Buoyancy driven passive vehicle air drying system and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
In aircraft, moisture from the cabin air condenses and freezes against the cold outer wall during high-altitude flights, leading to thawing and dripping back into the cabin through insulation layer holes, causing moisture issues due to the waterproof insulation layer's design.
Innovation Solution
A passive ventilation system comprising ducts that extend through the insulation layer, with one duct inlet in the cabin and outlet in the gap between the outer wall, and another duct inlet in the gap and outlet in the cabin, utilizing buoyancy-driven airflow to cool and freeze moisture, preventing it from re-entering the cabin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a waterproof insulation layer is used to maintain temperature, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but moisture accumulation and dripping into the cabin occurs during descent
Solution Approach 1:
A gap is introduced as an intermediary space between the outer wall and the insulation layer. This gap serves as a moisture collection zone where condensed moisture can accumulate and be drained away, preventing it from reaching the cabin while maintaining the thermal insulation function of the insulation layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall structure is segmented into distinct zones: the outer wall, the gap, the insulation layer, and the cabin. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the outer wall provides structural integrity and cold surface for condensation, the gap collects moisture, the insulation layer maintains temperature, and the cabin remains dry and comfortable.
2Strength
If support members extend through the insulation layer into the cabin, then structural support is provided, but moisture can drip through these openings into the cabin
Solution Approach 1:
The support members are positioned to extend through the insulation layer at an angle or in a configuration that allows them to provide structural support while their endpoints are located in the gap region rather than directly opening into the cabin space, preventing moisture drip paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The gap acts as an intermediary barrier that intercepts moisture before it can reach the cabin. Support members that extend through the insulation layer have their terminations positioned within this gap, allowing structural continuity while blocking the moisture drip path to the cabin.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If active air movement devices are used to remove moisture, then moisture control effectiveness is improved, but system complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the natural buoyancy of air and gravity-driven condensation to achieve moisture removal without requiring active air movement devices. Warm, moist air from the cabin naturally rises and contacts the cold outer wall through the insulation layer, condensing and draining into the gap where it is collected and removed, creating a self-sustaining moisture control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical air movement systems (fans, pumps) with passive physical processes - natural convection currents driven by temperature differences and gravity-driven drainage. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical components while maintaining effective moisture removal through the gap drainage 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
Effectively removes moisture by freezing it against the outer wall and directing it away from the cabin, preventing moisture from dripping back into the cabin and reducing humidity, without the need for active air movement devices.
Implementation Method 1
liquid from moist air in the cabin can condense against the cold outer wall and freeze
Implementation Method 2
liquid from moist air in the cabin can condense against the cold outer wall and freeze
Implementation Method 3
The first and second ducts are positioned for enabling air within the vehicle to passively move through the first duct and into the gap, move downward through the gap
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~6
AI summary
Ventilation systems and methods for controlling moisture in a vehicle. The ventilation systems include one or more inlet ducts (20) and outlet ducts (30) that extend through an inner wall 41 and into a gap (42) formed at an outer wall (40). The ventilation systems provide for passive air flow with air moving into the one or more inlet ducts and into the gap. The air is cooled against the outer wall and vertically drops along the gap. Moisture in the air freezes against the outer wall while the air is in the gap. The less humid air then moves through the one or more outlet ducts and back into the interior space.