U.S. patent application number 13/252898 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-10 for aircraft potable water system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Goodrich Corporation. Invention is credited to John A. Harr, Martin Lei, Bryan J. Mackulin.
Application Number | 20120111432 13/252898 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45524298 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120111432 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Harr; John A. ; et
al. |
May 10, 2012 |
AIRCRAFT POTABLE WATER SYSTEM
Abstract
An aircraft potable water system (20) comprises outlet
facilities (30) and a recirculation path (40) that supplies potable
water thereto. The system (20) can operate in a high-usage
condition whereat recirculation through path (40) is temporarily
interrupted, thereby permitting supply water pressure to remain
relatively high despite water being quickly tapped therefrom.
Inventors: |
Harr; John A.; (Minerva,
OH) ; Lei; Martin; (Canal Fulton, OH) ;
Mackulin; Bryan J.; (Akron, OH) |
Assignee: |
Goodrich Corporation
Charlotte
NC
|
Family ID: |
45524298 |
Appl. No.: |
13/252898 |
Filed: |
October 4, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61412365 |
Nov 10, 2010 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
137/590 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 137/86348 20150401;
B64D 11/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
137/590 |
International
Class: |
E03B 11/00 20060101
E03B011/00 |
Claims
1. An aircraft potable water system comprising at an outlet
facility for selectively dispensing potable water, and a
recirculation path that supplies water to the outlet facility;
wherein the system is convertible between a normal-usage condition,
whereat water circulation through the recirculation path is
constant and continuous, and a high-usage condition, whereat water
circulation is temporarily interrupted.
2. An aircraft potable water system as set forth in claim 1,
comprising a plurality of outlet facilities and wherein the
recirculation path supplies water to the plurality of outlet
facilities.
3. An aircraft potable water system as set forth in claim 2,
wherein the outlet facilities are adapted for ice-making,
showering, teeth brushing, dish washing, cooking, coffee brewing,
and/or toilet flushing.
4. An aircraft potable water system as set forth in claim 1,
wherein the conversion between the normal-usage condition and the
high-usage condition is accomplished with a usage-condition
appliance.
5. An aircraft potable water system as set forth in claim 4,
wherein the usage-condition appliance comprises a valve movable to
at least two positions, the first position corresponding to the
normal-usage condition and the second position corresponding to the
high-usage condition.
6. An aircraft potable water system as set forth in claim 5,
wherein the valve is an electric valve.
7. An aircraft potable water system as set forth in claim 6,
wherein the electric valve is a motorized valve.
8. An aircraft potable water system as set forth in claim 7,
wherein movement is approximately 90.degree. between the two
positions.
9. An aircraft potable water system as set forth in claim 4,
wherein the usage-condition appliance is merged with
tank-fill-purge functions.
10. An aircraft potable water system as set forth in claim 9,
wherein the appliance is convertible to a condition corresponding
to the tank-fill-purge functions.
11. An aircraft potable water system as set forth in claim 1,
wherein the system automatically converts between the normal-usage
condition and the high-usage condition based on water flow rate to
the outlet facilities.
12. An aircraft potable water system as set forth in claim 11,
further comprising a detector that provides input regarding water
consumption at the outlet facilities and wherein the system
automatically converts between the normal-usage condition and the
high-usage condition based on this input.
13. An aircraft potable water system as set forth in claim 12,
wherein the detector is a transducer having an output signal
proportional to water pressure in the recirculation path.
14. An aircraft potable water system as set forth in claim 12,
wherein input from the detector causes a valve to convert between
the normal-usage condition and the high-usage condition.
15. An aircraft potable water system as set forth in claim 4,
comprising a controller that instructs the appliance to convert
between the normal-usage condition and the high-usage
condition.
16. An aircraft potable water system as set forth in claim 15,
wherein the controller receives input from a detector and instructs
the appliance based on this input.
17. An aircraft potable water system as set forth in claim 15,
wherein the controller instructs a valve to move between
normal-usage and high-usage positions.
18. An aircraft potable water system as set forth in claim 1,
further comprising a timer that returns the system from its
high-usage condition to its normal-usage condition after a
predetermined period of time regardless of water flow rate to the
outlet facilities.
19. An aircraft potable water system as set forth in claim 1,
wherein the recirculation water path incorporates a storage tank, a
pump, delivery plumbing connecting the pump discharge to the outlet
facilities, and return plumbing connecting the delivery line to the
storage tank.
20. An aircraft with the potable water system set forth in claim 19
installed thereon.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 USC .sctn.119(e)
to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/412,365 filed on Nov.
10, 2010. The entire disclosure of this provisional patent
application is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] An aircraft potable water system typically supplies water to
cabin outlet facilities for selective dispensing therefrom by crew
and passengers. These uses can include, for example, ice-making,
showering, teeth brushing, dish washing, cooking, coffee brewing,
and/or toilet flushing. A potable water system can be designed so
that water is continuously circulated through a recirculation
path.
SUMMARY
[0003] An aircraft potable water system is convertible between a
normal-usage condition and a high-usage condition. In the
normal-usage condition, water is continuously circulated through a
recirculation path. In the high-usage condition, water
recirculation is temporarily interrupted to ensure that outlet
facilities are still provided with adequate flow rates. The potable
water system is thereby able to accommodate a wide range of water
flow rates without having to increase pump performance
parameters.
DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 schematically shows an aircraft with a potable water
system installed thereon.
[0005] FIGS. 2-4 are diagrams of a potable water system in a
normal-usage condition, a high-usage condition, and a
tank-fill-purge condition, respectively.
DESCRIPTION
[0006] Referring now to the drawings, and initially to FIG. 1, an
aircraft 10 with a potable water system 20 is shown. The system 20
includes outlet facilities 30 and a recirculation water path 40
that supplies potable water thereto. Passengers and crew can
selectively dispense potable water from the outlet facilities 30
for purposes such as, ice-making, showering, teeth brushing, dish
washing, cooking, coffee brewing, toilet flushing, etc.
[0007] Referring additionally to FIG. 2, the recirculation water
path 40 incorporates a storage tank 41, a pump 42, delivery
plumbing 43 connecting the pump discharge to the outlet facilities
30, and return plumbing 44 connecting the delivery line 43 to the
storage tank 41. When the aircraft 10 is grounded and the system 20
is off (i.e., the outlet facilities 30 are not serviceable), the
storage tank 41 is filled with potable water. When the system 20 is
on (i.e., the outlet facilities 30 are serviceable), water is
periodically is tapped from the delivery plumbing 43 at the outlet
facilities 30, and untapped water is returned to the storage tank
41, via the return plumbing 44.
[0008] The storage tank 41 can have a capacity corresponding to the
aircraft's potable water prerequisite and/or its fill frequency.
The tank 41 can have any suitable size/shape and it can be situated
at any appropriate site within the aircraft 10. And although only
one tank 41 is shown in the drawings, tanks arranged in tandem may
also be a feasible and fitting arrangement.
[0009] The pump 42 can be any conveying device that is capable of
providing the outlet facilities 30 with an appropriate water flow
rate (e.g., at least 1 gallon per minute or at least 4 liters per
minute, at least 2 gallons per minute or at least 7 liters per
minute, and/or at least 3 gallons per minute or at least 11 liters
per minute) and an acceptable water pressure (e.g., at least 10
psig or at least 0.7 bar, at least 15 psig or at least 1 bar, at
least 20 psig or at least 1.4 bar, and/or at least 25 psig or at
least 1.7 bar). A motor driven centrifugal pump will often serve as
a competent candidate for this commission. A plural pump setup, for
impel purposes and/or redundancy reasons, is possible and
contemplated.
[0010] The delivery plumbing 43 and the return plumbing 44 can be
any combination of conduits that accordingly conveys water through
the recirculation path 40. This plumbing and/or these conduits can
be formed from, for example, hose assemblies having Teflon.RTM.
tubes, silicone liners, and stainless steel fittings. While the
plumbing 43/44 can and may integrate heaters, they might not be
necessary in the recirculation path 40 due to the substantially
continuous movement of water therein.
[0011] The recirculation water path 40 can also incorporate a flow
restrictor 45 in its return plumbing 44 (and thus downstream of the
outlet facilities 30 and upstream of the storage tank 41). This
device 45 (e.g., an orifice) can be provided for the purpose of
maintaining system pressure and a desired pressure drop. In some
systems, the return plumbing 44 may itself perform this function
whereby the restrictor 45 may not be necessary.
[0012] The water path 40 further incorporates a usage-condition
appliance 50 that allows the system 20 to operate in a normal-usage
condition and a high-usage condition. While the illustrated
appliance 50 is merged with tank-filling-purging functions, a
separate usage-condition appliance is equally plausible and
presumed. Additionally or alternatively, other undertakings of the
potable water system 20 and/or the aircraft 10 can be combined with
the appliance 50.
[0013] The usage-condition appliance 50 can comprise a valve
movable to at least two positions and/or having at least two ports.
The valve can be an electrical valve, for example, which moves in
response to electrical activation (e.g., a solenoid valve or a
motorized valve). The illustrated appliance 50 comprises a
motorized valve that is movable to three positions and has three
ports.
[0014] The appliance 50 is shown in its normal-usage condition in
FIG. 2. During normal-usage situations, water in the return
plumbing 44 is routed back to the storage tank 41 and the
recirculation cycle is repeated. A normal-usage state corresponds
to circumstances wherein water is being dispensed at a relatively
low rate (including not at all) from the outlet facilities 30.
[0015] The appliance 50 is shown in its high-usage condition in
FIG. 3. In this condition, recirculation is temporarily interrupted
so that water pressure in the supply plumbing 43 remains relatively
high despite liquid being quickly tapped therefrom.
[0016] A high-usage-condition conversion can be accomplished, for
example, by briefly blocking the route of the back to the storage
tank 41. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the appliance
valve 50 is moved to a closed position. In any event, the potable
water system 20 is able to adapt to such high-usage situations
without an increase pump performance parameters. This can translate
into lower capital costs for the system 20, reduced power draw
during system operation, lighter weights, and/or more compact
packaging
[0017] The ability of the system 20 to convert to a high-usage
condition facilitates passenger enjoyment at an outlet facility 30
regardless of the occupancy of other facilities. For example,
faucet flow will be fulfilling and shower downpour will be
pleasing. And such a high-usage conversion feature can help ensure
that the minimum pressure requirements of facility-correlated
equipment (e.g., coffee brewers, toilet flushers, etc.) will always
be met.
[0018] The high-usage condition corresponds to circumstances
wherein water is being tapped at high rate from the outlet
facilities 30. Depending upon the aircraft 10 and its potable water
system 20, this could occur upon the sole use of a high-volume
facility 30 (e.g., a shower) or upon simultaneous use of multiple
facilities 30. The potable water system 20 can be designed so that
high-usage conditions are the exception, rather than the rule.
[0019] If tank-fill-purge functions are merged into the appliance
50, as shown, it can also assume the third condition shown in FIG.
4. In this condition, water from an exterior line 60 is connected
to the storage tank 41 for filling and/or purging of the
recirculation path 40. Valves and/or other flow-control devices,
not shown in the drawings, are commonly activated during filling
and purging procedures.
[0020] The potable water system 20 can additionally comprise a
controller 70 to automatically convert the appliance 50 to the
appropriate condition. The controller 70 can include, for example,
a detector 71 that supplies information regarding the water flow
rate within the supply plumbing 43 via input line 72. Based on this
detection, the controller 70 can instruct the appliance 50
accordingly via instruction line 73.
[0021] The detector 71 can comprise, for example, a pressure
transducer in the recirculation path 43 such as is shown in the
drawings. The output signal of the illustrated transducer would be
proportional to water pressure within the delivery plumbing 43. A
detected drop in pressure would be indicative of a high-usage
situation, whereby the appliance 50 could be instructed to convert
to its high-usage condition.
[0022] The detector 71 can instead or additionally comprise other
detection devices that monitor water use of outlet facilities 30.
These can take the form of, for example, mat monitors, tambour door
trackers, or other switches that can perceive potable water
consumption.
[0023] In most circumstances, the appliance 50 will be intended to
remain in its normal-usage condition for a majority of its use
time. As the high-usage condition interrupts recirculation, it can
be conserved for use only during brief high-usage times. To this
end, the controller 70 can include a timer 74 that converts the
appliance 50 to its normal-usage condition after a predetermined
period of time (e.g., less than 30 minutes, less than 20 minutes,
less than 15 minutes, and/or less than 10 minutes). This
timer-activated conversion can occur regardless of the input of the
detector 71.
[0024] Other components, not shown in the drawings, will
characteristically be included in the recirculation path 40. Water
filters and purifiers will commonly reside within supply plumbing
43 and/or return plumbing 44. Valves and other flow-control devices
will typically occupy many locations throughout a potable water
system 20 to address abnormal operating situations.
[0025] Although the aircraft 10, the potable water system 20, the
outlet facilities 30, the recirculation path 40, the appliance 50,
the exterior line 60, and/or the controller 70 have been shown and
described with respect to a certain embodiment or embodiments, it
is obvious that equivalent alterations and modifications will occur
to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of
this specification and the annexed drawings.
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