Vacuum Ejector for Fuel Deaeration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current shaft-driven vacuum pumping technology for oxygen removal units in aerospace applications is limited by low reliability and large volume/weight, necessitating a more compact, reliable, and efficient vacuum generation system.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum generation system utilizing a main ejector with a second ejector positioned upstream or downstream, employing a Venturi effect with bleed air and fan air sources to create a vacuum for removing dissolved gases from fuel, with flow restrictors to modulate pressure and reduce energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If shaft-driven vacuum pumping technology is used, then vacuum generation capability is achieved, but reliability is reduced and volume/weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical vacuum pump system with a fluid dynamic ejector system that uses high-pressure fluid flow to generate vacuum. The ejector uses a nozzle to create a low-pressure region that draws vapor through a separator, eliminating mechanical moving parts and improving reliability while reducing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic principles by employing high-pressure air or gas flow through a nozzle to create a vacuum effect. The ejector converts pneumatic energy from the high-pressure fluid into a vacuum field that draws vapor from the fuel tank, replacing mechanical vacuum generation with a pneumatic system
2Reliability
If shaft-driven vacuum pumping technology is used, then vacuum generation capability is achieved, but volume and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical vacuum pump with a fluid dynamic ejector system that has no moving parts. This substitution dramatically reduces the weight of the vacuum generation system while maintaining reliability, as the ejector uses fluid flow dynamics rather than mechanical components to generate vacuum
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the heavy mechanical components (motor, shaft, bearings, seals) from the vacuum generation system. By removing these unnecessary mechanical parts and replacing them with a purely fluid dynamic system, the overall weight is significantly reduced while reliability is improved
3Productivity
If multiple fluid sources are supplied to the ejector, then vacuum generation efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control of fluid sources by using a control system that adjusts the operation of multiple fluid sources (engine-driven pump, accessory-driven pump, vacuum reservoir) based on actual vacuum requirements. This dynamic allocation optimizes efficiency while managing complexity through intelligent control rather than fixed mechanical configurations
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 system achieves increased reliability and reduced size while minimizing energy consumption and net fuel consumption, providing a more efficient vacuum generation for oxygen removal units.
Implementation Method 1
employing a Venturi effect with bleed air and fan air sources to create a vacuum for removing dissolved gases from fuel
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A vacuum generation system includes a main ejector (102) having a first fluid inlet (124) and a second fluid inlet (126). The second fluid inlet is configured and adapted to pull dissolved gases out of fuel. The system includes a plurality of fluid sources configured and adapted to be variably supplied to the first fluid inlet of the main ejector. A method of modulating pressure in an ejector to generate a vacuum includes supplying a fluid to an ejector from at least one of a plurality of fluid sources, and generating a vacuum with the ejector for removing dissolved gasses out of fuel.