Hybrid Air Stream Cooling Pack for Lower Bleed Air and Drag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning systems in vehicles, such as commercial aircraft, face inefficiencies due to the diversion of engine power for bleed air and increased drag from using ram air, leading to reduced fuel economy and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system that includes an air cycle machine assembly and a cabin air compressor assembly, which utilize bleed air to generate a hybrid air stream by mixing compressed ram air with bleed air, reducing the reliance on bleed air and ram air, thereby optimizing energy use and minimizing drag.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bleed air is used to power the air conditioning system, then the air conditioning function is achieved, but fuel economy deteriorates due to diverted engine power
Solution Approach 1:
The compressed air stream is divided into two discrete portions: a first portion used to power the compressor and a second portion used to generate compressed ram air. This segmentation allows the system to efficiently allocate bleed air resources while maintaining air conditioning functionality and improving fuel economy.
2Temperature
If ram air is used to cool the bleed air, then cooling is achieved, but drag increases due to ambient air intake
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the previously harmful drag effect into a benefit by using the same ram air that causes drag to compress and mix with bleed air, creating a hybrid air stream that improves overall system efficiency. The drag-causing ram air intake is transformed into a useful compression source.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If less ram air is used in the air conditioning system, then drag reduces, but cooling effectiveness may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a composite air stream by mixing compressed ram air with bleed air. This hybrid air stream combines the benefits of both air sources, providing effective cooling while reducing the total amount of ram air needed, thereby reducing drag.
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 approach enhances fuel economy and efficiency by using less bleed air and ram air, resulting in longer vehicle ranges and reduced fuel costs while maintaining effective temperature control and ventilation.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor configured to receive an air stream that includes bleed air to generate a compressed air stream
Implementation Method 2
The cabin air compressor assembly is configured to receive a second portion of the compressed air stream from the compressor, and to utilize the second portion to generate compressed ram air
Implementation Method 3
The mixing duct is configured to receive the compressed ram air and allow the compressed ram air to mix with one or more of the air stream upstream of the compressor or the compressed air stream downstream of the compressor to generate a hybrid air stream
Implementation Method 4
a hybrid air stream that is used for cooling at least a portion of a vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning pack of a cooling system includes an air cycle machine assembly, a cabin air compressor assembly, and a mixing duct. The air cycle machine assembly includes a compressor configured to receive an air stream that includes bleed air to generate a compressed air stream. The air cycle machine assembly utilizes a first portion of the compressed air stream to power the compressor. The cabin air compressor assembly receives a second portion of the compressed air stream, and utilizes the second portion to generate compressed ram air. The mixing duct receives the compressed ram air and allows the compressed ram air to mix with one or more of the air stream upstream of the compressor or the compressed air stream downstream of the compressor to generate a hybrid air stream that is used for cooling at least a portion of a vehicle.