Triple-Piston PRSOV Redundancy for Aircraft Anti-Ice Flow Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pressure regulating shut-off valves (PRSOV) in aircraft anti-ice systems lack redundancy for both shut-off and regulating functions, leading to potential failures due to piston and pressure relief valve failures, and current solutions with redundancy either increase weight and size or require multiple valves.

Innovation Solution

A triple-piston PRSOV design where three distinct pistons provide redundancy for both shut-off and regulating functions, with each piston independently actuable and configured to maintain operation even in case of single piston failure, allowing for dual redundancy in a compact and lightweight form.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single piston PRSOV is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability is insufficient due to lack of redundancy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve structure complexityVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The valve is segmented into three independent pistons (first shut-off piston, second piston with dual function, third regulating piston), each capable of performing specific functions. This segmentation allows redundancy while maintaining manageable complexity within each piston component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second piston is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a shut-off piston and a regulating piston. This universal design reduces the total number of components needed while maintaining redundancy, as the second piston can compensate for failures in either the first or third piston.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If two single piston PRSOVs are used in series, then the reliability is improved through redundancy, but the weight and volume increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidvalve weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple piston functions are merged into a single valve body. The first shut-off piston, second dual-function piston, and third regulating piston are integrated within one valve structure, eliminating the need for two separate single-piston valves while providing equivalent or superior redundancy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The second piston serves multiple functions (both shut-off and regulating), reducing the total component count. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve redundancy with fewer overall components compared to using two separate single-piston valves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If two single piston PRSOVs are used in series, then the reliability is improved through redundancy, but the volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidvalve volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The three pistons are nested within a single valve body structure, with each piston operating in its own chamber or sleeve within the integrated valve. This nesting approach consolidates what would otherwise require two separate valve volumes into one compact unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 triple-piston design ensures dual redundancy for both shut-off and pressure regulating functions, maintaining stability and reducing weight and size compared to existing solutions, by having each piston serve as a primary or redundant depending on configuration, thus preventing loss of function in case of failure.

Implementation Method 1

a first piston (15) operable as a shut-off piston, the first piston being actuable between a first position in which fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet is permitted, and a second position in which fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet is prevented

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a second piston (16) operable as a shut-off piston and as a regulating piston, the second piston being actuable between a first position in which fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet is permitted and a second position in which fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet is prevented, and being actuable to regulate flow between the inlet and the outlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

a third piston (17) operable as a regulating piston, the third piston being actuable to regulate flow between the inlet and the outlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS20240111316A1Pressure regulating shut-off valve

Publication Date: 2024.04.04 MICROTECHNICA SRL

AI summary

A pressure regulating shut-off valve (PRSOV) for an aircraft anti-ice system includes a valve body defining an inlet and an outlet and a fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet. The valve includes a first piston is operable as a shut-off piston, a second piston is operable as a shut-off piston and as a regulating piston and a third piston is operable as a regulating piston, the third piston being actuable to regulate flow between the inlet and the outlet.