Inerted Enclosure Drain Valve Using Pressure-Responsive Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is challenging to discharge accumulated water or cooling liquid from the lower part of an enclosure in an aircraft's hydrogen supply system without losing the inerting gas, which is maintained at a specific pressure to prevent hydrogen and oxygen from igniting.
Innovation Solution
An enclosure with a deformable membrane or check valve system that controls the flow of liquids through an orifice, allowing discharge when internal pressure exceeds a threshold while maintaining inerting gas containment by isolating it from the external environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the enclosure is equipped with an orifice to discharge accumulated liquid, then the liquid can be discharged from the enclosure, but the inerting gas may be lost through the same orifice
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a deformable membrane as a flexible barrier that separates the liquid discharge path from the inerting gas space. The membrane deforms elastically under pressure differential, allowing liquid to pass through while maintaining gas tightness. This flexible film structure enables selective permeability based on fluid type and pressure conditions, resolving the contradiction between liquid discharge and gas retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes pressure as a controlling parameter to regulate the discharge process. When liquid accumulates and increases internal pressure above a threshold, the deformable membrane deforms to allow liquid passage. When pressure returns to normal, the membrane returns to its original position, closing the discharge path and preventing inerting gas loss. This dynamic parameter-based control enables automatic liquid discharge while maintaining gas containment.
2Ease of operation
If a valve system is used to control liquid discharge, then liquid discharge can be controlled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable membrane system operates autonomously based on pressure differential without requiring external control mechanisms. When liquid accumulates and pressure increases, the membrane automatically deforms to open the discharge path. When liquid is discharged and pressure decreases, the membrane automatically returns to its closed position. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates the need for complex externally-controlled valves while providing effective liquid discharge control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the pressure differential created by liquid accumulation as the driving force for membrane deformation and liquid discharge. The pneumatic pressure from the inerting gas and hydrostatic pressure from accumulated liquid work together to control the membrane position and discharge flow, replacing complex mechanical valve systems with a simpler pressure-based control mechanism.
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
Enables simple and automatic regulation of liquid volume in the enclosure without losing inerting gas, ensuring safety by preventing hydrogen and oxygen ignition.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable element configured to be deformed by the internal pressure of the internal zone of the enclosure and, depending on its deformation, to control the open or closed state of the liquid discharging system
Implementation Method 2
an inerting gas, for example nitrogen, maintained at a given pressure. The inerting gas makes it possible, in the event of a hydrogen leak, to limit the risks of an outbreak of fire and of an explosion
Data Source
AI summary
An enclosure containing an inerting gas and at least one liquid to be discharged. This enclosure comprises at least one orifice positioned in its lower part and a liquid discharging system positioned at the orifice. This liquid discharging system is configured to take up a closed state and an open state in which the system allows the liquid to flow towards the outside of the enclosure and includes at least one element that is elastically deformable depending on the pressure inside the enclosure and, depending on its deformation, controls the open or closed state of the liquid discharging system. This solution makes it possible to achieve simple and automatic regulation of the volume of the liquid in the enclosure, without a sensor. An aircraft including at least one such enclosure is also provided.