Compressor Add-Heat Plenum for Rapid Deicing and Surge Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft compressors face issues with ice formation at the inlet due to freezing temperatures, leading to reduced performance and potential damage, and may operate in undesirable surge conditions, requiring an efficient deicing and surge control solution.
Innovation Solution
A compact compressed air unit with a valve system that uses a short duct to direct heated air from the compressor outlet to the inlet, employing an annular wall in the add-heat plenum to rapidly deice and control surge by quickly heating the inlet and adjusting pressure ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a conventional valve system with longer ducts is used to control surge and deice the compressor inlet, then the device can provide heated air to prevent ice formation, but the response time is delayed and the system occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the surge control valve and add-heat plenum into a single integrated assembly located at the compressor inlet. The valve body directly houses the plenum chamber, eliminating the need for separate ducts and reducing the overall system volume while maintaining rapid response capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The add-heat plenum is designed as an annular chamber surrounding the inlet flow path. This annular configuration allows the heated air to be delivered directly to the inlet in a compact radial arrangement, reducing the axial length and overall system footprint while maintaining effective heat transfer.
2Reliability
If heated air is provided to the compressor inlet to prevent ice formation, then deicing effectiveness is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly serves multiple functions: it controls surge by regulating inlet flow and simultaneously provides heated air for deicing through the integrated add-heat plenum. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining deicing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the compressor's own outlet air, which is already heated due to compression, and redirects it through the annular plenum to the inlet for deicing. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external heating sources or additional energy input systems, reducing complexity while maintaining reliable deicing functionality.
3Reliability
If the valve is located far from the compressor inlet to manage surge, then surge control is achieved, but the response time for both surge control and deicing is slowed
Solution Approach 1:
The surge control valve and add-heat plenum are merged into a single integrated assembly located directly at the compressor inlet. This co-location ensures that both surge control and deicing actions are applied simultaneously at the source, eliminating the time delay that would occur with separate remotely located systems.
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 prevents ice formation and surge conditions, ensuring rapid response and maintaining compressor performance while avoiding damage.
Implementation Method 1
Hot air from the compressor outlet is provided to the plenum to heat the annular wall quickly at the inlet to prevent deicing
Implementation Method 2
A valve (32) between the inlet (20) and outlet (22) within the duct (30)... to direct heated air from the compressor outlet to the inlet
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A compressed air system (10) includes a compressor having an inlet (20) and an outlet (22). A duct (30) fluidly connects the outlet (22) to the inlet (20) and has a valve (32) arranged in the duct (30). A controller (34) communicates with the valve (32) and commands the valve (32) to move between first and second positions (F,S) in response to a surge condition and/or an add-heat condition to regulate an amount of fluid flowing through the duct (30). The valve (32) opens to provide hot air from the compressor outlet to deice the inlet (20) or to provide the higher pressure compressor outlet air to the lower pressure compressor inlet air to obtain a pressure ratio in a desired range. The inventive compressed air unit is designed to provide a compact arrangement so that the valve (32) providing the heated, pressurized air to the inlet (20) is located in close proximity to the inlet (20) for a rapid response time. The duct (30) comprises a relatively short length of tubing interconnecting an add-heat supply outlet (74) and an add-heat plenum inlet (76), which are provided by a housing (40) of the compressor. The housing also includes an add-heat plenum (72) having an annular wall (70) arranged at the inlet (20) to provide an annular cavity (72). Hot air from the compressor outlet is provided to the plenum (72) to heat the annular wall (70) quickly at the inlet (20) to prevent deicing.