Double-Walled Pipe With Integrated Conductive Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft piping systems for fluid transportation, such as water pipes, face challenges in weight reduction, efficiency, and ease of installation and production, particularly in high-altitude environments where freezing is a concern, and existing heating solutions are not uniformly efficient or lightweight.
Innovation Solution
A double-walled pipe with an electrically conductive coating having a positive temperature coefficient, integrated into the pipe structure via 3D printing, which allows for a lightweight, efficient heating system with reduced power consumption and simplified manufacturing, using a rigid plastic body with an inner and outer wall and wall supports, and an electrically conductive coating that heats the inner wall uniformly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional heating solutions (linear tape heaters) are attached to pipes, then heating capability is provided, but weight increases and installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is merged with the pipe structure itself by integrating an electrically conductive heating layer directly into the pipe wall during additive manufacturing. This eliminates the need for separate heating tapes or external heating devices, thereby reducing overall weight while maintaining heating capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe is manufactured as a composite structure with multiple layers including plastic layers and an electrically conductive heating layer. This composite approach allows the pipe to simultaneously provide structural support and heating functionality, reducing the need for additional separate components and associated weight.
2Temperature
If conventional heating solutions are attached to pipes, then heating capability is provided, but device complexity and installation effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is merged with the pipe structure itself by integrating an electrically conductive heating layer directly into the pipe wall during additive manufacturing. This eliminates the need for separate heating tapes or external heating devices, thereby reducing overall weight while maintaining heating capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe structure itself provides the heating function through its integrated electrically conductive layer, making the system self-sufficient. The pipe does not require external heating devices or complex installation procedures, as the heating capability is inherently part of the pipe's structure.
3Loss of energy
If heating layers surround the outer surface of pipes, then heat transfer efficiency improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing approach is changed from conventional multi-step processes to additive manufacturing, which enables the direct integration of the heating layer within the pipe wall. This parameter change in the manufacturing process simplifies production while maintaining the thermal efficiency benefits of having the heating layer in close proximity to the fluid-carrying wall.
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
The solution provides a lightweight, efficient, and cost-effective heating system for aircraft piping, reducing weight, power consumption, and manufacturing complexity, while ensuring uniform heating and protection against freezing, thereby enhancing aircraft performance and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The electrically conductive coating is configured to heat up under application of an electric current such that heat is transferred to the inner wall
Implementation Method 2
The electrically conductive coating has a positive temperature coefficient (PTC)
Implementation Method 3
The inner wall and the outer wall define an intermediate space
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention pertains to a double-walled pipe (10) with integrated heating capability for an aircraft or spacecraft (100). The double-walled pipe (10) comprises a pipe body (1) being rigidly formed from plastic in one piece with an inner wall (2), with an outer wall (3) and with a plurality of wall supports (4), the wall supports (4) connecting the inner wall (2) to the outer wall (3), the inner wall (2) and the outer wall (3) defining an intermediate space (5). The double-walled pipe (10) further comprises an electrically conductive coating (6) surrounding the inner wall (2) within the intermediate space (5) and being configured to heat up under application of an electric current such that heat is transferred to the inner wall. The invention further pertains to a method for manufacturing a double-walled pipe (10) of this type using an additive manufacturing or 3D printing technique.