Low pressure pack
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft environmental control systems (ECS) face challenges in designing economical low-pressure ECS architectures that operate efficiently during both ground and flight operations without compromising water extractor efficiency, often requiring large line sizes and duct bend radii that consume valuable packaging volume.
Innovation Solution
A duct and fluid extractor assembly design featuring a tubular member with torus sectors forming a sectioned toroidal annulus and swirl vanes, allowing for a straight fluid path with minimal bends, combining power turbine and cooling turbine functions while maintaining water extractor efficiency by integrating a controllable valve system and fluid extractor assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large line sizes and duct bend radii are used in conventional ECS designs, then water extractor efficiency is maintained, but packaging volume is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The duct is segmented into multiple sections with different functions: a first section for straight fluid flow, a second section with swirl vanes for water extraction, and a third section for fluid continuation. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific function, maintaining water extractor efficiency while reducing overall packaging volume through compact arrangement
Solution Approach 2:
The swirl vane assembly is nested within the duct structure, with the vanes positioned inside the duct passage. This nested configuration allows the water extraction function to be integrated within the existing duct volume rather than requiring separate external components, thereby reducing packaging volume while maintaining extraction efficiency
2Loss of energy
If the turbine is configured to operate as a cooling turbine during ground operations and as a power turbine in flight, then fuel is saved, but an additional connection to cabin air is required
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine is designed with multi-functionality to operate in two distinct modes: as a power turbine during flight operations and as a cooling turbine during ground operations. The turbine casing includes a power turbine outlet and a cooling turbine outlet, allowing the same component to serve different functions based on operational phase, thereby saving fuel without requiring separate turbine systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic control through controllable valve means that can redirect fluid flow between different paths based on operational requirements. During flight, valves direct fluid through the power turbine outlet to cabin air; during ground operations, valves redirect fluid through the cooling turbine outlet, enabling the turbine to dynamically adapt its function without permanent structural modifications
3Volume of moving object
If a straight fluid path with minimal bends is used in the duct design, then packaging volume is reduced, but fluid flow dynamics must be carefully managed
Solution Approach 1:
The duct incorporates a curved transition section that smoothly connects the first straight section to the second section containing swirl vanes. This curved geometry, rather than sharp bends, maintains favorable fluid flow dynamics by reducing turbulence and pressure losses while still achieving compact packaging volume through efficient spatial utilization
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 design enables efficient operation of the power turbine as both a power turbine in flight and a cooling turbine on the ground with reduced packaging volume requirements and maintained water extractor efficiency, optimizing fuel savings and system performance.
Implementation Method 1
fluid extractor swirl vanes in the upstream section to drive fluid of a fluid flow proceeding into the central flow path into the condensate collection gap
Data Source
AI summary
A duct is provided and includes a tubular member having an inlet portion, an outlet portion and a central portion interposed between the inlet and outlet portions and a tributary tubular member fluidly coupled to the tubular member at the central portion. The tributary tubular member includes first and second torus sectors defining first and second apertures, respectively, through which an upstream end of the central portion extends. The second torus sector is disposed within the first torus sector to define a sectioned toroidal annulus about the first and second apertures and between an exterior surface of the second torus sector and an interior surface of the first torus sector.