Open-Frame Cold Regulating Valve for Low-Drag Fan Duct Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing cold regulating valve in aircraft propulsion systems creates drag in the fan duct when in a closed position, adversely affecting the propulsion system's performance.
Innovation Solution
A cold regulating valve with an open frame design and movable shutters that reduce drag by allowing the air flow to pass through without obstruction, featuring a half-cylindrical shape with curved side walls and guidance tracks for smooth operation, and an actuator mechanism for transitioning between open and closed positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a butterfly type valve with a flat plate is used to regulate cold air flow, then the valve can effectively control the quantity of cold air introduced into the heat exchanger, but the closed flat plate creates a closed cavity within the fan duct generating drag and adversely affecting propulsion system performance
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is segmented into a fixed frame and movable shutters that can independently control flow while maintaining an open configuration. The shutters divide the flow path without creating a closed cavity, allowing flow regulation without generating drag.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of closing the flow path with a solid plate (butterfly valve), the invention inverts the approach by using an open frame structure with movable shutters that redirect flow around openings. This maintains flow path openness even in the closed position, eliminating drag while preserving flow control capability.
2Reliability
If a solid plate valve is used to close the cold air flow, then the valve achieves complete flow closure, but it creates a closed cavity that generates drag and reduces propulsion system efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The valve structure is segmented into multiple shutters within an open frame, allowing flow closure through distributed shutters rather than a single solid plate. This maintains an open overall configuration that prevents drag generation while achieving flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve adopts a porous-like open frame structure with multiple openings instead of a solid plate. This allows the valve to close flow through shutter positioning while maintaining an open configuration that prevents drag, similar to how porous materials allow flow through their structure.
3Ease of operation
If a butterfly valve flat plate is positioned in the fan duct, then the valve can regulate cold air flow to the heat exchanger, but the closed position creates drag that adversely affects fan duct performance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the traditional valve approach by using an open frame with movable shutters instead of a solid closing plate. This allows flow regulation while maintaining an open configuration that eliminates drag force generation in the fan duct.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve design adds dimensional complexity with multiple shutters and an open frame structure, transforming the simple 2D flat plate into a 3D open configuration. This dimensional change allows flow control functionality while maintaining fan duct openness to avoid drag.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a cold regulating valve (34) for a heat exchanger system of an aircraft propulsion system, where the cold regulating valve (34) comprises an open frame (40) which delimits an opening (45), two shutters (51,52) with an external convex shape slidely mounted on the open frame (40) between a closed position and an open position, a mechanism (60) linked to the shutters (51,52) and mobile between a first position and a second position, and wherein the mechanism (60) moves the shutters (51,52) from the closed position to the open position when it moves from the first position to the second position and vice versa, and an actuator acting on the mechanism to move it from the first position to the second position and vice versa. The specific embodiment of the cold regulating valve (34) generates a low drag when the shutters are in closed position.