Fluid Injection Purge Valve Merging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft fluid injection systems face nozzle build-up and clogging due to extreme operating environments, and existing methods for purging fluid lines are complex and require multiple components to prevent air from entering the upstream system, especially in multi-stage injection systems.
Innovation Solution
A fluid injection system with a primary and secondary flow line, each with a valve configuration that allows injectant flow in an open state and prevents it in a closed state, and a purge branch that communicates with a purge gas line, using a single solenoid valve and a pressure-actuated shuttle valve for selective and sequential purging, reducing the need for multiple solenoids and simplifying control systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an external compressed air purge system is used to purge fluid lines, then the fluid lines can be effectively purged, but the system complexity increases due to the need for multiple valves and sealing mechanisms to prevent air from entering the upstream system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the flow control valve and purge valve functions into a single three-way valve. This valve has a first port connected to the flow line, a second port connected to the purge gas source, and a third port connected to the upstream system. By merging these functions, the system achieves effective purging while reducing the number of separate valves and sealing mechanisms required, thus resolving the contradiction between purging effectiveness and system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The three-way valve performs multiple functions: it controls injectant flow to the injector, enables purging of the flow line with purge gas, and provides sealing to prevent air from entering the upstream system. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated valves for each function, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable purging capability
2Reliability
If multiple solenoid valves are used to control purging in multi-stage injection systems, then proper separation of compressed air and injectant fluid can be achieved, but the control system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions for multiple injection stages into a single three-way valve. The valve's positioning mechanism (such as a solenoid actuator) can be controlled to provide different flow paths for different stages, eliminating the need for separate solenoid valves for each stage. This reduces the number of control components while maintaining reliable separation of compressed air and injectant fluid through proper valve positioning
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
This configuration effectively reduces nozzle build-up and clogging while minimizing the number of control valves required, simplifying the control system and reducing costs by allowing for efficient purging of fluid lines using a single controllable valve and a passive valve.
Implementation Method 1
The primary flow valve can be a pressure actuated shuttle valve and is configured to transition from the closed primary flow valve state to the open primary flow valve state when pressure in the main flow line exceeds a pressure in the purge gas line
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid injection system can include a main flow line, a primary flow line connected to the main flow line, and a primary flow valve disposed between the primary flow line and the main flow line and configured to allow injectant flow to the primary flow line from the main flow line in an open primary flow valve state, and to prevent injectant flow to the primary flow line from the main flow line in a closed primary flow valve state. The system can include a secondary flow line connected to the main flow line and a secondary flow valve disposed between the secondary flow line and the main flow line and configured to selectively allow injectant flow to the secondary flow line from the main flow line in an open secondary flow valve state, and to prevent injectant flow to the secondary flow line from the main flow line in a closed secondary flow valve state. The system can include a primary purge branch configured and a secondary purge branch configured to be in fluid communication with a purge gas line to receive a purge gas flow from the purge gas line.