Integrated Ejector Valve Assembly for Aircraft Bleed Air

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bleed air systems in aircraft are complex, with numerous components that increase weight, maintenance costs, and reduce efficiency due to the need for multiple parts and abrupt transitions between low and high pressure modes.

Innovation Solution

An integrated ejector valve assembly that includes a first valve assembly for low pressure fluid, a second valve assembly for high pressure fluid, and an ejector to augment low pressure flow with high pressure fluid, controlled by a single controller to maintain stable bleed air pressure across all operating conditions, reducing the number of components and weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple separate valve assemblies and components are used to control bleed air flow, then the system can provide adequate pressure regulation and flow control, but the device complexity increases and weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure regulationVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate valve assemblies (LP valve assembly, HP valve assembly, NRV assembly, ejector assembly) into a single integrated valve assembly housed within one housing. This merging reduces the total number of components, simplifies the system, reduces weight, while maintaining all necessary functions for pressure regulation and flow control through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple separate valve assemblies and components are used to control bleed air flow, then the system can provide adequate pressure regulation and flow control, but the weight of the aircraft increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure regulationVSAvoidweight of valve assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate valve assemblies (LP valve assembly, HP valve assembly, NRV assembly, ejector assembly) into a single integrated valve assembly housed within one housing. This merging reduces the total number of components, simplifies the system, reduces weight, while maintaining all necessary functions for pressure regulation and flow control through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional separate valve assemblies are used, then each component can be independently controlled, but the number of parts that must be stocked for maintenance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow control capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate valve assemblies (LP valve assembly, HP valve assembly, NRV assembly, ejector assembly) into a single integrated valve assembly housed within one housing. This merging reduces the total number of components, simplifies the system, reduces weight, while maintaining all necessary functions for pressure regulation and flow control through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated valve assembly performs multiple functions within a single unit: LP bleed air flow control, HP bleed air flow control, backflow prevention through NRV, and flow augmentation through ejector. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized components and simplifies maintenance inventory requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Productivity

If HP shut-off valve is opened abruptly when LP pressure is insufficient, then the bleed air supply can be maintained, but the transition causes system instability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebleed air supply continuityVSAvoidpressure stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic control of the HP shut-off valve that responds to LP pressure conditions. When LP pressure becomes insufficient, the HP valve opens in a controlled manner rather than abruptly, allowing smooth transition and maintaining system stability. The controller monitors pressure conditions and adjusts valve positioning dynamically to ensure continuous bleed air supply while preventing pressure instability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

The integrated ejector valve assembly simplifies the bleed air system, reduces weight, and enhances reliability by using fewer parts, allowing for efficient operation and maintenance, while ensuring stable bleed air pressure and balanced flow between engines.

Implementation Method 1

an ejector configured to use the flow of relatively higher pressure fluid to facilitate increasing the flow of relatively lower pressure fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEjector effect: Injector

Data Source

PatentEP2449230B1Integrated ejector valve assembly and method of supplying engine bleed air to an aircraft

Publication Date: 2017.07.12 GE AVIATION SYSTEMS LLC

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AI summary

A method and system for an integrated ejector valve assembly is provided. The integrated ejector valve assembly includes a first valve assembly configured to control a flow of relatively lower pressure fluid from a first inlet port, a second valve assembly configured to control a flow of relatively higher pressure fluid from a second inlet port, a first actuation chamber configured to close the first valve assembly, a second actuation chamber configured to close the second valve assembly, and a third actuation chamber configured to open the second valve assembly.