Pipe Connecting Fitting With Integrated Heater Duct Guidance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid circuit systems in aircraft, such as drinking water and drainage circuits, face challenges with manual and time-consuming installation of heating elements, leading to inefficient heat transfer and potential icing issues due to the use of separate guide members that bypass interconnecting fittings.
Innovation Solution
An integrated interconnecting fitting with a guide member on its outer surface allows for direct heat transfer between the heater duct and pipes, eliminating the need for additional parts and tools, enabling faster and more efficient assembly while reducing installation time and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate guide member is used to bypass the interconnecting fitting, then the heater duct can be positioned along the pipes, but the interconnecting fitting is not optimally heated and icing may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is integrated directly onto the interconnecting fitting as a single component, eliminating the need for separate add-on guide members. This merging ensures the heater duct is positioned in direct contact with both the pipes and the interconnecting fitting, optimizing heat transfer to all components while reducing the total number of parts.
2Ease of operation
If an add-on guide member is used, then the heater duct positioning is facilitated, but the installation becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is manufactured as an integral part of the interconnecting fitting, combining two functions (guiding the heater duct and connecting pipes) into a single component. This eliminates the need for separate installation steps for the guide member, significantly reducing installation time and complexity while maintaining ease of heater duct positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The interconnecting fitting is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: mechanically connecting the pipes, guiding the heater duct into position, and enabling heat transfer to both the pipes and the fitting itself. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components and simplifies the installation process.
3Strength
If the interconnecting fitting has a larger diameter than the pipes, then it can properly connect the pipes, but it presents a drawback when fastening the heater duct
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is integrated onto the interconnecting fitting in such a way that it provides a surface for fastening the heater duct without compromising the fitting's larger diameter and connection strength. The guide member and fitting are designed as a unified structure where the guide features do not interfere with the pipe connection functionality.
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 integrated guide member ensures improved heat transfer to the interconnecting fitting, reducing the risk of icing and simplifying the installation process, thus enhancing the reliability and efficiency of fluid circuit heating in aircraft.
Implementation Method 1
the heater duct being configured to transmit heat to the pipes and the interconnecting fitting
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid circuit, in particular for an aircraft, having at least a first pipe, a second pipe and a connecting fitting, each pipe having a connection end and extending along an axis X, the connecting fitting, movably mounted between the two pipes, being configured to mechanically connect the two connection ends, the connecting fitting having a connecting sleeve and a guide member formed on an outer surface of the connecting sleeve and configured to cooperate with a heater duct so as to guide it between the two pipes, the heater duct being configured to transmit heat to the pipes and to the connecting fitting so as to prevent them from icing up.