Monitoring Double-Walled Fluid Systems via Pressure Differences
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Solution Overview
Problem
Monitoring the integrity of double-walled fluid systems, especially when deeply embedded in other systems, is challenging due to the difficulty in detecting failures and dormant failures effectively.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring system that measures pressure differences between control volumes and surrounding fluid regions, using fluid conduits with defined flow resistance to indicate mechanical integrity and generate control signals for fluid flow management, allowing for detection of failures and cancellation of ambient pressure changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If double-walled fluid systems are deeply embedded in other systems, then system integration and compactness are improved, but the ability to monitor integrity and detect failures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces control volumes as intermediary elements that are in fluid communication with both the first walled region and the ambient environment. These control volumes serve as mediators that enable indirect monitoring of the embedded double-walled system's integrity through pressure difference measurements, solving the problem of difficult accessibility while maintaining system compactness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical inspection methods with a pressure-based monitoring system. By measuring pressure differences between control volumes and second walled regions, the system can detect failures remotely without requiring physical access to the embedded components, thus maintaining compact integration while improving detectability
2Reliability
If pressure differences are measured to monitor system integrity, then failure detection capability is improved, but the complexity of the monitoring system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control volumes serve multiple functions: they are in fluid communication with both the first walled region and the ambient environment, providing reference pressures for multiple comparisons. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate monitoring components, improving failure detection capability while limiting complexity increase
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the ambient environment itself as a reference for pressure measurements. The control volumes communicate with the ambient environment to establish baseline pressure values, eliminating the need for external reference systems and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable failure detection
3Manufacturing precision
If fluid conduits with defined flow resistance are used, then pressure value control is improved, but the complexity of fluid communication paths increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the flow resistance parameter of the fluid conduits to defined values. By controlling the flow resistance of conduits connecting control volumes to the ambient environment, the system achieves precise pressure value control in the control volumes, which is essential for accurate failure detection while managing the complexity of fluid communication 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
Enables effective detection of mechanical failures and dormant failures in double-walled fluid systems, ensuring system integrity and automatic control of fluid flow, applicable to various applications including aircraft engines and heat exchangers.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid communications have a defined flow resistance which is defining the static and dynamic pressure values in the regions and the control volume
Implementation Method 2
A data processing device (10) is inductively determining at least one pressure difference which is formed between associated pressures in the control volume (C) and the at least one second walled region (2)
Data Source
AI summary
A monitoring system for a multiple-walled fluid system with a first walled region including a flowing or stagnant fluid and at least one second walled region at least partially surrounding the first walled region. The first walled region and the at least one second walled region forming the multiple-walled fluid system, the first walled region being in fluid communication with the at least one second walled region, the at least one second walled region also being in fluid communication with the ambient environment. A data processing device for monitoring at least one pressure difference between a pressure in at least one a control volume and at least one second pressure in the at least one second walled region, a first control volume in fluid connection with the first walled region and the ambient environment. The at least one pressure difference indicating the status of the multiple-walled fluid system.