Aircraft Wing Ice Mitigation via Bladder Heat Exchanger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchange systems for aircraft are inefficient, heavy, and aerodynamically inhibiting, and ice mitigation systems add weight, cost, and complexity, failing to concurrently dissipate heat and prevent ice formation effectively.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchange system comprising a bladder with opposing thin-walled sheets and a fluid flow conduit, coupled to a heat source, which transfers fluid to dissipate heat and mitigate ice formation on aircraft wings by using a fluid transmission system that cycles heat transfer fluid between the heat source and the heat exchanger.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional heat exchange systems are used to dissipate heat, then heat dissipation is achieved, but the system becomes large, heavy, and aerodynamically inhibiting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heat dissipation function and ice mitigation function into a single integrated heat exchanger system. The same fluid circulation system that removes heat from the aircraft also provides heating to prevent ice formation on wings, eliminating the need for separate systems and reducing overall weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it dissipates heat from the aircraft and provides ice protection on wing surfaces. This multi-functional approach replaces conventional single-objective systems, reducing weight and improving aerodynamic performance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional ice mitigation systems are added to aircraft, then ice formation is prevented, but weight, cost, power consumption, and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ice mitigation function into the existing heat exchange system. The same fluid circulation infrastructure used for thermal management is leveraged to provide ice protection, eliminating the need for separate ice mitigation subsystems and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger system serves itself by using its own fluid circulation capability to provide both heat dissipation and ice protection functions. The system utilizes its inherent thermal management infrastructure to simultaneously address ice mitigation without requiring additional dedicated systems.
3Temperature
If conventional heat exchange systems are used, then heat dissipation is achieved, but the system is inefficient and aerodynamically inhibiting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates heat dissipation and ice mitigation into a single aerodynamically optimized heat exchanger system. This unified approach improves efficiency by eliminating redundant components and reducing aerodynamic drag, thereby enhancing overall system performance.
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 efficiently dissipates heat and prevents ice formation on aircraft wings, reducing weight, cost, and complexity while maintaining aerodynamic performance.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger at the leading edge of each of the wings... a fluid transmission system coupled to the heat source and the heat exchanger. The fluid transmission system is operable to transfer fluid from the heat source to the heat exchanger and from the heat exchanger to the heat source
Implementation Method 2
The heat energy in the heat transfer fluid housed in the heat diffuser is transferred to the convex surface of the second heat diffuser side and prevents and/or melts ice build-up
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A system comprises a heat source. The system also comprises a bladder comprising opposing thin-walled sheets and a fluid flow conduit defined between the opposing thin-walled sheets. The fluid flow conduit comprises an inlet and an outlet. The system further comprises a first fluid line coupled to the heat source and the inlet of the bladder. The system additionally comprises a second fluid line coupled to the heat source and the outlet of the bladder. The system also comprises fluid flowable through the first fluid line from the heat source to the inlet, from the inlet through the fluid flow conduit to the outlet, and through the second fluid line from the outlet to the heat source.