Fluid Flow Control Valve With Flow-Cooled Electric Actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid flow control valves in aircraft engine environments face challenges due to high temperatures, which render hydraulic actuators inefficient and electric actuators require complex cooling systems, leading to increased size, weight, and fuel consumption.
Innovation Solution
A fluid flow control valve with an electric actuator integrated into the fluid flow duct, cooled by the fluid flow, and featuring conjugate concentric elements for precise control, eliminating the need for dedicated ventilation systems and reducing overall size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hydraulic actuator is used in the engine environment, then the valve can be controlled, but the actuator cannot withstand the high temperatures (almost 500°C) and requires complex cooling systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the actuator housing with the valve body, integrating the actuator into the existing valve structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate cooling systems for the actuator, as it utilizes the fluid flow already present in the valve for cooling purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator is designed to be self-cooling by utilizing the fluid flow that passes through the valve. The housing is equipped with cooling channels that allow the fluid to directly cool the actuator components, eliminating the need for external cooling systems.
2Ease of operation
If a fuel hydraulic actuator is used to control the valve, then the valve can be actuated, but the fuel system must be dimensioned for actuator control, increasing fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a electric actuator instead of a fuel hydraulic actuator, eliminating the need for fuel system dimensioning for actuator control. The electric actuator receives electrical signals for actuation, which does not increase fuel consumption.
3Ease of operation
If a fuel hydraulic actuator is used, then the valve can be controlled, but there is a risk of fuel leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the fuel hydraulic actuator with an electric actuator, substituting a mechanical/fuel-based system with an electrical system. This eliminates the risk of fuel leakage while maintaining the valve control capability.
4Ease of operation
If the valve and hydraulic actuator are assembled, then the valve can be controlled, but the assembly has significant size and weight, impacting energy performance
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is integrated into the valve body, combining two separate components into a unified assembly. This merging reduces the overall size and weight compared to having separate valve and actuator components.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator is housed within the valve body structure, with the actuator housing forming part of the valve assembly. This nesting arrangement minimizes the overall footprint and weight of the control system.
5Reliability
If an electric actuator is used in the engine environment, then the valve can be controlled, but the actuator cannot withstand the high temperatures unless complex cooling systems are provided
Solution Approach 1:
The electric actuator is designed with self-cooling capabilities through integrated cooling channels in its housing. The fluid flow passing through the valve directly cools the actuator components, eliminating the need for external complex cooling systems.
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 enables efficient control of fluid flow while maintaining the electric actuator within operational temperature ranges, reducing size and weight, and minimizing fuel consumption, thus enhancing energy performance and safety.
Implementation Method 1
the electric actuator is arranged at least partially in the fluid flow duct such that it can be cooled by the fluid flowing between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the valve body
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid flow control valve includes a valve body, a closing member arranged in the valve body and configured so that it can have at least one first position, called the open position, in which it allows the flow of fluid to flow freely in the valve body, and at least one second position, called the closed position, in which it prevents the fluid flow from flowing in the valve body between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, an electric actuator of the closing member that is suitable for being able to control the position of the closing member in the valve body, characterized in that the electric actuator is arranged in the valve body so that it can be cooled by the flow of fluid flowing in the valve body.