Aircraft Check Valve with Nested Mass-Spring Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft non-return valves in inerting gas distribution systems wear out quickly due to oscillations caused by inerting gas flow, necessitating frequent replacements and impacting safety and environmental performance.
Innovation Solution
A non-return valve design incorporating a primary mass/spring system and a secondary mass/spring system within the control rod, oscillating in opposite phases to reduce overall movement and wear, with optional adaptations to existing check valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a non-return valve is used in an aircraft inerting gas distribution system, then fuel vapor backflow is prevented, but the valve wears out quickly due to oscillations caused by gas flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration principles by introducing a secondary mass/spring system that oscillates in opposite phase to the primary valve assembly. This creates counter-vibrations that cancel out the harmful oscillations caused by inerting gas flow, thereby reducing wear and extending valve service life while maintaining reliability
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the valve oscillations are reduced by adding a secondary mass/spring system, then wear is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements the nesting principle by placing the secondary mass/spring system inside the control rod of the primary valve assembly. The control rod is hollowed out to accommodate the weight and second spring, creating a compact nested structure that reduces wear without significantly increasing overall device complexity
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 new valve design significantly reduces wear, enhances reliability, and lowers the frequency of replacements, contributing to improved aircraft performance and reduced environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
A spring 112 is also arranged so that its first end is connected to the valve 109 and its second end to the body of the check valve 106 in order to keep the valve 109 in the closed position
Implementation Method 2
The passage of the inerting gas through the non-return valve 109 tends to generate oscillations within the valve
Implementation Method 3
The spring is connected at one of its two ends to the control rod and at the other of its two ends to the weight. The assembly formed by the valve and the first spring constitutes a primary mass/spring system that tends to oscillate as gas passes through it. Advantageously, the assembly formed by the weight and the second spring creates a secondary mass/spring system that can also oscillate, but in opposite phase to the primary mass/spring system
Implementation Method 4
This significantly reduces the overall movement of the check valve (excluding the main movements between the open and closed positions)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a non-return valve for a gas distribution system of an aircraft, the valve comprising a valve component (9) provided with a control rod (10) for the valve component, the valve component being intended to slide along a first axis (X) between a closed position in which the valve component engages in use with a seat (11) of the distribution system and an open position in which the valve component is moved away from the seat, the valve comprising a first spring (12) arranged outside the control rod and tending in use to hold the valve component against the seat, the valve comprising an assembly comprising at least one weight (18) and a second spring (19) which are arranged at least partially inside the control rod, the spring being connected at a first of its two ends to the control rod and at a second of its two ends to the weight. The invention also relates to a corresponding system.