Aircraft Propulsion Ventilation System with Regulated Suction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft propulsion systems face challenges in optimizing ventilation flow rates within compartments, leading to over-ventilation during cruising and insufficient ventilation during taxiing phases, resulting in inefficiencies and additional fuel consumption.
Innovation Solution
A propulsion assembly with a suction system, drive means, transfer pipe, distribution pipe with nozzles, and regulating means to control air flow rates, allowing for forced ventilation tailored to specific flight phases, using a control unit and sensors to adjust the suction system's operation based on temperature and airflow needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If passive ventilation with fixed orifices is used, then ventilation is ensured during all flight phases, but over-ventilation occurs during cruising leading to additional fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by replacing fixed passive orifices with an active suction system featuring a controllable fan and regulated air intake orifices. The fan's rotational speed and the orifice openings are dynamically adjusted based on flight phase requirements, allowing the system to provide adequate ventilation during taxiing while minimizing or stopping ventilation during cruising to reduce fuel consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the suction flow rate through regulated air intake orifices and controlling fan speed. During different flight phases, the system modifies these parameters to match ventilation needs - higher flow rates during taxiing for equipment cooling, and reduced or zero flow rates during cruising to eliminate over-ventilation and associated fuel waste.
2Device complexity
If passive ventilation with fixed orifices is used, then ventilation structure is simple, but insufficient ventilation occurs during taxiing phases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static passive orifices to a dynamic active suction system with controllable fan speed and regulated orifices. This allows the ventilation structure to adapt its performance to match the varying thermal requirements during different flight phases, ensuring adequate ventilation during taxiing when equipment generates more heat.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a control unit that receives information from sensors monitoring temperature and flight phase conditions. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically adjust fan speed and orifice regulation to maintain appropriate ventilation levels, ensuring reliability during taxiing while preventing over-ventilation during cruising.
3Reliability
If air intake orifices are oversized to ensure ventilation during taxiing, then ventilation is sufficient during taxiing, but over-ventilation occurs during flight leading to disturbances and fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by making the air intake orifice parameters variable rather than fixed. The regulated orifices and controllable fan allow the system to maintain large effective openings during taxiing for sufficient ventilation, then reduce the effective opening size during cruising to eliminate over-ventilation, associated disturbances, and unnecessary fuel consumption.
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 solution ensures precise ventilation and cooling of compartments, reducing fuel consumption and minimizing disturbances by optimizing air intake and exhaust according to flight phase requirements, while maintaining minimal drag and efficient air circulation.
Implementation Method 1
a suction system having an inlet, an outlet and mobile elements that are designed to draw air in via the inlet and deliver the drawn-in air via the outlet
Implementation Method 2
a regulating means arranged so as to regulate the flow rate of air in the suction system
Implementation Method 3
a distribution pipe disposed in the inner compartment, fluidically connected to the transfer pipe and having a plurality of nozzles
Data Source
AI summary
A propulsion assembly with a primary duct and a secondary duct, an outer fairing delimiting an outer compartment with an inlet opening, an inner fairing delimiting an inner compartment with an air exhaust aperture, a suction system having an inlet, an outlet and mobile elements that draw the air in via the inlet and deliver the air via the outlet, a drive that drives the mobile elements, a transfer pipe connected to the outlet, a distribution pipe disposed in the inner compartment, connected to the transfer pipe and having nozzles, a supply pipe that opens into the outer compartment and is connected to the inlet, and a regulator that regulates the flow rate of air in the suction system. The outside air is then driven by the suction system and passes through the two compartments in a forced manner.