Valve With Dual Flow Paths For Aircraft Nitrogen Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In aircraft nitrogen generating systems, there is a need for a valve design that provides both constant and modulated flow paths using a single inlet duct, which is challenging due to space constraints and existing system modifications.
Innovation Solution
A valve design featuring a modulating valve, such as a butterfly disk, ball, gate, spool, or flapper valve, that creates dual flow paths within a shared inlet portion, with a constant flow path and a modulated flow path, allowing for controlled airflow distribution through a single inlet duct.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single inlet duct is used to provide both constant and modulated ram air flows, then space constraints are satisfied and system modification is minimized, but it becomes challenging to provide separate controlled flow paths
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is segmented into multiple flow paths within a single inlet duct structure. The modulated flow path and constant flow path are separated internally using valve components (disk, flapper, gate, or spool) that divide the single inlet flow into distinct controllable channels, allowing independent control of each path while maintaining a compact single-inlet configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The single inlet duct serves multiple functions by providing both modulated and constant flow paths through integrated valve mechanisms. The valve assembly enables one inlet structure to fulfill multiple flow distribution roles, eliminating the need for separate inlet ducts while maintaining both constant and variable flow capabilities.
2Productivity
If a modulating valve is added to control ram air flow to heat exchangers, then nitrogen generation output levels are optimized, but the system requires additional components that increase complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly incorporates dynamic control mechanisms (disk, flapper, gate, or spool) that can adjust the modulated flow path opening degree based on control signals. This dynamic adjustment capability allows optimization of nitrogen generation output by varying ram air flow to heat exchangers, while the integrated design keeps the added complexity manageable within the existing inlet duct structure.
3Reliability
If constant flow of ram air is provided to cool compressor motor and heat exchangers, then system reliability is improved, but space for additional inlet ducts is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The constant flow path and modulated flow path are merged into a single inlet duct structure. The valve assembly internally separates the flows while both paths originate from the same inlet, providing reliable constant cooling flow to the compressor motor and heat exchangers without requiring additional inlet duct space.
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
Enables efficient airflow management by providing a constant flow for cooling and modulated flow for nitrogen generation, without requiring substantial modifications to the nitrogen generating system's inlet duct dimensions, thereby maintaining an inert environment in aircraft fuel tanks.
Implementation Method 1
Both ram air and compressor air flow through a heat exchanger to exchange heat
Implementation Method 2
The opening degree of the valve can be controlled in order to control the flow of ram air to the NGS
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A valve (12) comprises an inlet portion configured to couple to a source of a fluid, and a body portion (30) in fluidic communication with the inlet portion. The body portion defines a modulated flow path (V) and a constant flow path (B) adjacent to the modulated flow path.