Monolithic Pressure Regulator for Compact, Damage-Resistant Packaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Pressure regulators for aircraft evacuation systems are prone to damage due to high packing density and multiple failure points, which can compromise their reliability in emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
A monolithic pressure regulator design featuring a compact structure with fewer parts, including a body with a base wall, end wall, and side wall, and a cavity with a first vesicle that regulates fluid pressure from a source pressure to a regulated pressure, utilizing a bulkhead and vesicle walls with various geometries to minimize part count and enhance reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional pressure regulators with multiple seals and moving subassemblies are used, then pressure regulation function is achieved, but the number of failure points increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple traditional pressure regulator components (seals, springs, valves, housing) into a single monolithic structure formed by additive manufacturing. This merging of parts eliminates the interfaces and connections between components, thereby reducing failure points and improving reliability while maintaining the pressure regulation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The monolithic regulator incorporates internal cavities and chambers that segment the fluid flow path and functional zones within the single structure. This internal segmentation allows different regulatory functions to be performed in distinct regions while maintaining structural integrity and reducing the need for external components.
2Volume of moving object
If high packing density is used to store regulator and evacuation slide in limited aircraft space, then space utilization improves, but damage risk to the fragile regulator increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monolithic regulator features a compact, rounded outer profile with curved surfaces that distribute mechanical stresses and impacts more evenly throughout the structure. This spherical/curved geometry reduces stress concentration points and enhances resistance to damage during handling and storage in confined aircraft spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulator is manufactured using additive manufacturing with materials that provide both compact geometry and enhanced toughness. The monolithic structure allows for optimization of material distribution, creating a compact form factor while maintaining resistance to impact and damage throughout the entire regulator assembly.
3Device complexity
If monolithic structure with fewer parts is used, then part count and storage space are reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs additive manufacturing technology, which fundamentally changes the manufacturing parameters from traditional subtractive or assembly-based methods. This manufacturing approach enables the creation of complex monolithic geometries with internal cavities and features that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with conventional manufacturing, thereby reducing part count without prohibitive manufacturing complexity.
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 monolithic pressure regulator is more compact, reducing storage space requirements and increasing reliability, while minimizing the risk of damage and failure points, thus enhancing the safety and effectiveness of aircraft evacuation systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first vesicle configured to regulate a flow of fluid through the input port into the cavity at a source pressure to exit through the output port at a regulated pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A monolithic pressure regulator may comprise a body comprising a base wall, an end wall, and a side wall, a cavity within the body, an input port in fluid communication with the cavity, an output port in fluid communication with the cavity, a first vesicle configured to regulate a flow of fluid through the input port into the cavity at a source pressure to exit through the output port at a regulated pressure, wherein the first vesicle comprises a first vesicle wall contiguous with a bulkhead and at least one of the base wall or the end wall.