Distributed Aircraft Pneumatic Supply With Dynamic Valve Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft air systems face challenges in efficiently supplying new air consumers like AFC devices without increasing the overall size and complexity of the system, and in managing air distribution to maintain critical consumers during engine failures.
Innovation Solution
An air system with a network of ducts and control valves, including isolation and interconnect valves, managed by a control unit to optimize air distribution based on flight conditions and requirements, allowing for the integration of new consumers without oversizing air sources and ensuring continuous supply to critical consumers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If new air consumers like AFC devices are integrated into the existing pneumatic system, then the functionality and performance of the aircraft are improved, but the air sources must be oversized to meet the increased air demand, thereby increasing the size and complexity of the air system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic reconfiguration of the air distribution network through control valves that can switch between different supply configurations. The system dynamically adapts its architecture based on operational requirements, allowing the same physical infrastructure to serve different consumer combinations without requiring permanent oversizing of air sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The air distribution system is segmented into multiple independent paths with control valves, allowing selective activation of different supply routes. This segmentation enables the system to serve new consumers like AFC devices without requiring the entire air system to be oversized, as only the necessary segments are activated for each operational scenario.
2Quantity of substance
If the air bleed device power and size are increased to accommodate new air consumers, then the air supply to all consumers is sufficient, but the mass and complexity of the air system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic valve control to reconfigure air distribution paths based on operational needs. When new consumers are active, the system dynamically switches to alternative supply paths or combines multiple air sources, avoiding the need for permanently oversized bleed devices while ensuring sufficient air flow rate supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The air distribution network is designed with multi-functionality, where the same physical infrastructure (ducts, valves, air sources) can serve multiple consumer types and configurations. This universal design allows the system to accommodate new consumers without adding dedicated infrastructure, thereby avoiding mass increase.
3Productivity
If each engine air bleed device is dimensioned to meet all air requirements independently, then the system can operate with one engine, but the ability to compensate for engine failure is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables merging of air supply capabilities from multiple engines through the reconfigurable valve network. When one engine fails, the system merges the air supply paths and combines the remaining engine's output with alternative sources (including the other engine if operational) to meet the total air requirements, thereby improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control valves dynamically reconfigure the air distribution network in response to engine failure conditions. The system transitions from independent engine operation to coordinated multi-source operation, allowing the remaining engine to compensate for the failed engine by redistributing air flow through the network.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the air system architecture is modified to supply new consumers, then the air distribution capability is improved, but the overall complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air distribution network is divided into modular segments with independent control valves. This segmentation allows the system to add new consumers by activating specific segments rather than redesigning the entire architecture, thereby improving air distribution capability while minimizing increases in overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing air distribution infrastructure is designed with multi-functionality, where the same ducts, valves, and air sources can serve multiple consumer types through reconfiguration. This universal design improves air distribution capability for new consumers without requiring proportional increases in system architecture complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an air system for an aircraft, that includes air consumers; air sources and a network of ducts and associated control valves controlled by a control unit. The air system is characterized in that: the network of ducts and associated valves includes at least one isolation valve, arranged between an air bleed device and an air duct connecting an air conditioning pack and an auxiliary power unit; the control unit is configured to be able to determine an ideal configuration of the control valves according to the identified requirements of each consumer and a degraded configuration that makes it possible to supply air to predetermined air consumers from the available air sources when the ideal configuration is not attainable.