Filtered Water Injector for Clog-Resistant Aviation Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aviation cooling systems face challenges in efficiently distributing water to heat exchangers due to clogging issues caused by debris in the water jets, which reduces the effectiveness of heat removal from electronic components.
Innovation Solution
A water injector system with a filter and spray nozzle design that includes a conduit and mounting plate, where a filter captures particulate matter, preventing clogs and ensuring consistent water flow onto the ram air heat exchanger, enhancing air conditioning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If water is channeled through a simple conduit to the heat exchanger, then the device complexity is reduced, but clogging occurs due to debris in the water jet
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is installed within the conduit structure to preliminarily remove debris from the water stream before it reaches the spray nozzle. This preliminary filtration action prevents clogging of the nozzle while maintaining a relatively simple overall conduit design, thus resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and operational reliability.
2Reliability
If a filter is added to capture particulate matter, then the reliability of water flow is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is integrated directly into the conduit structure, merging the filtration function with the water delivery pathway. This integration allows the system to achieve reliable debris removal without adding separate, complex filtration systems, thus balancing reliability improvement with acceptable device complexity.
3Productivity
If the spray nozzle is positioned to deliver water directly onto the heat exchanger, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but clogging from debris reduces effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The filter acts as an intermediary element between the water source and the spray nozzle, removing debris that would otherwise cause clogging. This intermediary filtration allows the spray nozzle to maintain its direct positioning on the heat exchanger for optimal cooling efficiency while preventing reliability issues from debris accumulation.
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 prevents clogs and maintains the integrity of water jets, improving the cooling efficiency of aviation systems by ensuring a clear water path to the heat exchanger, thereby enhancing the conditioning of air for avionics and cabin environments.
Implementation Method 1
A filter is supported at the body and is fluidically exposed to the conduit. The filter is configured and disposed to capture particulate flowing into the water injector towards the spray nozzle.
Implementation Method 2
The water is directed through an injector onto a surface of the heat exchanger to enhance cooling
Implementation Method 3
water directed through an injector onto a surface of the heat exchanger to enhance cooling
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A water injector (45) for an aviation cooling system (2) includes a body (60) having a first end (62), a second end (63), and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. A conduit (68) extends through the body from the first end to the second end. A spray nozzle (80) is fluidically connected to the conduit (68) and arranged at one of the first end and the second end. A mounting plate (70) is arranged at the other of the first end and the second end. The mounting plate is configured and disposed to secure the body to an aviation cooling component. A filter (94) is supported at the body and is fluidically exposed to the conduit. The filter is configured and disposed to capture particulate flowing into the water injector towards the spray nozzle (80).