Modular Aircraft Water System Backbone Installation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft water systems require significant effort and resources for customization, certification, and maintenance, especially when changes are made to the layout or location of water-consuming monuments.
Innovation Solution
A method for installing a modular water system in an aircraft section, featuring a backbone conduit connected to a main pump and a standard water consumer, allowing for flexible installation and adaptation of water consumers along the aircraft section.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a customized water system is designed and certified for each aircraft type and customer, then the water system meets specific customer requirements and aircraft specifications, but the effort, time, and resources required for design, certification, and maintenance increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The water system is divided into modular components: a backbone assembly with pre-installed connection fittings, and separate consumer units that can be independently attached or detached. This segmentation allows customization without redesigning the entire system, reducing certification effort while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The backbone assembly uses standardized connection fittings that can accommodate different consumer types (lavatories, galleys, humidifiers) at various positions. This universal interface enables a single backbone design to serve multiple configurations, reducing the need for customized systems while maintaining versatility.
2Ease of repair
If customized pipes, hose assemblies, and installation devices are provided and stored for maintenance, then the water system can be maintained and replaced, but the inventory requirements and storage space increase
Solution Approach 1:
Standardized connection fittings and modular consumer units are designed with universal interfaces, allowing a single set of replacement parts to service multiple different configurations. This reduces the variety of components that must be inventoried and stored, while maintaining full maintenance capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Connection fittings are pre-installed on the backbone assembly during manufacturing, and consumer units are designed for tool-free attachment. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need to store specialized installation devices and complex assembly components, as everything is ready for quick replacement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If changes are made to the layout or location of water-consuming monuments, then the system adapts to new requirements, but extensive re-certification and redesign effort are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a fixed, customized design to a dynamic, reconfigurable architecture where consumer units can be moved along the backbone and reattached at different positions. This dynamic capability allows layout changes without formal re-certification, as the standardized interfaces ensure continued compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
By separating the backbone (fixed infrastructure) from consumer units (movable components), the system enables independent repositioning of consumers without affecting the certified backbone structure. This segmentation isolates changes to non-critical components, minimizing re-certification requirements.
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 method enables easier and more flexible installation of water systems in aircraft, allowing for customizable layouts and adaptations without the need for extensive re-certification or component storage.
Implementation Method 1
a main pump, which is fluidly connected to the first connection fitting, the main pump being configured to convey water from a main tank through the backbone conduit
Data Source
AI summary
A method of installing a modular water system in an aircraft, including installing a water backbone assembly extending over a length of an aircraft section and connecting a pump with a standard water consumer. The water backbone assembly comprises at least one backbone conduit and can be provided with connection fittings, in order to fluidly connect one or more branch conduits to the backbone conduit. An aircraft section and an aircraft having such water system installed therein are also provided.