Expandable Orifice With Cantilevered Tabs for Aircraft Bleed Air
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow devices in aircraft engines, such as blowout doors and pressure relief valves, add complexity and weight while failing to effectively manage over-pressurization conditions in fluid systems used for anti-icing, de-icing, and component cooling without significant increases in system complexity or weight.
Innovation Solution
A flow device with an expandable orifice and cantilevered tabs that restrict fluid flow at normal pressures and deflect to relieve over-pressure conditions by expanding the opening, providing both flow regulation and pressure relief without increasing system complexity or weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If blowout doors and pressure relief valves are used to prevent over-pressurization, then the structural safety is improved, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the flow restriction function and pressure relief function into a single integrated flow device. The orifice plate with deflectable tabs serves both to restrict normal flow and to relieve over-pressure conditions, eliminating the need for separate pressure relief valves or blowout doors.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow device performs multiple functions: it acts as a flow restrictor during normal operation and automatically becomes a pressure relief mechanism when over-pressurization occurs. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate components.
2Reliability
If blowout doors and pressure relief valves are installed to protect against over-pressurization, then the structural safety is improved, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the flow restriction function and pressure relief function into a single integrated flow device. The orifice plate with deflectable tabs serves both to restrict normal flow and to relieve over-pressure conditions, eliminating the need for separate pressure relief valves or blowout doors.
Solution Approach 2:
The orifice plate incorporates deflectable tabs that can bend under excessive pressure. These thin, flexible elements provide pressure relief capability without the weight of traditional rigid pressure relief mechanisms. The tabs act as a lightweight, responsive pressure relief mechanism.
3Device complexity
If a simple orifice plate is used to restrict flow, then the device complexity is reduced, but the pressure relief capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The orifice plate transitions from a static component to a dynamic one through the addition of deflectable tabs. These tabs remain in place during normal operation but automatically deflect when excessive pressure occurs, providing active pressure relief capability while maintaining simplicity during normal function.
Solution Approach 2:
The orifice plate incorporates deflectable tabs that can bend under excessive pressure. These thin, flexible elements provide pressure relief capability without the weight of traditional rigid pressure relief mechanisms. The tabs act as a lightweight, responsive pressure relief mechanism.
4Reliability
If traditional pressure relief systems are implemented, then the over-pressurization protection is improved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the flow restriction function and pressure relief function into a single integrated flow device. The orifice plate with deflectable tabs serves both to restrict normal flow and to relieve over-pressure conditions, eliminating the need for separate pressure relief valves or blowout doors.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow device performs multiple functions: it acts as a flow restrictor during normal operation and automatically becomes a pressure relief mechanism when over-pressurization occurs. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate components.
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 flow device functions as a conventional restrictor while offering pressure relief, reducing the risk of over-pressurization without adding weight or complexity, and can be implemented with fewer components than traditional pressure relief systems, ensuring safe operation in aircraft engines.
Implementation Method 1
the cantilevered tabs are able to deflect out of the plane thereof independently of each other
Data Source
AI summary
A flow device adapted to operate as a restrictor as well as provide a pressure relief capability in the event of an over-pressurization event within a fluid system containing the device. The flow device includes an expandable orifice that has an outer perimeter, a plurality of cantilevered tabs surrounded by the outer perimeter, and an opening surrounded and defined by the tabs. The tabs project from the outer perimeter toward the opening, which restricts flow of the bleed air through the expandable orifice at a pressure below a predetermined pressure level, but then expands to relieve an over-pressure condition of the bleed air at a pressure above the predetermined pressure level as a result of the cantilevered tabs being deflected by the over-pressure condition. The device is adaptable for use in aircraft applications, including the regulation of bleed air used in anti-icing/de-icing systems.