the aircraft by providing backup power without adding extra weight or complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic accumulator fluidly connected to the pressure line of the hydraulic fluid system such that the hydraulic accumulator is configured to accumulate pressurized hydraulic fluid from the pressure line
Implementation Method 2
a piston having a bootstrap end portion held within the bootstrap chamber and a pressure end portion held within the piston chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A bootstrap hydraulic reservoir includes a bootstrap chamber to hold hydraulic fluid, a piston chamber fluidly connected to a pressure line of the hydraulic fluid system, a piston having a bootstrap end portion held within the bootstrap chamber and a pressure end portion held within the piston chamber, and a hydraulic accumulator fluidly connected to the pressure line of the hydraulic fluid system. The hydraulic accumulator accumulates pressurized hydraulic fluid from the pressure line. The bootstrap hydraulic reservoir also includes a valve fluidly connected to the pressure line of the hydraulic fluid system between the hydraulic accumulator and an outlet of a pump of the hydraulic fluid system. The valve includes an actuator selectively moves the valve to an open position when the pressure line of the hydraulic fluid system is de-pressurized.