Wave Pattern Fuel Plates for Aircraft Deoxygenation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel stabilization units for aircraft are costly and prone to mechanical damage due to thin permeable membranes, leading to inefficiencies in deoxygenation and potential fuel leakage, which can result in coking and impaired fuel system performance.
Innovation Solution
A deoxygenation system utilizing a wave pattern configuration of fuel plates, oxygen permeable membranes, and porous substrate plates with a vacuum frame to maintain an oxygen concentration differential, enhancing surface area contact and turbulence for improved deoxygenation efficiency while minimizing membrane damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If planar fuel plates are used, then manufacturing efficiency is improved and cost is reduced, but the thin permeable membrane lacks mechanical integrity and is prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by transitioning from flat planar plates to three-dimensional wave-patterned plates. The wave configuration provides rounded surfaces and edges that eliminate sharp corners, thereby preventing mechanical damage to the thin permeable membrane while maintaining manufacturing efficiency. The curved wave structure distributes mechanical stresses more evenly across the membrane surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The wave pattern configuration acts as a protective cushioning structure for the thin permeable membrane. The three-dimensional wave form provides a buffer zone that absorbs mechanical stresses and prevents direct contact between sharp edges and the membrane, thereby protecting the membrane from damage before failure can occur.
2Weight of stationary object
If planar fuel plates are used, then device size and weight are reduced, but fuel turbulence is insufficient for optimal deoxygenation
Solution Approach 1:
The wave-patterned plates introduce three-dimensional curvature and undulating surfaces that disrupt laminar flow and generate fuel turbulence. This enhanced mixing improves deoxygenation efficiency by increasing mass transfer rates, while the compact wave structure maintains lightweight construction compared to larger planar plate configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional planar plates to three-dimensional wave-patterned plates, adding a vertical dimension to the plate structure. This dimensional change creates flow path variations and turbulence without significantly increasing overall system weight, thereby improving deoxygenation productivity while maintaining lightweight design.
3Device complexity
If planar fuel plates are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but sharp edges may damage the oxygen permeable membranes
Solution Approach 1:
The wave pattern configuration replaces sharp edges with rounded, curved surfaces throughout the plate structure. This eliminates the harmful sharp edges that could damage the permeable membrane while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing through standard wave-forming processes. The curved geometry provides inherent protection against mechanical damage.
4Weight of stationary object
If membrane thickness is reduced to minimize weight, then system weight is reduced, but mechanical integrity and resistance to fuel seepage decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The wave pattern configuration provides a protective cushioning effect that compensates for the reduced membrane thickness. By distributing mechanical stresses across the three-dimensional wave structure and preventing direct edge contact, the wave pattern enables the use of thinner, lighter membranes while maintaining their integrity and resistance to fuel seepage through enhanced structural protection.
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 achieves efficient deoxygenation with increased turbulence and surface contact, reducing size and weight while maintaining performance, thus overcoming manufacturing challenges and improving fuel system reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of oxygen permeable membranes and porous substrate plates disposed within a housing. Each fuel plate defines a portion of the fuel passage and the porous plate backed permeable membranes define the remaining portions of the fuel passages
Implementation Method 2
The FSU includes a plurality of fuel plates sandwiched between permeable membranes and porous substrate plates disposed within a housing... produces an oxygen pressure gradient across a membrane permeable to oxygen
Implementation Method 3
The wave configuration enhances deoxygenation by increasing the efficiency and integrality due to a higher surface volume ratio, an increase of flow turbulence
Implementation Method 4
A sweep gas and/or vacuum maintains an oxygen concentration differential across the oxygen permeable membranes to deoxygenate the fuel
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A fuel system (10) for an energy conversion device includes a multiple of fuel plates (44), oxygen permeable membranes (36), porous substrate plates (42), and vacuum frame plates which define a wave pattern configuration. The wave configuration enhances deoxygenation by increasing the efficiency and integrality due to higher surface volume ration, increase of flow turbulence, and minimal sharp edges which may otherwise damage the oxygen permeable membranes (36) compared to other configurations.