Inline OPP Flow Valve for Aircraft Fuel Tank Over-Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft fuel tanks are prone to over-pressurization due to failures in the oxygen-depleted air distribution system, leading to potential loss of structural integrity, which existing systems fail to adequately prevent.
Innovation Solution
A flow regulation and protection system with an OPP-FCV that controls the flow of oxygen-depleted air to fuel tanks, integrating pressure and mass flow sensing elements, and a controller to adjust the valve based on system pressures and aircraft states, preventing over-pressurization without venting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If oxygen-depleted air is supplied to fuel tanks to reduce flammability, then fire safety is improved, but risk of over-pressurization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The OPP-FCV acts as an intermediary device between the oxygen-depleted air supply and the fuel tank. It mediates the flow of inerting gas, allowing controlled supply for fire safety while preventing uncontrolled flow that would cause over-pressurization. The valve serves as a protective intermediary that reconciles the conflicting requirements of maintaining inert atmosphere and preventing pressure buildup.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the flow parameters of oxygen-depleted air based on real-time pressure conditions. By adjusting the valve position in response to pressure feedback, the system modifies the flow rate and pressure of the inerting gas supply, enabling safe fire protection without exceeding pressure limits that would compromise tank integrity.
2Reliability
If flow control valve is added to regulate oxygen-depleted air flow, then over-pressurization is prevented, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The OPP-FCV combines multiple functions into a single integrated device: flow regulation, pressure sensing, and over-pressure protection. By merging these functions that could have been separate systems into one unified valve assembly, the design achieves reliable over-pressure protection while minimizing the increase in system complexity. The integrated approach reduces the number of discrete components and interconnections required.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve system is self-regulating through automatic feedback control. The pressure sensing elements continuously monitor tank pressure and automatically adjust the valve position without requiring external intervention or complex control systems. This self-service capability provides robust over-pressure protection while keeping the control architecture simple and reliable.
3Measurement precision
If pressure sensing elements are integrated into the valve, then measurement accuracy is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensing elements are nested within the valve body structure. The sensing elements are integrated into the existing valve architecture, utilizing the same housing and mounting features. This nesting approach allows accurate pressure measurement while avoiding the need for separate external sensing systems, thereby reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the added functional capability.
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
Effectively prevents fuel tank over-pressurization by dynamically regulating oxygen-depleted air flow, ensuring structural integrity and safety during various flight conditions and system failures.
Implementation Method 1
The OPP-FCV is configured to regulate the flow of the oxygen-depleted air based on a difference between an atmospheric pressure and a supply line pressure
Implementation Method 2
a pressure sense line is configured to be coupled in fluid communication with the supply line at a point between the OPP-FCV and the fuel tank with the pressure sense line being coupled in fluid communication with the OPP-FCV such that the OPP-FCV is configured to sense the supply line pressure through the pressure sense line
Data Source
AI summary
A flow regulation and protection system configured to be coupled in fluid communication with a supply line of an oxygen-depleted air distribution system that supplies oxygen-depleted air to a fuel tank of an aircraft. The flow regulation and protection system includes an OPP-FCV configured to be coupled in fluid communication with the supply line of the oxygen-depleted air distribution system at a point along the supply line upstream from the fuel tank. The OPP-FCV is selectively adjustable to regulate a flow of the oxygen-depleted air through the supply line and supplied to the fuel tank and to restrict or prevent the flow of the oxygen-depleted air along the supply line to prevent over pressurization of the fuel tank.