Concentric Air Supply Manifold for Compact ECS Packs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing environmental control system (ECS) packs occupy significant space due to separate ducts for pneumatic supply connections, which limits their spatial integration and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The air supply manifold incorporates a concentric duct design with an outer duct and two inner ducts, along with support vanes, to efficiently transfer bleed air, fresh air, and supply to the tip turbine fan, reducing overall volume and enabling thermal energy transfer, thus minimizing spatial requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate ducts are used for pneumatic supply connections throughout the ECS pack, then each duct can independently perform its specific function, but the overall volume and spatial requirements of the ECS pack increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested duct configuration where the second inner duct is positioned within the outer duct, and the first inner duct is positioned within the outer duct as well. This nesting arrangement allows multiple pneumatic supply paths to occupy overlapping spatial volumes, significantly reducing the overall volume required for the ECS pack while maintaining independent functional pathways for each duct
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar arrangement of separate ducts to a three-dimensional concentric configuration. By utilizing radial and axial positioning within the concentric duct structure, the system accommodates multiple independent duct functions within a compact volumetric envelope, effectively adding spatial efficiency through dimensional optimization
2Reliability
If multiple separate ducts are used for pneumatic connections, then each connection path is independent, but the spatial integration and efficiency of the ECS pack are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The concentric duct structure nests multiple independent connection paths within a unified manifold body. The outer duct, first inner duct, and second inner duct each maintain their independent fluid pathways while being spatially integrated through the concentric arrangement, achieving both reliability through path independence and reduced device complexity through unified structural integration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple separate duct structures into a single integrated air supply manifold. The concentric configuration combines the outer duct and inner ducts into one unified component that provides multiple independent connection paths, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while preserving the functional independence required for reliable operation
3Volume of stationary object
If the ECS pack is reduced to smaller dimensional envelopes, then space efficiency improves, but thermal energy transfer capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The nested concentric duct configuration maximizes thermal energy transfer surface area within a minimized volumetric envelope. The counter-flow arrangement between the outer duct and inner ducts creates extended thermal interaction zones along the length of the nested structures, enabling efficient heat exchange despite the compact overall dimensions of the ECS pack
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
This configuration reduces the volume occupied by the ECS pack, enhances thermal energy transfer, and increases efficiency by minimizing pressure drop losses, allowing the ECS pack to fit within smaller dimensional envelopes.
Implementation Method 1
The outer duct is configured to transfer a fluid from the outer duct inlet to the outer duct outlet
Implementation Method 2
enables thermal energy transfer, thus minimizing spatial requirements
Data Source
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AI summary
An air supply manifold includes an outer duct (46), a first inner duct (52), and a second inner duct (58). The outer duct is configured to transfer a fluid from the outer duct inlet (48) to the outer duct outlet (50) and includes an outer duct inlet and an outer duct outlet. The first inner duct is disposed within and passes through the outer duct and includes a first inner duct inlet (54) and a first inner duct outlet (56). The first inner duct inlet and outlet are disposed outside of the outer duct. The second inner duct includes a second inner duct outlet (62) and inlet (60) fluidly connected to the first inner duct. The second inner duct is disposed within the outer duct and branches off from the first inner duct. The second inner duct outlet is disposed outside of the outer duct.