Integrated pressure regulator and ejector pump for urinary relief system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircrew, especially female pilots, face challenges in bladder relief during long flights due to dehydration from reducing liquid intake to minimize urination, necessitating a safe and effective urinary relief system that can operate without removing flight equipment.
Innovation Solution
A pressurized urinary relief system featuring a control unit with a pressure regulator, ejector, and CO2 cartridges, which reduces air pressure to create a vacuum for urine collection and storage, allowing for bladder relief without removing flight gear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If aircrew reduce liquid intake to minimize urination during long flights, then the frequency of urination is reduced, but dehydration occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables aircrew to independently manage their urinary needs during flight using a self-contained portable unit with automated pump operation, eliminating the need to remove flight equipment or seek traditional restroom facilities
Solution Approach 2:
The urinary relief system is divided into separate functional components: collection device, storage device, and control unit with pump mechanism, allowing modular deployment and integration with flight equipment
2Adaptability or versatility
If a urinary relief system is designed to operate during flight without removing flight equipment, then aircrew can maintain bladder relief capability, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is designed to perform multiple functions: pumping urine from collection to storage device, regulating air pressure, and providing bladder relief, eliminating the need for separate systems for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure regulator and ejector pump are integrated into a single control unit, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining functionality
3Force
If a pressure regulator reduces air pressure by 25-35 times to create vacuum for urine collection, then the vacuum strength is sufficient for effective urination, but the pressure regulation precision requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pneumatic pressure regulation to control the vacuum strength, utilizing gas pressure to drive the ejector pump and create the necessary suction force for urine collection
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure regulator dynamically adjusts the air pressure parameter to maintain the optimal vacuum level, changing the pressure from high initial pressure to the reduced operating pressure of 25-35 times less to create effective suction
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 system provides a compact, modular, and cost-effective solution that extends operation time and reduces the need for frequent liquid intake, addressing dehydration and bladder relief needs during flights.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure regulator having a high pressure inlet and a reduced pressure outlet, the high pressure inlet having a first air pressure, and the reduced pressure outlet having a second air pressure
Implementation Method 2
an ejector having an pressurized air input, an vacuum port, and an air output, the pressurized air input of the ejector coupled to the reduced pressure outlet of the pressure regulator and the vacuum port connected to a storage device
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A control unit for a urinary relief system is disclosed herein. The control unit includes a pressure regulator (226) having a high pressure inlet (226a) and a reduced pressure outlet (226b), the high pressure inlet having a first air pressure, and the reduced pressure outlet having a second air pressure, an ejector (224) having a pressurized air input (224a), a vacuum port (224c), and an air output (224b), the pressurized air input of the ejector coupled to the reduced pressure outlet of the pressure regulator and the vacuum port connected to a storage device, an ejector head (220) housing the pressure regulator and the ejector, and a pressurized gas source (222) coupled to the high pressure inlet of the pressure regulator, the pressurized gas source providing an air flow having the first air pressure.