Environmental control systems and methods of controlling airflow through environmental control systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current environmental control systems in aircraft face challenges in efficiently controlling air flow, particularly in managing bleed air and ambient air flows independently, leading to complexity and inefficiencies in maintaining cabin conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize an outer and inner control loop module to determine a first air flow reference value based on a target total flow value and combined flow measurement, communicating this to a flow control valve to control air flow through the system, allowing a single valve to manage both bleed and ambient air flows, employing proportional-integral control algorithms for precise regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If independent control of bleed air and ambient air flows is implemented, then air flow control precision is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines independent control of bleed air and ambient air flows into a single integrated control system. The controller receives a target total flow value and automatically determines reference values for both air flows, eliminating the need for separate control systems while maintaining precise control through proportional-integral algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is designed to perform multiple functions: receiving target total flow values, determining reference values for both bleed air and ambient air flows, and coordinating their combined delivery. This multi-functional approach reduces overall system complexity while maintaining precise air flow control.
2Device complexity
If a single flow control valve is used to control both air flows, then device complexity is reduced, but control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The controller acts as an intermediary that receives the target total flow value and internally determines appropriate reference values for both bleed air and ambient air flows. This intermediary function allows a single physical valve to be controlled with multiple reference values, maintaining precision without requiring multiple valves.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the single flow control valve based on dynamically determined reference values for both air flows. The controller continuously calculates appropriate reference values based on the target total flow and current system state, enabling precise control through a single dynamic valve rather than static multiple valves.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of controlling air flow in an environmental control system includes receiving a target total flow value and a combined flow measurement at an outer control loop module (142). A first air flow reference value is determined based on the target total flow value and the combined flow measurement using the outer control loop module (142). The first air flow reference value is communicated to an inner control loop module (143) and a flow control valve command determined based at least in part on the first air flow reference value using the inner control loop module (143). The flow control valve command is communicated to a flow control valve (106) operatively associated with the inner control loop module (143) to control flow through the ECS using the flow control valve (106). Environmental control systems and computer program products are also described.