Aircraft Turbine Engine Tank Isolation via Extinguishant Pressure Valve
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft turbomachines face challenges in isolating combustible fluid tanks during fires without relying on bulky and heavy specific fire protection systems, and existing regulation systems may not be available to control cut-off valves, leading to potential untimely cuts in lubricant flow.
Innovation Solution
An assembly for a turbomachine that includes a fire extinguishing system connected to a shut-off valve, which automatically closes in response to an increase in extinguishing agent pressure, limiting fluid flow to the combustible fluid tank and eliminating the need for external regulation system intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specific fire protection systems are provided for turbomachine components, then fire protection capability is improved, but weight and size of the turbomachine increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fire extinguishing system's pressurized agent serves dual purposes: extinguishing fire directly and simultaneously triggering valve closure through pressure increase in communication means, eliminating the need for separate fire detection and valve control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own extinguishing agent pressure to automatically close the valve without requiring external control systems, making the fire protection system self-activating and reducing dependency on separate control mechanisms
2Reliability
If a control system is used to close the shut-off valve during fire, then valve closure control is improved, but system complexity and control availability requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shut-off valve closes automatically using the pressure from the fire extinguishing agent itself, without requiring any external control system intervention. The system serves itself by using its extinguishing agent pressure as the triggering mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure increase in the fluidic communication means acts as an intermediary that transfers the fire extinguishing action into valve closure action, eliminating the need for direct control system involvement
3Reliability
If lubricant flow rate is reduced during fire, then fire protection is improved, but cooling capability of the turbomachine deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts lubricant flow based on fire conditions: the valve remains open during normal operation to maintain cooling, and closes automatically only when fire extinguishing agent pressure increases, providing dynamic fire protection without permanent flow restriction
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary action by using the fire extinguishing agent pressure to preemptively close the valve before the fire can spread through the lubricant, preventing rather than reacting to fire propagation
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 solution reduces the mass and size of the turbomachine's fire protection system while ensuring the combustible fluid tank is isolated only during a fire, preventing fueling of the fire with combustible fluid until it is extinguished, thus enhancing safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the shut-off valve being configured to close in response to an increase in extinguishing agent pressure in the fluidic communication means
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention concerns a method for isolating a tank (21) of combustible fluid from a downstream portion (23) of a fluid supply system for a turbine engine. The supply system (20) comprises the tank (21) and a cutoff valve (22) located between the tank (21) and the downstream portion (23). The cutoff valve (22) is configured to limit a flow of fluid towards the downstream portion (23). The cutoff valve (22) is fluidically linked to a fire extinguishing system (30) by fluid communication means (37). The method comprises a step of closing the cutoff valve in response to an increase in extinguishant pressure in the fluid communication means (37).