Brake Valve Assembly for Rapid Hydraulic Burst Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brake control systems in aircraft fail to effectively detect and isolate hydraulic line bursts in emergency systems, leading to potential depletion of the main hydraulic supply and damage to the brake system.
Innovation Solution
A valve assembly comprising a check valve and a shutoff valve integrated into a monolithic module, positioned close to the supply intersection, with a pressure transducer downstream of the check valve to continuously monitor pressure and trigger the solenoid valve to close upon detecting a pressure drop, isolating the emergency hydraulic system from the main supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a pressure transducer is placed downstream of the check valve to detect hydraulic line bursts, then the detection capability is improved, but the response time is delayed due to the distance from the supply intersection
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is pre-positioned close to the supply intersection (within one foot) before any burst event occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that when a burst is detected, the solenoid valve can close rapidly to isolate the emergency system from the main hydraulic supply, minimizing the time for hydraulic fluid loss and maintaining system pressure integrity.
2Loss of time
If the valve assembly is positioned close to the supply intersection, then the response time for isolating bursts is improved, but the device complexity increases due to integration of multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly merges multiple components (solenoid valve, check valve, pressure transducer, and housing) into a single integrated assembly positioned close to the supply intersection. This consolidation reduces the overall system complexity while enabling rapid response by having all necessary components co-located, eliminating the need for separate distributed components and reducing installation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly performs multiple functions within a single integrated structure: the solenoid valve provides on-demand isolation, the check valve prevents backflow, the pressure transducer monitors for bursts, and the housing consolidates all components. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate devices needed while maintaining rapid response capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the solenoid valve is integrated with the check valve and pressure transducer in a monolithic module, then the ease of installation is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The solenoid valve, check valve, and pressure transducer are merged into a single monolithic valve assembly that can be installed as one unit close to the supply intersection. This integration simplifies installation by reducing the number of separate components to be mounted and connected, while the manufacturing precision is managed through standardized interfaces and tolerances in the housing design.
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 solution enables rapid detection and isolation of hydraulic line bursts, protecting the main hydraulic system and maintaining hydraulic supply to the brake system, thereby preventing uncommanded brake conditions and potential system damage.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure transducer downstream of the check valve to continuously monitor pressure
Implementation Method 2
trigger the solenoid valve to close upon detecting a pressure drop
Implementation Method 3
A valve assembly comprising a check valve and a shutoff valve integrated into a monolithic module
Data Source
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AI summary
A valve assembly (30) may comprise: a housing (410) defining an inlet port (415), an outlet port (419), a solenoid valve inlet port (416), and a solenoid valve outlet port (418), the inlet port (415) in fluid communication with the solenoid valve inlet port (416); a shutoff valve (430) disposed in the housing (410), the shutoff valve (430) including a shutoff valve inlet port in fluid communication with the inlet port (415) and a shutoff valve outlet port in fluid communication with the outlet port (419), and a second shutoff valve inlet port in fluid communication with the solenoid valve outlet port (418); a filter disposed downstream of the valve inlet port; and a check valve disposed between the shutoff valve outlet port and the outlet port (419) of the housing (410).