Tortuous Path Oxygen Removal Unit for Aircraft Fuel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft fuel supply systems face issues with oxygen entrainment leading to the formation of deposits due to reactions at elevated temperatures, which can clog fuel filters and injectors, necessitating an effective oxygen removal mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A gas removal unit with a tube bundle structure where fuel passes over permeable membrane tubes, allowing oxygen to be removed by a vacuum source, utilizing a hollow mandrel and multiple chambers with baffles to create a tortuous path for efficient oxygen extraction, while preventing liquid fuel from entering the tubes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple linear flow path is used in the gas removal unit, then the device complexity is reduced, but the oxygen removal efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is designed as a tortuous path with curved sections instead of straight lines, causing the liquid fuel to follow a winding route through the tube bundle. This increases the contact time and interaction between fuel and tubes, improving oxygen removal efficiency without requiring additional complex components
Solution Approach 2:
The flow path transitions from a simple linear one-dimensional path to a three-dimensional tortuous path that moves through multiple chambers and around baffles. This dimensional transformation increases the effective path length and contact area within the same device volume, enhancing oxygen extraction efficiency
2Productivity
If the tube bundle extends further outwardly to increase oxygen removal capacity, then the oxygen removal efficiency improves, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending the tube bundle radially outward in a single direction, the design uses multiple concentric chambers (first, second, third chambers) arranged axially. The tortuous path moves fuel through these chambers sequentially, effectively increasing the tube bundle interaction length without proportional increases in radial space or structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The tube bundle system is divided into multiple segments corresponding to different chambers (first chamber with first tube bundle, second chamber with second tube bundle, etc.). Each chamber contains a portion of the tube bundle, allowing the system to achieve high oxygen removal capacity through distributed processing rather than requiring a single large complex structure
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 configuration effectively reduces oxygen levels in the fuel, preventing deposit formation and ensuring reliable operation of fuel system components by maintaining a more oxygen-free state, thus enhancing the durability and efficiency of the fuel supply system.
Implementation Method 1
The tubes are formed of a material that allows passage of a gas from outward of the tubes into an interior of the tubes
Implementation Method 2
Oxygen can pass through the walls of the tube and then be removed, such as by a vacuum
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A gas removal unit has a tube bundle formed of a plurality of tubes (32) with a hollow center (97). The tubes are formed of a material that allows passage of a gas from an exterior of the tube into an interior of the tube and resists flow of at least some liquids through the tube into the interior of the tube. There is a plurality of inner chambers within the bundle and a plurality of outer chambers outward of the bundle. A fluid inlet (22) connects to a first of the inner or outer chambers and a fluid outlet (63) connects to a second of the inner and outer chambers. An axial direction is defined between the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. A tortuous path is defined by the inner and outer chambers such that a fluid will pass repeatedly from the inner chambers to the outer chambers, and from the outer chambers to the inner chambers, as it moves along the axial direction from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. A fuel supply system is also disclosed.