Thermal Pneumatic Deicing for Aircraft RAM Air Heat Exchanger

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ice build-up in RAM air heat exchangers of aircraft environmental control systems reduces airflow efficiency and increases the risk of Air Cycle Machine surge, as existing deicing systems are inadequate in effectively addressing this issue.

Innovation Solution

A thermal pneumatic deicing system that includes a duct fluidically connecting the RAM air heat exchanger and an electronics housing, with a valve and controller to selectively direct a heated airflow from the electronics housing to the heat exchanger for deicing, using a deicing duct to deliver the heated airflow and a valve operated by a controller to manage airflow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a RAM air system uses external air for heat exchange, then cooling efficiency is improved, but ice build-up occurs on the heat exchanger

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidice build-up

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the cold external air that causes icing into a useful deicing resource by routing it through a deicing duct to the heat exchanger, transforming the harmful cold airflow into a beneficial deicing agent that removes ice buildup

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Productivity

If ice build-up occurs on the heat exchanger, then airflow through the heat exchanger is reduced, but existing deicing systems are inadequate to address this issue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow efficiencyVSAvoiddeicing effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses its own existing RAM air intake and cooling infrastructure to provide deicing functionality, making the system self-sufficient by utilizing its own resources rather than requiring separate external deicing systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 thaws ice on the RAM air heat exchanger, maintaining airflow efficiency and preventing ACM surge by using a controlled heated airflow to address icing conditions.

Implementation Method 1

exchanging heat between electronics in the electronics housing and the cooling airflow forming a heated airflow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2805882B1Thermal pneumatic deicing system for an aircraft ram air heat exchanger

Publication Date: 2016.04.27 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP

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AI summary

A thermal pneumatic deicing system (40) for deicing a RAM air heat exchanger includes an environmental control system (ECS) (50) including a RAM air heat exchanger (54) and an outlet (60), an electronics housing (78) including a plurality of electronic components (82), and a duct (90) fluidically connecting the RAM air heat exchanger (54) and the electronics housing (78). The duct (90) includes a valve (99). A controller (120) is operatively connected to the valve (99). The controller (120) is configured and disposed to selectively fluidically connect the RAM air heat exchanger (54) and the electronics housing (78) to facilitate deicing of the heat exchanger (54).