Aircraft De-icing System Leak Detection via Pressure Restriction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing defrosting systems for aircraft nacelles cannot detect small leaks in the hot air supply, which can lead to insufficient defrosting capacity, as temperature sensors are ineffective in detecting minor leaks amidst high engine ventilation temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A defrosting device with a pipe that includes a section reduction upstream of the pressure measurement means, creating a sonic shock at the restriction, allowing for detectable pressure variations that indicate leaks without additional sensors, and enabling alert transmission to a computer for altered system operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If temperature sensors are used to detect pipe rupture, then complete or almost complete rupture can be detected, but small leaks causing only small temperature variations cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
A restriction element is introduced as an intermediary component in the hot air supply line upstream of the pressure sensor. This restriction creates a pressure differential that amplifies the effect of leaks, allowing the existing pressure sensor to detect small leaks that would otherwise be imperceptible. The restriction acts as a mediator that transforms small leak effects into measurable pressure variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the pressure parameter distribution in the hot air supply system by introducing a restriction. This creates a high pressure zone upstream of the restriction and low pressure downstream, making the system more sensitive to leaks. The parameter change (pressure differential) enables the existing sensor to detect smaller leaks with higher precision.
2Device complexity
If pressure measurement means are placed downstream of the orifice, then the system is simple, but leak detection sensitivity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe is segmented into two zones by the restriction element: a first zone upstream of the restriction and a second zone downstream. The pressure measurement means is placed in the second zone, and the restriction creates a pressure differential between the zones. This segmentation allows the sensor to detect leaks with higher sensitivity while maintaining system simplicity.
3Measurement precision
If additional sensors are added to detect small leaks, then detection precision improves, but device complexity and maintenance needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The restriction element serves as a passive intermediary that amplifies leak effects on pressure without requiring additional active sensing components. By creating a pressure differential, it enables the existing pressure sensor to detect small leaks, improving measurement precision without increasing device complexity or maintenance requirements associated with additional sensors.
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
Enables the detection of leaks and ensures proper operation of the defrosting system by utilizing existing pressure measurement means, improving sensitivity and reducing maintenance needs, while maintaining robustness and minimal disturbance to the regulation system.
Implementation Method 1
The orifice 24 has a restriction so as to obtain, in terms of fluid flow, a sonic shock, namely a high pressure upstream of the orifice 24 and a low pressure downstream
Implementation Method 2
means for measuring the pressure inside the said pipe
Implementation Method 3
a method of protection against frost or ice using hot air in contact with the internal wall of the air inlet 18
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The object of the invention is a de-icing device for a leading edge of an aircraft, said device comprising at least one hot air ejection orifice (52), a conduit (56) for conveying the hot air from a motor to said ejection orifice (52) and means (58) for measuring the pressure inside said conduit (56), characterized in that said conduit (56) comprises at least one reduction in cross-section called restriction (62) upstream of the pressure measuring means (58).