Simplified recuperating electric ECS

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Solution Overview

Problem

Environmental control systems face challenges in reducing cost, weight, and complexity, particularly in aircraft where they must adapt to different operating conditions, and existing designs rely on air compressors and motors that increase system weight and complexity.

Innovation Solution

The system eliminates the need for air compressors and their motors by using a motorized, two-wheel air cycle machine that compresses and expands outside air, incorporating a condenser, water extractor, and reheater to enhance energy recuperation and reduce component count.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If air compressors and motors are used to compress outside air, then the ECS can condition air for different environments, but the system weight and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to condition air for different environmentsVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the air compressor and its motor from the ECS system, extracting these components that were causing weight and complexity issues. The system instead uses a two-wheel ACM that utilizes ambient pressure variations to drive the compression and expansion cycles without requiring separate compression equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The two-wheel ACM serves multiple functions: it compresses air during one phase of rotation and expands air during another phase, effectively replacing both the compressor and turbine functions that would traditionally require separate components. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count and system weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If air compressors and motors are used to compress outside air, then the ECS can condition air for different environments, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to condition air for different environmentsVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the compression and expansion functions into a single two-wheel ACM device. The two wheels are interconnected such that one wheel compresses air while the other expands air, combining multiple functions into one integrated component that reduces system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The two-wheel ACM performs multiple functions including compression, expansion, and heat exchange within a single device, eliminating the need for separate compressors, motors, and heat exchangers, thereby significantly reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional ECS components are used, then the system can operate in different operating conditions, but energy recuperation is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation in different operating conditionsVSAvoidenergy recuperation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent captures the waste heat from the air expansion process in the ACM and redirects it through heat exchangers to pre-condition the incoming air or provide heating to the cabin. This converts what would be wasted thermal energy into a useful resource, improving overall energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system recovers energy that would otherwise be discarded during the air expansion process. The heat exchangers capture thermal energy from the expanding air and reuse it for conditioning purposes, preventing energy loss and improving recuperation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 design reduces system weight and complexity while increasing energy recuperation, achieving significant electric power savings across various operating conditions, such as climb, cruise, and descent.

Implementation Method 1

a motorized, two-wheel air cycle machine that compresses and expands outside air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

incorporating a condenser, water extractor, and reheater to enhance energy recuperation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 3

a primary heat exchanger upstream of the reheater

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

heat exchangers transfer thermal energy between air streams

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS10429107B2Simplified recuperating electric ECS

Publication Date: 2019.10.01 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

An environmental control system (ECS) includes an air cycle machine (ACM), a condenser downstream of the ACM, a reheater between the condenser and the ACM, a primary heat exchanger upstream of the reheater, a first regulated flow path between the condenser and a first environment outside of the ECS, a second regulated flow path between a second environment to be conditioned and the reheater, and a third regulated flow path between the primary heat exchanger and the reheater.