Aircraft Vent Line Flow Regulator for Vacuum Waste Bypass Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vacuum waste systems in aircraft face challenges in regulating the flow rate of airstreams at higher altitudes, leading to excessive expulsion of solid and liquid waste components or moisture, which can obstruct the vent line, due to the binary check valve's inability to modulate flow.
Innovation Solution
A bypass flow regulator with a valve assembly, including umbrella valves or flexible valves, is introduced in the vent line to modulate the airstream flow rate to a predetermined maximum, preventing excessive expulsion of waste components and ensuring the airstream is free of solids and moisture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a binary check valve is used to control vent line access, then the valve structure is simple, but the flow rate cannot be regulated and may exceed the capacity of the vacuum waste system at higher altitudes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the static binary check valve with a dynamic flow regulator that can modulate the flow area of the vent line. The regulator includes a movable component that adjusts the effective flow area to control the airstream flow rate, transforming the system from a fixed-state valve to an adjustable dynamic control mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the flow rate parameter by adjusting the effective flow area of the vent line through the flow regulator. This allows the system to adapt the airstream flow rate to match the waste removal capacity at different altitudes, preventing excessive flow that would carry waste particles outside.
2Stress or pressure
If the airstream flow rate is high at higher altitudes, then the pressure differential is effective for suction, but waste components and moisture are expelled into the atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
The flow regulator is configured to modulate the vent line flow area based on the waste removal capacity of the vacuum waste system. This creates a feedback mechanism where the flow rate is continuously adjusted to ensure it does not exceed the separator's or demister's capacity, preventing waste expulsion while maintaining effective suction.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow regulator preemptively limits the airstream flow rate before waste components can be carried outside. By controlling the maximum flow area, the system prevents the harmful effect of waste expulsion before it occurs, rather than attempting to recover from it.
3Ease of operation
If the vent line is unobstructed, then the airstream flows freely, but the flow rate exceeds the waste removal capacity of the vacuum waste system
Solution Approach 1:
The flow regulator introduces a dynamic control element that adjusts the vent line flow area to match the waste removal capacity. This maintains reliable waste separation by ensuring the airstream flow rate never exceeds what the separator or demister can handle, while still allowing free flow within the regulated limit.
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 bypass flow regulator effectively regulates the airstream flow rate, preventing waste components from being ejected into the atmosphere and ensuring the airstream is moisture-free, thus maintaining system efficiency and sanitation at varying altitudes.
Implementation Method 1
The IVS generates a vortex flow by redirecting the waste stream to remove solid and liquid waste components (e.g., centrifugally)
Implementation Method 2
The IVS generates a vortex flow by redirecting the waste stream to remove solid and liquid waste components (e.g., centrifugally)
Implementation Method 3
The VWS induces suction (drawing the airstream from the waste tank) based on the pressure differential between the aircraft cabin and the atmospheric pressure external to the aircraft
Implementation Method 4
The vacuum generator induces suction in the VWS (e.g., to draw waste streams into the waste tank) by pumping air from the waste tank
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A bypass flow regulator (114a) for a vacuum waste system (VWS) (100) is disclosed. The bypass flow regulator (114a) includes a valve assembly installable in an aircraft vent line (106) leading outside the aircraft from an onboard VWS waste tank. The vent line (106) directs an airstream pumped from the waste tank to an external outlet under suction (from which outlet the airstream is ejected from the aircraft). The valve assembly includes a group of valves (e.g., umbrella valves) set into the path of the airstream. The valves (204a-c)may collectively modulate the flow rate of the airstream by adjusting their effective flow area.