Twin-Plug Non-Return Valve for Aircraft Oil Overflow Diversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft engine lubrication circuits with non-return valves featuring two plugs fail to prevent excessive oil or liquid flow rejection, leading to overheating and damage of bearings and potential engine shutdown due to excessive oil accumulation, especially when the second plug opens in response to abnormal pressure rises.
Innovation Solution
Modifying the lubrication circuit by incorporating a non-return valve with a switching device and a divided outlet, allowing overflow to be diverted outside the usual chamber or to a reservoir when the second overpressure threshold is reached, preventing excessive oil or liquid from entering critical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the second plug opens to evacuate large fluid flows during abnormal pressure rises, then the pressure relief function is improved, but excessive oil enters the gearbox causing overheating and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet is divided into two separate branches: a first branch leading to the gearbox and a second branch leading to external evacuation. The switching device segments the overflow path based on pressure conditions, directing small flows to the gearbox and large abnormal flows externally, thus resolving the contradiction between pressure relief and preventing harmful oil accumulation
Solution Approach 2:
The switching device acts as an intermediary between the non-return valve and the two outlet branches. It mediates the overflow based on pressure threshold, automatically selecting the appropriate evacuation path without manual intervention, thereby preventing harmful effects while maintaining reliable pressure relief
2Productivity
If the non-return valve evacuates large quantities of oil to the gearbox, then the overflow evacuation capability is improved, but the lubrication system suffers from excessive oil accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet is segmented into two branches with different destinations: the first branch handles normal overflow to the gearbox, while the second branch handles abnormal large-volume overflow to external evacuation. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high evacuation capability while controlling oil accumulation by directing excess oil away from the gearbox
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the outlet system have different functions: the first branch is optimized for normal operational overflow with smaller flow capacity, while the second branch is optimized for abnormal pressure relief with larger flow capacity but external discharge. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between evacuation capability and oil accumulation
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
Prevents harmful overfilling and mixing of fluids in the gearbox and other equipment, maintaining safe pressure levels and reducing the risk of damage by directing most overflow outside the circuit or to a drainage reservoir, thus ensuring continuous operation and reducing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
a first valve plug and a second valve plug housed in a manner free to move in the body to open and to create a communication between the connector and the outlet, when a first overpressure threshold is reached on the upstream side for the first valve plug
Implementation Method 2
when a second overpressure threshold on the upstream side higher than the first threshold is reached, for the second valve plug
Implementation Method 3
non-return valves with two plugs that open at different pressure thresholds... contribute to maintaining at a constant pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A non-return valve with twin plugs is connected to a fluid reservoir and equipment that can receive a small overflow quantity essentially in the gaseous state from the reservoir. This occurs when the primary valve is open. In the case of a larger overflow essentially in the liquid state, the openings are switched over to evacuate the overflow to another outlet branch of the non-return valve, without it being transferred to the equipment. The invention is useful in an oil lubrication circuit, in which a hypothetical fuel leak into the oil could cause the oil reservoir to overflow into the non-return valve and in which a significant flow of liquid to the equipment must be avoided; oil outlet through the other branch of the outlet can remain in a reservoir provided with a drain system.