Device and an aircraft anti-icing system comprising such a device

• US 7,909,261 B2
• Filed: 06/16/2006
• Issued: 03/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Saab AB
• Original Assignee: Saab AB
• Inventors: Ellström, Hans, Bergman, Mats
• Primary Examiner(s): Dinh; Tien
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bonzell; Philip J
• Application Number:
  US11/424,544
• Publication Number:
  US 20070084969A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,740 Days
• Field of Search: 244/134.R, 244/134.C, 137/893, 236/12.11, 236/12.12, 236/12.6, 236/12.17, 60/390.93, 239/135
• US Class Current: 236/12.11
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 15/04 Hot gas application
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2033/0233 comprising de-icing means
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 7/047 Heating to prevent icing
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/60 Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft

Abstract

A device including a primary fluid inlet, a secondary fluid inlet, a mixing chamber connected to the primary fluid inlet via en ejector nozzle and to the secondary fluid inlet, a fluid outlet connected to the mixing chamber for outflow of gas from the mixing a chamber, a valve arrangement having a valve member arranged to influence the secondary fluid inlet so as to adjust the amount of gas entering the mixing chamber from the secondary fluid inlet and a a temperature-dependent regulator connected to the valve arrangement for controlling the position of the valve member and thereby the amount of gas entering the mixing chamber from the secondary fluid inlet in dependence upon the temperature of the gas flowing through the primary fluid inlet or the fluid outlet. An aircraft anti-icing system including such a device and the use thereof.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

a primary fluid inlet configured to be connected to a source of pressurized hot gas;

a secondary fluid inlet arranged around an end of the primary fluid inlet, the secondary fluid inlet being configured to be connected to a source of gas having a lower temperature than a temperature of said pressurized hot gas;

a mixing chamber connected to the primary fluid inlet and to the secondary fluid inlet so as to allow inflow of gas into the mixing chamber directly from said fluid inlets;

a fluid outlet connected to the mixing chamber for outflow of gas from the mixing chamber;

an ejector nozzle comprising a constriction of the primary fluid inlet arranged at the end of the primary fluid inlet, the ejector nozzle being configured to introduce gas from the primary fluid inlet into the mixing chamber, the ejector nozzle being designed to allow gas from the secondary fluid inlet to be drawn into the mixing chamber by an ejector effect caused by pressurized hot gas entering the mixing chamber from the primary fluid inlet through the ejector nozzle;

a valve arrangement comprising a valve member surrounding a portion of the primary fluid inlet and a portion of the ejector nozzle, the valve arrangement being arranged to influence the secondary fluid inlet so as to adjust an amount of gas entering the mixing chamber from the secondary fluid inlet; and

a temperature-dependent regulator connected to the valve arrangement, the temperature-dependent regulator being configured to control a position of the valve member and thereby the amount of gas entering the mixing chamber from the secondary fluid inlet in dependence upon the temperature of the pressurized hot gas flowing through the primary fluid inlet or the temperature of the gas flowing through the fluid outlet.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the valve arrangement comprises a base member supporting the valve member, and wherein said base member is displaceably mounted on a pipe forming part of the primary fluid inlet or the fluid outlet.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the valve member is moveable between open position, in which the valve member allows fluid flow through the secondary fluid inlet, and closed position, in which the valve member obstructs the secondary fluid inlet.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the regulator is arranged to keep the valve member in closed position as long as said temperature is below a predetermined limit temperature and to make the valve member assume open position when said temperature exceeds the predetermined limit temperature.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the valve member is cylindrically shaped and axially displaceable to and fro between a closed and an open position.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the cylindrically shaped valve member is coaxial with the ejector nozzle.

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein the cylindrically shaped valve member extends about the ejector nozzle.

8. The device according to claim 5, wherein the secondary fluid inlet comprises a ring-shaped flow opening for gas to be introduced into the mixing chamber from the secondary fluid inlet, and wherein the cylindrically shaped valve member is arranged to obstruct the ring-shaped flow opening when in the closed position and allow fluid flow through the ring-shaped flow opening when in the open position.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the ring-shaped flow opening extends about the ejector nozzle.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the regulator comprises a regulating element which is connected to the valve arrangement and arranged to be influenced by the temperature of the pressurized hot gas flowing through the primary fluid inlet or the temperature of the gas flowing through the fluid outlet so as to control the position of the valve member by changing shape in dependence upon said temperature.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the regulating element comprises bimetallic material.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the regulating element comprises a bimetallic strip helically wound about the primary fluid inlet or the fluid outlet.

13. The device according to claim 11, wherein the bimetallic regulating element is arranged in a space into which gas is diverted from the primary fluid inlet or the fluid outlet.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein said space is located inside the base member.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the regulator comprises:

a sensor for sensing the temperature of the pressurized hot gas flowing through the primary fluid inlet or the temperature of the gas flowing through the fluid outlet;

a control unit connected to the sensor; and

a regulating member connected to the control unit and arranged to control the position of the valve member;

wherein the control unit is arranged to control the regulating member and thereby the position of the valve member in dependence upon the temperature sensed by the sensor.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the regulating member comprises an adjustment motor.