Nested Toroidal Duct Assembly for Aircraft Low-Pressure ECS Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft environmental control systems (ECS) face challenges in designing economical low-pressure ECS architectures that operate efficiently during both ground and flight operations without compromising water extractor efficiency, often requiring large line sizes and duct bends that consume packaging volume and complicate the power turbine's functionality.
Innovation Solution
A fluid extractor assembly with a tubular member and tributary tubular member, featuring torus sectors and swirl vanes, is integrated into the ECS, allowing for a straight-line fluid flow and efficient water extraction, while consolidating the power turbine control valve and water extractor into a single element to maintain efficiency and reduce packaging requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If large line sizes and duct bend radii are used to connect cabin air to the power turbine, then the turbine can operate as both cooling and power turbine, but the packaging volume is consumed and the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The upstream duct is nested within the downstream duct, with the upstream duct extending through the first aperture and second aperture of the downstream duct. This nesting arrangement allows both ducts to occupy the same spatial envelope, significantly reducing the packaging volume required while maintaining the ability to deliver both cabin air and ram air to the turbine for versatile operation
Solution Approach 2:
The duct system utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement with the upstream duct positioned concentrically within the downstream duct, creating efficient use of available space. The ducts extend through apertures in torus sectors, utilizing vertical and radial dimensions to achieve compact integration without compromising airflow requirements
2Loss of energy
If additional connections and large ducts are added to enable low-pressure operation, then fuel economy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power turbine control valve and water extractor are consolidated into a single integrated component. The control valve body serves dual functions: regulating power to the turbine and extracting water from ram air. This merging eliminates the need for separate components and connections, reducing system complexity while maintaining low-pressure operational efficiency and fuel economy
Solution Approach 2:
The downstream duct serves multiple functions: it acts as a power turbine control valve, a water extractor, and an air delivery conduit. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the system, simplifying the overall duct system while enabling efficient low-pressure operation that improves fuel economy
3Loss of energy
If the turbine operates as cooling turbine on ground and power turbine in flight, then fuel economy is improved, but water extractor efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its airflow paths based on operational mode. During ground operations, the downstream duct delivers cabin air to the turbine for cooling function. During flight, the upstream duct delivers ram air through the condenser to the turbine for power generation, with the controllable valve system switching between modes. This dynamic configuration maintains water extractor efficiency in both modes while improving fuel economy
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
This configuration enables the power turbine to function as both a power turbine in flight and a cooling turbine on the ground with minimal bends, maintaining water extractor efficiency and optimizing packaging volume, thus achieving the goal of economical low-pressure ECS operation.
Implementation Method 1
fluid extractor swirl vanes in the upstream section to drive fluid of a fluid flow proceeding into the central flow path into the condensate collection gap
Data Source
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AI summary
A duct is provided and includes a tubular member (801) having an inlet portion, an outlet portion and a central portion interposed between the inlet and outlet portions and a tributary tubular member (80) fluidly coupled to the tubular member at the central portion. The tributary tubular member includes first and second torus sectors (850, 851) defining first and second apertures (852, 853), respectively, through which an upstream end of the central portion extends. The second torus sector is disposed within the first torus sector to define a sectioned toroidal annulus about the first and second apertures and between an exterior surface of the second torus sector and an interior surface of the first torus sector.