Venturi Pipe Water Supply System for Aircraft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water supply systems for passenger transport vehicles, such as aircraft, are heavy and require high maintenance due to the use of mechanical shut-off elements, which are inefficient for both water replenishment and distribution processes.
Innovation Solution
A water supply system utilizing a Venturi pipe arrangement with a first and second Venturi nozzle terminal and a branch, where the Venturi pipe is configured to create negative pressure during filling to prevent water from flowing into undesired branches, and allows reverse flow during distribution to maximize flow cross-section, along with a UV light generator for disinfection and a particle trap to filter out particles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical shut-off elements are used to control water flow paths during replenishment and distribution, then reliable flow control is achieved, but the system becomes heavier and requires higher maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes mechanical shut-off elements from the water supply system entirely. Instead, it uses the Venturi effect created by water flow itself to generate negative pressure at the branch connection, which passively prevents water from entering undesired pipe branches during replenishment. This extraction of mechanical components directly reduces system weight and maintenance requirements while maintaining flow control reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the kinetic energy of the flowing water itself to create the negative pressure needed for flow control. The Venturi pipe arrangement converts water flow velocity into pressure differential, allowing the water flow to automatically direct itself along the correct path without external mechanical intervention. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for heavy mechanical shut-off elements.
2Reliability
If mechanical shut-off elements are used to control water flow paths, then reliable flow control is achieved, but maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts mechanical shut-off elements from the system, eliminating the maintenance burden associated with moving parts, seals, and mechanical actuation mechanisms. The Venturi pipe arrangement has no moving parts, making it maintenance-free while maintaining reliable flow path control through passive pressure differential management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical shut-off element system with a fluid dynamic system based on the Venturi effect. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear, friction, and actuation failures, thereby reducing maintenance requirements while maintaining the ability to control water flow paths reliably during both replenishment and distribution operations.
3Reliability
If water flows through the Venturi pipe during filling to create negative pressure at the branch, then water is prevented from flowing into undesired branches, but the flow path must be carefully controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The Venturi pipe arrangement serves multiple functions: it creates negative pressure to prevent water from entering undesired branches during replenishment, it allows water to flow freely to the reservoir, and it integrates into the existing pipe system without requiring separate control mechanisms. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining reliable flow path control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically directs water flow based on the operational mode (replenishment or distribution) without requiring external control. During replenishment, water flow through the Venturi pipe automatically creates negative pressure to close the branch. During distribution, the natural pressure gradient reverses the flow direction, opening the branch automatically. This self-service flow control reduces mechanical complexity.
4Productivity
If the Venturi pipe is designed to create negative pressure during filling, then water flow to the reservoir is maximized, but flow cross-section during distribution must be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The Venturi pipe is designed with specific geometric parameters (convergence angle, throat area, divergence angle) that create the optimal balance between negative pressure generation during filling and flow cross-section during distribution. By carefully selecting these parameters, the single pipe design achieves both high filling speed and efficient distribution flow without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The Venturi pipe design simultaneously optimizes for both filling and distribution operations. The geometric parameters are chosen to create sufficient negative pressure during high-flow filling while maintaining adequate flow cross-section during lower-flow distribution. This universal design approach eliminates the need for separate optimization mechanisms for each operational mode, reducing overall device complexity.
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 reduces maintenance and weight by eliminating the need for heavy mechanical shut-off elements, ensuring reliable and efficient water flow during both filling and distribution, while maintaining effective disinfection and particle filtration.
Implementation Method 1
water flows through the Venturi pipe from the first Venturi nozzle terminal to the second Venturi nozzle terminal when the water reservoir is filled, and wherein water flows through the Venturi pipe from the second Venturi nozzle terminal to the Venturi nozzle branch during a supply process
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Water supply system, comprising a first pipe, a water reservoir, and a Venturi pipe having a first Venturi nozzle terminal, a second Venturi nozzle terminal and a Venturi nozzle branch arranged between the first and second Venturi nozzle terminal, wherein the first Venturi nozzle terminal is connected via the first pipe to the water reservoir, wherein the first Venturi nozzle terminal is connectable to a second pipe to fill the water reservoir, wherein the branch of the Venturi pipe is connectable to a third pipe to supply taps, wherein water flows through the Venturi pipe from the first Venturi nozzle terminal to the second Venturi nozzle terminal when the water reservoir is filled, and water flows through the Venturi pipe from the second Venturi nozzle terminal to the Venturi nozzle branch during the supply procedure, to provide a water supply system which requires less maintenance and is less temperamental.