Toroidal Annulus Duct Design for Compact Aircraft ECS Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft environmental control systems (ECS) face challenges in designing economical low-pressure ECS architectures that operate efficiently during both ground and flight operations without compromising water extractor efficiency, often requiring large line sizes and duct bends that consume valuable packaging volume.
Innovation Solution
A duct and fluid extractor assembly design featuring a tubular member and tributary tubular member with torus sectors forming a sectioned toroidal annulus, combined with a controllable valve system, allows for a straight-line fluid flow and efficient water extraction, enabling the power turbine to function as both a power turbine in flight and a cooling turbine on the ground with minimal bends and maintaining water extractor efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If large line sizes and duct bends are used to connect cabin air to the power turbine, then the turbine can operate as both cooling and power turbine, but the packaging volume is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The upstream duct is nested through the torus sectors of the elbow, with the duct passing through apertures in the torus structure. This nesting arrangement allows the duct to be integrated within the existing elbow geometry, eliminating the need for additional space-consuming connections while maintaining the ability to direct cabin air to the turbine for both cooling and power operations
Solution Approach 2:
The design utilizes the radial and axial dimensions of the torus sector apertures to route the duct in three-dimensional space. By positioning apertures at specific locations and orientations on the torus sectors, the duct can change direction and connect to the turbine without requiring large duct bends, effectively using spatial dimensionality to resolve the volume constraint
2Use of energy by moving object
If the turbine operates as cooling turbine during ground operations, then fuel efficiency is improved, but water extractor efficiency may be impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The duct design incorporates localized features including tapered apertures in the torus sectors and specific duct positioning to optimize fluid extraction at critical locations. The tapering of apertures and the strategic placement of the duct within the torus structure create localized flow conditions that enhance water extraction efficiency specifically at the duct-aperture interface, ensuring reliable operation during ground cooling mode without compromising overall system performance
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 enhances fuel efficiency by reducing packaging volume requirements and maintaining water extractor efficiency, allowing the power turbine to operate effectively in both flight and ground modes with reduced complexity and space consumption.
Implementation Method 1
direct a third fluid along a substantially straight line into and through the fluid extractor assembly
Implementation Method 2
The controllable valve system is configured to block the third fluid within the duct and direct the second fluid from the ram air circuit to the ACM through the condenser and through the fluid extractor assembly for first fluid extraction
Implementation Method 3
a fluid extractor assembly configured to extract a first fluid from a second fluid and to direct the second fluid from the condenser to the ACM
Data Source
AI summary
A duct is provided and includes a tubular member having an inlet portion, an outlet portion and a central portion interposed between the inlet and outlet portions and a tributary tubular member fluidly coupled to the tubular member at the central portion. The tributary tubular member includes first and second torus sectors defining first and second apertures, respectively, through which an upstream end of the central portion extends. The second torus sector is disposed within the first torus sector to define a sectioned toroidal annulus about the first and second apertures and between an exterior surface of the second torus sector and an interior surface of the first torus sector.