Parallel flow and counterflow insulated preconditioned air delivery system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft conditioning air systems face temperature fluctuations due to thermal loading from the environment, leading to inefficient energy use as ground-based systems must supply air at significantly colder or warmer temperatures than desired, resulting in larger units and excess energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A self-insulating air delivery system utilizing a three-layer dual counterflow air delivery/insulation arrangement with concentric hoses and counterflow air layers to maintain the desired air temperature, where conditioned air is insulated by parallel and counterflow airflows, reducing heat transfer from the environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If ground-based supply system delivers conditioned air through a hose exposed to environmental thermal loading, then the air can be supplied to the aircraft, but the air temperature deviates significantly from the desired temperature due to heat transfer through the hose
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary insulating air layer between the conditioned air in the supply hose and the external environment. This layer of air, contained within an outer hose or sleeve, acts as a thermal barrier that reduces heat transfer between the environment and the conditioned air, thereby maintaining the desired air temperature while reducing the energy required to compensate for thermal losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pneumatic principles by introducing and circulating air within the insulating layer to provide thermal insulation. The air layer, whether static or dynamically circulated, leverages the low thermal conductivity of air to reduce heat transfer, demonstrating the application of pneumatic concepts for thermal management in the air delivery system.
2Temperature
If ground-based supply system increases the cooling capacity to compensate for thermal loading, then the desired air temperature can be maintained at the aircraft, but larger and more energy-consuming equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary insulating air layer between the conditioned air in the supply hose and the external environment. This layer of air, contained within an outer hose or sleeve, acts as a thermal barrier that reduces heat transfer between the environment and the conditioned air, thereby maintaining the desired air temperature while reducing the energy required to compensate for thermal losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible outer hose or sleeve that encloses the supply hose and creates an insulating air layer. This flexible shell structure provides thermal insulation while maintaining the portability and adaptability of the ground-based air delivery system, avoiding the need for rigid and bulky insulation structures.
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 system effectively maintains the desired air temperature, reducing energy consumption and the need for larger conditioning units by insulating the air from environmental heat transfer, ensuring the air arrives at the aircraft closer to the intended temperature.
Implementation Method 1
a three-layered concentric hose assembly attaching the starting section and the reversing connector... two layers of insulating airflow... first annular insulating air layer... second, counterflow, annular insulating air layer
Implementation Method 2
The starting section also either creates bleed conditioned air or accepts conditioned insulating air and supplies it to a first interior insulating hose... airflow in the second annular insulating air layer travels in the opposite direction of the supply air flow
Data Source
AI summary
A self-insulating air delivery system maintains a desired air temperature of the conditioned air supplied thereinto for delivery to an aircraft. The system uses insulating airflow layers; a parallel layer and a counterflow layer. A starting section connects to a PCA unit and delivers conditioned air therefrom to an interior supply hose. The starting section also either creates bleed conditioned air or accepts conditioned insulating air and supplies it to an interior insulating hose that is annularly outward of the supply hose and in which air flows parallel to airflow in the supply hose. A reversing connector indirectly connects the supply hose to the aircraft and reverses the flow of air from the interior insulating hose to flow back toward the PCA unit in an exterior counterflow hose that is annularly outward of the interior insulating hose.