Elastic Pressure Regulator for Stable Aircraft Evacuation Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid pressure regulators have complex designs that increase manufacturing costs and time, necessitating a simplified approach for cost and time reduction while maintaining effective pressure regulation.
Innovation Solution
A fluid pressure regulator design featuring an elastically expansible chamber with deforming elements and anvil elements that modify the cross-sectional area of fluid inlet conduits, housed in a structure that dynamically adjusts to maintain steady outlet pressure despite varying inlet pressures, and can be additively manufactured for reduced costs and mass.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex design is used for fluid pressure regulators, then pressure regulation effectiveness is maintained, but manufacturing cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple previously separate components (regulator body, diaphragm chamber, valve mechanism, and deformation elements) into a single integrated pressure regulator assembly. This merging reduces the number of manufacturing steps and assembly operations while maintaining the effectiveness of pressure regulation through the unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulator body is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it houses the diaphragm chamber, contains the valve mechanism, provides deformation elements for pressure sensing, and incorporates the outlet conduit. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while preserving regulatory performance.
2Strength
If traditional manufacturing methods are used, then component strength is ensured, but manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional subtractive or assembly-based manufacturing to additive manufacturing, fundamentally changing the manufacturing parameter space. This enables complex geometries to be produced in a single fabrication process rather than through multiple machining or assembly steps, significantly reducing manufacturing time while maintaining structural integrity through controlled material deposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The additive manufacturing process allows for preliminary integration of features directly during fabrication, such as incorporating deformation elements, chamber geometries, and conduit pathways into the regulator body structure itself before final assembly, thereby eliminating subsequent machining or assembly operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used, then assembly flexibility is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the regulator body, diaphragm chamber, valve mechanism, and outlet conduit into a single unified structure with few discrete moving parts. This merging reduces the total number of components that require assembly while maintaining the flexibility of the diaphragm and valve elements to adapt to pressure variations.
Solution Approach 2:
While reducing overall component count, the patent maintains functional segmentation within the integrated structure through distinct zones: the diaphragm chamber for pressure sensing, the valve mechanism for flow control, and the outlet conduit for regulated discharge. This segmentation preserves functional adaptability within a simplified component architecture.
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 effectively maintains steady outlet pressure by dynamically adjusting to inlet pressure fluctuations, reducing manufacturing costs and time through simplified design and additive manufacturing, while also serving as a safety cut-off valve when inlet pressure exceeds a threshold.
Implementation Method 1
an elastically expansible chamber with deforming elements and anvil elements that modify the cross-sectional area of fluid inlet conduits
Implementation Method 2
deforming elements on an external surface thereof for engaging a respective fluid inlet conduit... the fluid inlet conduit is deformed between the deforming element and the anvil element
Implementation Method 3
Aspirators make use of the Venturi effect to create an air flow. A fluid passes across an orifice and thereby creates a pressure differential.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A fluid pressure regulator (10) comprising at least one fluid inlet conduit (18) for connection to a pressurised fluid source (6); an outlet conduit (26); and an elastically expansible chamber (20) arranged between the at least one fluid inlet conduit (18) and the outlet conduit (26), the elastically expansible chamber (20) being configured to elastically deform the at least one fluid inlet conduit (18) upon expansion to modify the cross sectional area of the at least one fluid inlet conduit (18).