Tangential Water Separator for Aircraft ECS Ice Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In aircraft environmental control systems, moisture condensation within the airflow leads to ice buildup in turbine blades, causing imbalance and reducing system reliability and efficiency, especially in newer systems with bent flow paths where conventional water removal methods are less effective.
Innovation Solution
A tangentially positioned water extractor with a frusto-conical body and offset inlet conduit, which imparts rotational motion to the airstream, separating water droplets from air through centrifugal force and a labyrinthine flow path, ensuring efficient water collection and minimizing ice formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the flow path includes at least one bend between the centrifugal means and the water separation vessel, then the device can be adapted to newer environmental control system configurations, but water collection efficiency deteriorates because only a portion of the water is collected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the flow path by positioning the water separation vessel below the centrifugal means and using gravity-assisted flow paths with bends. This multi-dimensional approach allows the system to accommodate newer ECS configurations while maintaining separation efficiency through strategic use of gravitational forces and flow path geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The water separation system is divided into distinct functional segments: the centrifugal means for initial separation, the water separation vessel for collection, and intermediate flow paths with bends for directional control. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to achieve high overall efficiency.
2Device complexity
If moisture is not removed from the airstream, then the system structure remains simple, but ice buildup occurs on turbine blades causing imbalance and reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The water separation system performs preliminary moisture removal before the airstream reaches the turbine. By proactively separating water droplets through centrifugal forces and gravity-assisted collection, the system prevents ice buildup on turbine blades, ensuring reliable operation without adding complex ice protection mechanisms.
3Ease of manufacture
If a conventional water collector is used downstream from the heat exchanger, then the system is simple to implement, but water removal efficiency is insufficient leading to moisture buildup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pneumatic and gravitational principles by using the natural flow of air and water droplets through bent flow paths. The water separation vessel is positioned to utilize gravity for water collection, while the flow path geometry controls the movement of the air-water mixture, achieving high removal efficiency through fluid dynamics rather than mechanical complexity.
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 solution achieves a water removal efficiency of at least 90% and prevents ice buildup, enhancing system reliability and efficiency by effectively separating water from the airstream before it reaches the turbine, while being compact enough for retrofitting into existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
A separator mechanism upstream of a water collection vessel is provided. The separator mechanism is configured to separate water from a tangential flow of an air stream. Inlet means are provided for receiving a humid air stream and for imparting a rotational motion to the air stream such that the air stream enters a body of the separator mechanism at an outer periphery of the body.
Implementation Method 2
As the airstream flows into a downstream water separation vessel, the water condenses on the walls of a water receiving portion and then gravity causes the moisture to fall out of the separator
Implementation Method 3
As a humid airstream is cooled within a heat exchanger of an environmental control system of an aircraft, condensation typically forms resulting in droplets of moisture being entrained within the airstream.
Data Source
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AI summary
An environmental control system of an aircraft includes a heat exchanger (58) configured to cool an airstream and a water extractor (60) arranged in fluid communication with an outlet of the heat exchanger. The water extractor includes a separation mechanism (70) for separating the airstream into a first airstream and a second airstream. The first airstream has water droplets entrained therein. A flow path of the airstream within the separation mechanism includes an angle. The separation mechanism includes a water extractor vessel (72) axially aligned and in fluid communication with the separation mechanism. The water extractor vessel includes a first portion for receiving the first airstream and a second portion for receiving the second airstream. The first portion is configured to collect and remove water droplets from the first airstream.