Integrated Fluid Conduit Layout for Low-Loss Multi-Flow Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated fuel supply duct systems with multiple flows face friction losses, which compromise pressure capability and low-cycle fatigue life, while larger ducts to mitigate this issue increase weight and space requirements, and conventional designs are cumbersome due to fixed piping lengths and carbon buildup.
Innovation Solution
An integrated fluid conduit design with strategically placed high-pressure and low-pressure fluid channels, optimized cross-sections, and flexible bends to minimize friction losses and enhance fatigue life, combined with a circular or non-circular outer duct profile for structural damping, allowing for reduced weight and space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If larger ducts are used to limit pressure drop, then friction losses are reduced, but system weight and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The duct cross-section is segmented into multiple flow passages with different hydraulic diameters. High-pressure fuel flows through a larger hydraulic diameter passage to minimize pressure drop, while low-pressure fuel flows through a smaller hydraulic diameter passage. This segmentation allows each flow to have optimized friction characteristics without requiring the entire duct to be oversized, thus reducing overall weight.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the duct cross-section are assigned different flow characteristics. The high-pressure flow region is designed with larger hydraulic diameter and different wall distance characteristics compared to the low-pressure flow region. This local optimization of flow passage geometry minimizes friction losses in the high-pressure region while keeping the overall duct size compact for weight reduction.
2Loss of energy
If larger ducts are used to limit pressure drop, then friction losses are reduced, but system volume and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The duct cross-section is segmented into multiple flow passages with different hydraulic diameters. High-pressure fuel flows through a larger hydraulic diameter passage to minimize pressure drop, while low-pressure fuel flows through a smaller hydraulic diameter passage. This segmentation allows each flow to have optimized friction characteristics without requiring the entire duct to be oversized, thus reducing overall volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the cross-sectional dimension of the duct to optimize flow characteristics. By creating multiple flow passages with different hydraulic diameters within the same duct cross-section, the system achieves low friction losses for high-pressure flow without increasing the longitudinal or radial dimensions of the overall duct, thus maintaining compact volume.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed piping length is used in conventional manifolds, then installation is simplified, but flexibility to accommodate thermal growth is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The duct incorporates flexible sections with bends and curved pathways that allow the piping to dynamically accommodate thermal growth and dimensional changes. The flexible duct sections can flex and deform to absorb thermal expansion and contraction, maintaining system functionality under varying thermal conditions while still providing a complete fuel delivery path.
Data Source
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AI summary
A integrated fluid conduit is provided having two or more internal conduits, the size and shape of the internal conduits is designed to optimize the hydraulic diameter of each conduit based on the needs of the system. The integrated fluid conduit is advantageously manufactured according to additive manufacturing techniques which enable formation of off-center and/or non-concentric internal conduits adapted to specific applications requiring turns such as the fuel delivery system or the hydraulic system of/on a gas turbine engine for an airplane.