Variable Channel Diffuser Movable Floor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vaned diffusers in aircraft environmental control systems are costly to manufacture and maintain due to individual vane construction and assembly, and have numerous wear surfaces that decrease part life and increase maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A variable channel diffuser with a movable floor and recessed areas in the channel plate, where standoffs and recessed areas define channels with variable flow areas through the movement of the floor plate relative to the channel plate, eliminating the need for individual vanes and reducing wear surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If individual vanes are constructed and assembled in a diffuser, then the diffuser can control airflow, but manufacturing costs and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual vanes into a single integrated floor plate structure. The floor plate contains multiple recessed areas that collectively perform the airflow control function previously requiring separate vanes. This integration eliminates the need for assembling multiple individual components, directly reducing manufacturing complexity and assembly time while maintaining airflow control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The floor plate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it structures the diffuser channels, controls airflow through its recessed areas, and replaces multiple individual vanes. By making the floor plate a multi-functional component that performs what previously required several separate parts, the design reduces part count and assembly operations without sacrificing airflow control versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple vanes are assembled in the diffuser, then airflow can be controlled, but the number of wear surfaces increases and part life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate vane components into a single integrated floor plate. This merger reduces the total number of parts from multiple individual vanes to one unified structure, thereby reducing the number of interfaces and potential wear surfaces. Fewer separate components mean fewer places where wear can occur, directly improving reliability and part life.
3Adaptability or versatility
If individual vanes are used in the diffuser, then airflow control is achieved, but system weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple vane structures into a single floor plate component. This consolidation reduces the total material required compared to assembling multiple separate vanes, as the integrated structure can be optimized as a single piece rather than multiple overlapping components. The reduction in part count and material usage directly decreases the weight of the diffuser system.
Solution Approach 2:
The recessed areas in the floor plate are strategically positioned and sized to control airflow patterns. By optimizing the geometry and distribution of these recessed areas, the design achieves effective airflow control with minimal material, reducing weight while maintaining performance.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A variable channel diffuser (200) includes a shroud (40, 216), a backing plate (44), a channel plate (204) adjacent to the backing plate (44), a floor plate (202) adjacent to the shroud (40, 216), standoffs (212) formed on the floor plate (202), and recessed areas (210) formed in the channel plate (204). The channel plate (204) is between the shroud (40, 216) and the backing plate (44). The floor plate (202) is between the shroud (40, 216) and the channel plate (204) and is movable relative to the channel plate (204). The standoffs (212) and the recessed areas (210) define channels (214) for fluid flow. Each channel (214) has an area which is variable through movement of the floor plate (202) relative to the channel plate (204).