Bi-Directional Coanda Valve With Internal Sealing for Fast Flow Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Coanda valve technologies for aircraft flight control suffer from slow response times, fluid leakage, and reliability issues, particularly under high system pressures required for flight control, leading to inconsistent and unreliable direction control of aerodynamic forces.
Innovation Solution
A bi-directional Coanda valve system with a movable Coanda surface and internal structure that prevents leakage by creating a seal through a partial cylinder with a wedge extension, allowing continuous rotation and control of fluid flow direction without external valves, enabling faster response times and reliable operation at high pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If external valves are used to control fluid direction in Coanda devices, then the device can change flow direction, but the response time becomes slow and the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes external valves from the system entirely. The Coanda surface itself is made movable to directly control fluid direction without requiring separate external valve components, thereby eliminating the complexity and slow response time associated with external valve mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The Coanda surface is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically change position to redirect fluid flow. This dynamic capability enables fast response times without the need for external valves, as the surface itself adapts to control the flow direction.
2Stress or pressure
If Coanda devices operate at high system pressures required for flight control, then the aerodynamic forces are sufficient, but fluid leakage occurs and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates a sealing structure that prevents fluid leakage before it can occur. The seal is positioned to block the leakage path at the source, countering the high pressure tendency to cause leakage and maintaining reliability under flight control pressure conditions.
3Reliability
If redundant valves are used to ensure reliable direction control, then the control reliability improves, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention eliminates the need for redundant valves by making the Coanda surface itself controllable. This single movable surface provides reliable direction control without requiring multiple backup valve components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining or improving reliability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a movable Coanda surface is used to continuously change fluid direction, then the control precision and versatility improve, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The Coanda surface is designed as a movable component that can be positioned at different angles to continuously vary fluid direction. This dynamic design provides continuous variable control and high versatility, allowing precise control of aerodynamic forces for various flight conditions.
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 provides a continuously variable control of fluid direction, minimizing latency in aircraft attitude changes and eliminating the need for redundant valves, ensuring reliable operation and efficient control of aerodynamic forces even at high pressures, thus enhancing aircraft maneuverability and stability.
Implementation Method 1
Air or water exiting from a jet placed close to a curved surface will follow the curvature of the surface, which is known as the Coanda effect. The Coanda effect causes the direction of the jet force to change.
Data Source
AI summary
A Coanda system for controlling directions of an aircraft. The system includes a fluid passage defined in part by a casing wall having an inner surface facing the fluid passage. The fluid passage is configured to pass fluid from a first end inlet to a second end outlet. A fluid control element including a Coanda surface is disposed at the second end outlet. The fluid control element is moveable within the second end outlet to direct the fluid exiting the fluid passage between an upper gap and a lower gap, around the Coanda surface. A contour element is disposed on the inner surface of the casing wall upstream of the fluid control element, and further assists in directing the fluid to the open gap.