Jet Pump Needle-Throat Control for Aircraft Bleed-Air Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bleed systems in aircraft turbine engines face inefficiencies due to the need to mix higher and lower pressure gases over varying operating conditions, leading to reduced fuel efficiency and the requirement for valve line-up alterations.
Innovation Solution
A jet pump system that adjusts its operation based on fluid parameters to isolate or mix higher and lower pressure gases, operating in three modes to optimize gas supply to aircraft systems, minimizing unnecessary extraction of higher pressure gas and reducing the need for valve adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the jet pump mixes higher and lower pressure gases to supply air loads, then the gas supply flexibility is improved, but the fuel efficiency deteriorates due to unnecessary extraction of higher pressure gas
Solution Approach 1:
The jet pump employs a movable needle body that can dynamically adjust the throat region opening area in real-time. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to varying operating conditions by controlling the mixing ratio of higher and lower pressure gases, thereby optimizing fuel efficiency while maintaining gas supply flexibility to air loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the geometric parameter of the throat region by moving the needle body, which alters the flow characteristics and mixing ratio of gases. This parameter change enables the jet pump to operate efficiently across different operating conditions without requiring valve line-up alterations, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and fuel efficiency.
2Device complexity
If the jet pump operates with fixed valve line-up to supply bleed air, then the system simplicity is maintained, but the adaptability to varying operating conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple fixed valve positions (valve line-up), the jet pump employs a single dynamic needle body that can continuously adjust the throat opening. This dynamic mechanism provides adaptability to varying operating conditions while maintaining simpler system architecture, as it eliminates the need for complex valve line-up mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If the needle body moves to adjust the throat region opening, then the gas mixing ratio control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical valve line-up mechanisms with a more streamlined needle body actuation system. The needle body, driven by a simpler actuation mechanism (such as a motor or pneumatic actator), provides precise control over the throat opening area, achieving ease of operation while minimizing the complexity increase compared to traditional valve systems.
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
Enhances fuel efficiency by optimizing gas supply to aircraft systems, reducing thrust-specific fuel consumption and minimizing valve line-up alterations across varying engine loads.
Implementation Method 1
an inner nozzle including a nozzle wall defining a nozzle outlet, wherein the inner nozzle is configured to receive a first gas flow from a high pressure chamber defined by a housing of a jet pump and discharge the first gas flow through the nozzle outlet
Implementation Method 2
a suction chamber defined by the housing, wherein the suction chamber is configured to receive a second gas flow
Implementation Method 3
an exhaust portion defining an exhaust volume fluidically coupled to the nozzle outlet and the suction chamber, wherein the exhaust portion defines an exhaust outlet configured to discharge a supply gas comprising the first gas flow and the second gas flow
Data Source
AI summary
A bleed system including a jet pump system configured to provide a supply gas comprising at least one of a higher pressure gas, a lower pressure gas, or a mixture of the higher pressure gas and the lower pressure gas. A needle body defines a throat region between a nozzle wall and the needle body. The needle body is configured to cause a gap between a rear needle surface of the needle body and the nozzle wall to decrease as the rear needle surface extends toward the throat region. The jet pump system is configured to discharge the higher pressure gas through the throat region and mix the higher pressure gas and the lower pressure gas in a mixing portion of an exhaust portion.