Mid-Pressure Spiral Vane Water Separator for Aircraft Moisture Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing environmental control systems in aircraft are bulky due to the combination of heat exchangers and water collectors, consuming large amounts of space and requiring efficient moisture removal solutions.
Innovation Solution
A water separator with a vane assembly defining spiral-like flow channels within an outer housing, featuring ring and radial vanes that impart a swirl to the airflow, facilitating moisture coalescence and separation, integrated with a water collector to minimize space and enhance moisture removal efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional heat exchanger and water collector are used, then moisture removal function is achieved, but system volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heat exchanger and water collector into a single integrated assembly where the water collector is positioned within or adjacent to the heat exchanger. The water separator with spiral flow channels is integrated into the water collector structure, eliminating the need for separate bulky components while maintaining the moisture removal function through the combined heat exchange and separation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The water separator is nested within the water collector housing, and the water collector is positioned within or adjacent to the heat exchanger assembly. This nested configuration allows the water separation function to be contained within the existing heat exchanger volume, significantly reducing the overall system footprint while preserving both heat exchange and moisture removal capabilities.
2Reliability
If water separator with spiral flow channels is used, then moisture separation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water separator is divided into multiple flow channels (typically three) that are evenly spaced around the central axis. Each flow channel is defined by radial vanes and spiral vanes, creating discrete pathways for the fluid flow. This segmentation allows the complex separation function to be distributed across multiple simpler channels, making the overall device more manageable while maintaining high separation efficiency through parallel flow paths.
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 water separator effectively separates moisture from airflow within a compact design, promoting equal medium distribution and controlling pressure drop, while maintaining airflow temperature and pressure for efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of flow channels have a spiral-like configuration about the longitudinal axis... The vane assembly defines a plurality of flow channels... facilitating moisture coalescence and separation
Implementation Method 2
facilitating moisture coalescence and separation
Data Source
AI summary
A water separator for use in an environmental control system of an aircraft includes an outer housing having an upstream end, a downstream end, and a longitudinal axis. A vane assembly is arranged within the outer housing and is spaced about the longitudinal axis. The vane assembly defines a plurality of flow channels. At least one flow channel of the plurality of flow channels is located radially outward of another flow channel of the plurality of flow channels. The plurality of flow channels have a spiral-like configuration about the longitudinal axis and a flow length of the plurality of flow channels is equal.