Vented Diaphragm Regulator Using Cold-Air Reference Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current regulators in harsh thermal environments, such as aircraft, face challenges in protecting temperature-sensitive elements due to high temperatures, leading to reduced performance or damage, and existing cooling solutions are either costly, complex, or inefficient, particularly impacting specific fuel consumption.

Innovation Solution

A regulator design that utilizes a cold source as both a reference pressure and cooling mechanism for temperature-sensitive elements, such as a diaphragm, by guiding a dynamic cold air stream from a turbomachine to directly cool these elements, allowing for efficient ventilation and reduced fuel consumption without relocating sensitive components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sensitive elements are moved to a protected area, then they are protected from high temperature, but the system becomes more complex and costly with additional channels required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of temperature-sensitive elementsVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a thermal barrier layer as an intermediary between the hot air stream and the temperature-sensitive diaphragm. This barrier layer blocks heat transfer while allowing the diaphragm to remain in its functional position within the hot air path, eliminating the need to relocate sensitive elements to protected areas with additional channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a thermal barrier layer that is permeable to the hot air stream but impermeable to heat conduction. This allows the hot air to pass through to actuate the diaphragm while preventing thermal energy from reaching the sensitive elements, solving the protection problem without mechanical relocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Temperature

If global or directed ventilation is added to cool sensitive elements, then cooling effectiveness improves, but specific fuel consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling of sensitive elementsVSAvoidspecific fuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful hot air stream into a beneficial cooling mechanism. The hot air, which would otherwise overheat the diaphragm, is redirected through a passage that allows it to cool the diaphragm's rear face after passing through the thermal barrier. This eliminates the need for separate ventilation systems and reduces fuel consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The thermal barrier layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it blocks heat conduction to protect the diaphragm, allows hot air permeation for actuation, and facilitates a cooling pathway for the diaphragm's rear face. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated cooling systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Volume of moving object

If the regulator is placed close to the valve for compactness, then system compactness improves, but temperature-sensitive elements are exposed to high temperature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem compactnessVSAvoidprotection of temperature-sensitive elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent nests the thermal barrier layer within the regulator structure, creating a protected zone for the diaphragm inside the hot air path. This allows the regulator to be compact and integrated with the valve while the diaphragm remains thermally protected within the nested barrier structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

This approach enables a compact system where all elements remain close to the pneumatic actuator, effectively cooling temperature-sensitive components, reducing specific fuel consumption by approximately one-third, and improving reliability without the need for additional ventilation systems.

Implementation Method 1

a pipe for guiding the cold source to said diaphragm, so that the cold source forms the reference pressure source and a source for cooling said diaphragm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the cold source has a much lower temperature and is in motion (therefore with a non-negligible part dynamic pressure), which allows ventilation improving the cooling of the diaphragm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDynamic pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS20220261018A1Vented diaphragm regulator

Publication Date: 2022.08.18 LIEBHERR AEROSPACE TOULOUSE

AI summary

The invention relates to a regulator, configured to receive a stream of hot air carrying pneumatic power via an air inlet (12), to treat this hot air and to send the treated hot air to an air outlet (14) configured 5 to supply a pneumatic actuator (16), comprising a reference pressure source and an air expansion device comprising a diaphragm (22), the diaphragm (22) being configured to control the flow rate of the hot air stream by comparing the pressure of said hot air stream with the reference pressure of the reference pressure source. The regulator is characterized in that it 10 comprises an air intake (24) configured to receive a cold source, and a pipe (25) for guiding the cold source to the diaphragm (22), so that the cold source forms the reference pressure source and a source for cooling the diaphragm (22).