Heated Fuel Flowpath Screen for Aircraft Ice Blockage Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ice particles forming in aircraft fuel tanks and engine fuel systems can damage downstream components, and existing methods like electrical heating are inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A heated screen is integrated into the fuel flowpath of a double-walled pipe to trap and melt ice particles against the pipe's inner wall, using the pipe's heat to prevent ice from blocking or damaging downstream components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrical heating elements are used to melt ice particles in fuel lines, then ice particles are effectively melted, but energy consumption increases and deicing efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice particle melting effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption of heating elements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel system utilizes the kinetic energy and flow characteristics of the fuel itself to achieve deicing. The screen structure creates turbulence and pressure differential that naturally drives the fuel flow through the ice-laden area, eliminating the need for external electrical heating energy input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the electrical heating system with a mechanical flow-based system. By using the fuel's own flow dynamics, pressure differential, and kinetic energy to melt and transport ice particles, the system substitutes electrical energy with mechanical energy already present in the fuel flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If electrical heating elements are used to prevent ice blockage, then ice particles are melted, but device complexity and inefficiency increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel flowpath blockage preventionVSAvoidcomplexity of heating system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the electrical heating elements from the fuel system, retaining only the essential screen structure that leverages natural fuel flow. This extraction eliminates the complex electrical components while maintaining the core deicing function through passive mechanical means.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The simplified screen structure allows the fuel system to service itself by using the fuel's own flow characteristics to prevent ice accumulation. The system requires no external power source or complex control mechanisms, as the flowing fuel automatically performs the deicing function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If ice particles are allowed to travel downstream with fuel, then fuel flow remains unobstructed, but downstream components are damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel flow continuityVSAvoiddamage to downstream components

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The screen structure acts as an intermediary element that intercepts ice particles from the fuel stream. It provides a controlled interaction zone where ice particles can be safely melted by the screen's surface or redirected to designated areas, preventing them from reaching downstream components while maintaining overall fuel flow continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful presence of ice particles into a beneficial process by using the screen to trap and melt them in a controlled manner. The ice particles, which would otherwise damage downstream components, are instead utilized to demonstrate the system's passive deicing capability and are safely eliminated before causing harm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 heated screen effectively melts ice particles without electrical heating, preventing blockages and damage by ensuring ice particles are trapped and melted before reaching downstream components.

Implementation Method 1

A heated screen in the fuel flowpath of a double-walled heated pipe blocks ice particles in the fuel flowpath and directs the ice particles to a side of the pipe... trapping the ice particles against the side of the pipe until they melt

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4296555B1Method of preventing ice from blocking a fuel flowpath

Publication Date: 2025.10.22 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP

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AI summary

A method of preventing ice from blocking a fuel flowpath, the method comprising: urging ice flowing through the fuel flowpath radially outwardly toward an inner surface of a first wall that defines the fuel flowpath; flowing a fluid in a flow passage defined between the first wall and a second wall; and increasing a temperature of the inner surface with the flowing of the fluid to melt the ice.