VENTED DIAPHRAGM REGULATOR

Abstract

The invention relates to a regulator, configured to receive a stream of hot air carrying pneumatic power via an air inlet (12), to treat this hot air and to send the treated hot air to an air outlet (14) configured 5 to supply a pneumatic actuator (16), comprising a reference pressure source and an air expansion device comprising a diaphragm (22), the diaphragm (22) being configured to control the flow rate of the hot air stream by comparing the pressure of said hot air stream with the reference pressure of the reference pressure source. The regulator is characterized in that it 10 comprises an air intake (24) configured to receive a cold source, and a pipe (25) for guiding the cold source to the diaphragm (22), so that the cold source forms the reference pressure source and a source for cooling the diaphragm (22).

Claims

1. A regulator, configured to receive a stream of hot air carrying pneumatic power via an air inlet, to treat the hot air and to send the treated hot air to an air outlet configured to supply a pneumatic actuator, comprising: a reference pressure source and an air expansion device comprising a diaphragm, said diaphragm being configured to control the flow rate of the hot air stream by comparing the pressure of said hot air stream with the reference pressure of the reference pressure source, wherein the regulator comprises an air intake configured to receive a cold source, and a pipe for guiding the cold source to said diaphragm, so that the cold source forms the reference pressure source and a source for cooling said diaphragm.

2. The regulator according to claim 1, further comprising at least one temperature-sensitive mechanical and/or electronic element arranged upstream or downstream of the diaphragm and pipes allowing the cold source to be guided toward said at least one temperature-sensitive mechanical and/or electronic element the cold source allowing the cooling of said at least one temperature-sensitive mechanical and/or electronic element upstream or downstream of the cooling of the diaphragm.

3. The regulator according to claim 2, wherein characterized in that each temperature-sensitive mechanical and/or electronic element is selected from the group consisting of: a solenoid, mechanical and/or electronic component of a torque motor, mechanical and/or electronic component of a servo-valve.

4. The regulator according to one claim 1 wherein the cold source is taken from a turbomachine.

5. The regulator according to claim 4, wherein the cold source is fan air taken from the turbomachine.

6. The regulator according to claim 4, wherein the cold source is primary engine air taken from the turbomachine.

7. A valve actuated by a pneumatic actuator, comprising: a-regulator configured to supply said pneumatic actuator, the regulator comprising a reference pressure source and an air expansion device comprising a diaphragm, said diaphragm being configured to control a flow rate of a hot air stream by comparing a pressure of said hot air stream with the reference pressure of the reference pressure source, wherein the regulator comprises an air intake configured to receive a cold source, and a pipe for guiding the cold source to said diaphragm, so that the cold source forms the reference pressure source and a source for cooling said diaphragm.

8. An aircraft comprising at least one turbomachine and comprising: a regulator comprising a reference pressure source and an air expansion device comprising a diaphragm, said diaphragm being configured to control a flow rate of a hot air stream by comparing a pressure of said hot air stream with the reference pressure of the reference pressure source, wherein the regulator comprises an air intake configured to receive a cold source, and a pipe for guiding the cold source to said diaphragm, so that the cold source forms the reference pressure source and a source for cooling said diaphragm, and at least one channel making it possible to guide fan air from the turbomachine toward the diaphragm of the regulator expansion device, the fan air of the turbomachine thus forming the cold source and the reference pressure source of the diaphragm.

Description

LIST OF FIGURES

[0032] Further aims, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following description, which is provided solely by way of a non-limiting example, and which refers to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a regulator according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a regulator according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an expansion device of a regulator according to an embodiment of the invention

[0036] FIG. 4 is a simplified schematic view of an air conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a simplified schematic view of an air conditioning system according to a second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0038] For the sake of illustration and clarity, scales and proportions are not strictly adhered to in the figures.

Moreover, identical, similar or analogous elements are denoted using the same reference signs throughout the figures.

[0039] FIG. 1 illustrates a regulator 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The regulator 10 is configured to receive a stream of hot air carrying pneumatic power via an air inlet 12, to treat this hot air and to send the treated hot air to an air outlet 14 configured to supply a pneumatic actuator 16. The treatment is carried out inside a regulator body 18.

[0040] The hot air stream here comes from a pipe 20 in which hot air circulates.

[0041] The hot air is then treated by an air expansion device, here shown schematically by its diaphragm 22, and described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3. The air expansion device, owing to its diaphragm 22, treats the stream of hot air entering through the air inlet 12. In particular, the diaphragm 22 is configured to control the flow rate of the hot air stream by comparing the pressure of the hot air stream with the pressure of a reference source, coming from an intake 24 of the reference source and led by a pipe 25. Once the reference source has passed through the diaphragm, it joins an air outlet 26, which can be connected to other systems or directly connected to the ambient air.

[0042] The diaphragm 22 is in contact with the hot air stream and thus undergoes strong thermal stresses that can damage it or alter its technical characteristics. The diaphragm 22 is therefore a temperature-sensitive mechanical element. In a prior art system, the reference pressure source is generally ambient air with ambient pressure. In an aircraft, the ambient air is generally hot due to the location of the regulator, and the ambient air has no dynamic component in its pressure.

[0043] In the invention, as shown schematically in this embodiment, the pressure source is at a temperature below the ambient air, and is a dynamic pressure source that allows the diaphragm to be effectively cooled and ventilated by directing the pressure source toward the diaphragm 22.

[0044] FIG. 2 schematically shows a regulator according to a second embodiment of the invention. The elements already described with reference to FIG. 1 bear the same reference and have the same functions.

[0045] This second embodiment allows the recovery of the air coming from the pressure source, after cooling of the diaphragm 22, in order to cool and ventilate one or more temperature-sensitive mechanical or electrical elements, for example here a solenoid 28, configured to open or close a flap 30 controlling the distribution of the air treated by the expansion device to supply the pneumatic actuator 16. The air cooling and ventilating the solenoid 28 can then supply other temperature-sensitive mechanical or electronic elements (not shown), then be discharged through the air outlet 26 toward the ambient air.

[0046] The solenoid 28 can thus be placed directly near the flap 30 that it controls, without the need to be moved elsewhere. It is controlled by a control device 34 that can be remote from it, for example forming part of the onboard computers of an aircraft.

[0047] In this embodiment, the air leaving the pneumatic actuator is guided by a pipe 36 toward the pipe 20 in which hot air circulates.

FIG. 3 schematically shows an air expansion device 100 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0048] The air expansion device 100 comprises a piston 102 moving longitudinally along an axis 104 as a function of the respective pressures of a first chamber 106 and of a second chamber 108, separated by the diaphragm 22. The piston is constrained in position by a spring 110.

[0049] The air expansion device 100 compares the pressure of the hot air carrying pneumatic power present in the first chamber 106 with the pressure of the reference pressure source in the second chamber 108. The pressure difference allows the movement of the diaphragm, which, by moving, drives the piston, allowing the circulation of the hot air carrying pneumatic power present in the third chamber 112 toward an outlet 114 allowing the transmission of the air in the direction of the pneumatic actuator (in a regulator as described previously with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2).

The first chamber 106 and the third chamber 112, receiving hot air carrying pneumatic power, are connected by a connection 120.

[0050] The reference pressure source is in motion, entering through an air inlet 116 and exiting through an air outlet 118, thus allowing cooling and ventilation of the diaphragm as it passes. The air leaving through the air outlet 118 is either directly discharged to the ambient air, as in the first embodiment of the regulator described with reference to FIG. 1, or is used to cool and ventilate other temperature-sensitive elements, as in the second embodiment of the regulator described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0051] FIGS. 4 and 5 show, schematically and in a simplified manner, an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the invention, installed in an aircraft and comprising a regulator according to one of the embodiments described above.

[0052] The aircraft comprises a turbomachine, in particular a turbojet 200, shown in a simplified manner, comprising a fan 202 allowing the formation of two air streams, a primary air stream 204 intended to be compressed and then injected into a combustion chamber 206, and a secondary air stream 208 circulating around the part of the turbojet 200 treating the primary air stream 204.

[0053] This secondary air stream, which is cold because it comes from the outside air entering the turbojet and having a dynamic pressure generated by the fan 202, forms fan air, so named because it is set in motion by the fan.

In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4, this fan air is collected via a channel 210 leading to the regulator 10. The fan air thus collected serves as a reference pressure source for the regulator 10 and makes it possible to cool and ventilate the diaphragm, the solenoid and/or any electronic or mechanical elements sensitive to the desired temperature.

[0054] According to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the reference pressure source forming a cold source is the primary air stream 204, which is collected via a channel 310 leading to the regulator. The primary air thus collected serves as a reference pressure source for the regulator 10 and makes it possible to cool and ventilate the diaphragm, the solenoid and/or any electronic or mechanical elements sensitive to the desired temperature.

[0055] According to other embodiments not described, the reference pressure source comes from another air stream of the aircraft, or from a mixture of several air streams of the aircraft, for example a mixture of fan air and primary air.

The regulator 10 is advantageously integrated into an air conditioning system 212 intended to condition the air in the cabin 214 of the aircraft, for example to control a pneumatic actuator making it possible to activate a valve of the air conditioning system 212.

[0056] The regulator can also be used in systems other than an air conditioning system, in particular any system that uses primary air such as relief valves, for example.