Integral Filter and Regulator for Aircraft Valve Actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bleed systems for aircraft, such as those using butterfly valves, face challenges in maintaining stable pressures and preventing actuator damage from particulates, often requiring separate and bulky regulator and filter units that complicate maintenance and increase weight and space requirements.
Innovation Solution
An integral filter and pressure regulating unit is integrated into the valve assembly, allowing for a compact and accessible design that combines filtering and pressure regulation, reducing the need for separate components and facilitating on-wing maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate regulator and filter units are used, then pressure regulation and filtering functions are provided, but device complexity, weight, and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the filter unit and regulator unit into a single integrated assembly that performs both filtering and pressure regulation functions. The filter element is positioned within the regulator housing, with the regulator inlet receiving fluid through the filter element, eliminating the need for separate regulator and filter components while maintaining both functions.
2Reliability
If separate regulator and filter units are used, then pressure regulation and filtering functions are provided, but weight and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated assembly merges the filter and regulator into a single structural unit where the filter housing and regulator housing form a unified component. This consolidation eliminates redundant structural elements, mounting hardware, and spacing requirements between separate units, thereby reducing the overall weight of the valve assembly.
3Reliability
If separate regulator and filter units are used, then pressure regulation and filtering functions are provided, but maintenance accessibility and ease of repair worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated assembly is designed as a modular unit that can be removed and replaced as a complete assembly. The filter element and regulator are segmented as a replaceable module that can be easily accessed and swapped without disassembling the entire valve, facilitating maintenance while maintaining functional integration.
4Stability of the object's composition
If constant actuator fluid supply pressure is maintained, then proportional control and prevention of closure element fluttering improve, but system complexity increases without integral design
Solution Approach 1:
The regulator is integrated into the valve assembly with the filter element, creating a compact unit that provides constant actuator fluid supply pressure through built-in pressure regulation. This integration eliminates the need for external regulator components and complex external piping, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining stable actuator pressure.
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 enhances the stability and reliability of valve operation by maintaining constant actuator fluid supply pressure, reduces wear, and simplifies maintenance by making both the filter and regulator easily accessible and replaceable, thereby improving system performance and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
a filter unit in communication with the actuator supply passage and having an inlet and an outlet, the filter unit having a filter element disposed across an interior portion of the filter unit between the inlet and the outlet
Implementation Method 2
a regulator unit in communication with the actuator supply passage downstream of the filter element, the regulator unit having a cavity, a regulator inlet in communication with the filter element outlet, and a regulator outlet in communication with a pressure chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A valve assembly comprises a closure element (14B) disposed in a flow control duct (16), a fluid-driven actuator assembly (20), a shaft (14C) operable to translate linear movement of the actuator assembly (20) into rotation of the closure element (14B), and an integral filter and pressure regulator unit (60;160) disposed in line with an actuator fluid supply passage (29). The actuator fluid supply passage (29) extends between the flow control duct (16) and the actuator assembly (20). The integral filter and pressure regulator unit (160) includes a regulator housing (164) having at least one cylindrical wall (116A,116B) surrounding a vent cavity (170) and a regulator cavity (168). Filter media (174A,174B) is secured to the regulator housing (164) and is disposed across a regulator orifice (172A,172B) in communication with the regulator cavity (168).