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EP-4738046-A1 - PIEZOELECTRIC ACTUATOR CONTROLLED SMART FLOW REGULATOR FOR AIRCRAFT OXYGEN SYSTEMS

EP4738046A1EP 4738046 A1EP4738046 A1EP 4738046A1EP-4738046-A1

Abstract

A piezoelectric actuator controlled smart flow regulator (300) is provided. The piezoelectric actuator controlled smart flow regulator includes an inlet chamber (302) and an actuator chamber (304). The inlet chamber includes an inlet port (310). The actuator chamber includes an exit port (312), a sealing disc (316, 416), and at least one piezoelectric actuator (318). The at least one piezoelectric actuator is coupled to the sealing disc. In a deactivated state, the sealing disc is in contact with the inlet port such that oxygen is prevented from flowing through the actuator chamber. In an activated state, responsive to receiving a voltage, the at least one piezoelectric actuator is configured to restrict thereby translating a center of the sealing disc away from the inlet port and provide an oxygen flow through the inlet port to the exit port.

Inventors

  • SELVARAJ, SUGUMARAN
  • GOEKE, RALF

Assignees

  • B/E Aerospace, Inc.

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20251027

Claims (15)

  1. A piezoelectric actuator controlled smart flow regulator (300), the piezoelectric actuator controlled smart flow regulator comprising: an inlet chamber (302) comprising: an inlet port (310); and an actuator chamber (304) comprising: an exit port (312); a sealing disc (316, 416), wherein, in a deactivated state, the sealing disc is in contact with the inlet port such that oxygen is prevented from flowing through the actuator chamber; and at least one piezoelectric actuator (318) coupled to the sealing disc, wherein, in an activated state, responsive to receiving a voltage, the at least one piezoelectric actuator is configured to restrict thereby translating a center of the sealing disc away from the inlet port and provide an oxygen flow through the inlet port to the exit port.
  2. The piezoelectric actuator controlled smart flow regulator of claim 1, further comprising: a voltage supply (330), wherein the voltage supply is configured to provide the voltage to the at least one piezoelectric actuator (318).
  3. The piezoelectric actuator controlled smart flow regulator of claim 2, further comprising: a voltage controller (324), wherein the voltage controller is configured to provide a voltage signal to the voltage supply (330) indicating an amount of voltage to supply to the at least one piezoelectric actuator (318) based on at least a measured pressure.
  4. The piezoelectric actuator controlled smart flow regulator of claim 3, further comprising: an exit conduit (322), the exit conduit coupled to the exit port (312); and a pressure sensor (420), wherein the pressure sensor is configured to: measure a flow rate of the oxygen in the exit conduit coupled to the exit port; and provide a pressure signal of the measured pressure to the voltage controller (324).
  5. The piezoelectric actuator controlled smart flow regulator of claim 4, further comprising: a temperature sensor (426), wherein the temperature sensor is configured to: measure a temperature of the oxygen in the exit conduit (322) to account for oxygen flow rate variation thereby forming a measured temperature; and provide a temperature signal of the measured temperature to the voltage controller (324); and wherein the voltage controller is configured to provide the voltage signal to the voltage supply (330) indicating the amount of voltage to supply to the at least one piezoelectric actuator (318) based on at least the measured pressure and the measured temperature.
  6. The piezoelectric actuator controlled smart flow regulator of any preceding claim, wherein the sealing disc (316, 416) comprises: a first portion (416a); and a second portion (416b), wherein the second portion is coupled to the first portion, wherein the second portion is configured to seal the sealing disc to the inlet port (310, 410); and optionally wherein the first portion is coupled to an inner circumference of the actuator chamber (304).
  7. The piezoelectric actuator controlled smart flow regulator of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one piezoelectric actuator (318) is further coupled to an inner circumference of the actuator chamber (304) and/or wherein the at least one piezoelectric actuator (318) includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the at least one piezoelectric actuator is coupled to the sealing disc (316) via a first coupling mechanism (436), and wherein the second end of the at least one piezoelectric actuator is coupled to an opposing end of the actuator chamber (304) via a second coupling mechanism (438).
  8. The piezoelectric actuator controlled smart flow regulator of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one piezoelectric actuator (318) a set of piezoelectric actuators, wherein the set of piezoelectric actuators includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the set of piezoelectric actuators is coupled to the sealing disc (316, 416) via a first coupling mechanism (436), and wherein the second end of the set of piezoelectric actuators is coupled to an opposing end of the actuator chamber (304) via a second coupling mechanism (438).
  9. An aircraft (100), the aircraft comprising: a piezoelectric actuator controlled smart flow regulator (300), the piezoelectric actuator controlled smart flow regulator comprising: an inlet chamber (302) comprising: an inlet port (310); and an actuator chamber (304) comprising: an exit port (312); a sealing disc (316, 416), wherein, in a deactivated state, the sealing disc is in contact with the inlet port such that oxygen is prevented from flowing through the actuator chamber; and at least one piezoelectric actuator (318) coupled to the sealing disc, wherein, in an activated state, responsive to receiving a voltage, the at least one piezoelectric actuator is configured to restrict thereby translating a center of the sealing disc away from the inlet port and provide an oxygen flow through the inlet port to the exit port.
  10. The aircraft of claim 9, wherein the piezoelectric actuator controlled smart flow regulator (300) further comprises: a voltage supply (330), wherein the voltage supply is configured to provide the voltage to the at least one piezoelectric actuator (318).
  11. The aircraft of claim 10, wherein the piezoelectric actuator controlled smart flow regulator (300) further comprises: a voltage controller (324), wherein the voltage controller is configured to provide a voltage signal to the voltage supply (330) indicating an amount of voltage to supply to the at least one piezoelectric actuator (318) based on at least a measured pressure.
  12. The aircraft of claim 11, wherein the piezoelectric actuator controlled smart flow regulator (300) further comprises: an exit conduit (322), the exit conduit coupled to the exit port (312); and a pressure sensor (420), wherein the pressure sensor is configured to: measure a flow rate of the oxygen in the exit conduit coupled to the exit port; and provide a pressure signal of the measured pressure to the voltage controller (324); and wherein the piezoelectric actuator controlled smart flow regulator optionally further comprises: a temperature sensor (426), wherein the temperature sensor is configured to: measure a temperature of the oxygen in the exit conduit (322) to account for oxygen flow rate variation thereby forming a measured temperature; and provide a temperature signal of the measured temperature to the voltage controller; and wherein the voltage controller (324) is configured to provide the voltage signal to the voltage supply indicating the amount of voltage to supply to the at least one piezoelectric actuator based on at least the measured pressure and the measured temperature.
  13. The aircraft of any of claims 9 to 12, wherein the sealing disc (316, 416) comprises: a first portion (416a); and a second portion (416b), wherein the second portion is coupled to the first portion, wherein the second portion is configured to seal the sealing disc (316, 416) to the inlet port (310, 410); and optionally wherein the first portion is coupled to an inner circumference of the actuator chamber (304).
  14. The aircraft of any of claims 9 to 13, wherein the at least one piezoelectric actuator (300) is further coupled to an inner circumference of the actuator chamber (304); and/or wherein the at least one piezoelectric actuator includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the at least one piezoelectric actuator is coupled to the sealing disc (316, 416) via a first coupling mechanism (436), and wherein the second end of the at least one piezoelectric actuator is coupled to an opposing end of the actuator chamber via a second coupling mechanism (438).
  15. The aircraft of any of claims claim 9 to 14, wherein the at least one piezoelectric actuator (318) a set of piezoelectric actuators, wherein the set of piezoelectric actuators includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the set of piezoelectric actuators is coupled to the sealing disc (316, 416) via a first coupling mechanism (436), and wherein the second end of the set of piezoelectric actuators is coupled to an opposing end of the actuator chamber (304) via a second coupling mechanism (438).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, India Patent Application No. 202441082755, filed October 29, 2024 and titled "PIEZOELECTRIC ACTUATOR CONTROLLED SMART FLOW REGULATOR FOR AIRCRAFT OXYGEN SYSTEMS". FIELD The present disclosure generally relates to aircraft oxygen systems, and more specifically, to a piezoelectric actuator controlled smart flow regulator for aircraft oxygen systems. BACKGROUND Aircraft survival systems, such life support oxygen systems, use stored pressurized gas in pressurized cylinders. Oxygen filled portable cylinders are typically configured with a pressure regulator that divides the regulator outlet flow for distribution to multiple masks. Oxygen cylinders are installed to feed a distribution system via the pressure regulator and tubing. The passenger compartment typically has multiple breathing stations plumbed so each passenger is provided a mask for oxygen gas, responsive to oxygen gas being needed for survival. Oxygen gas is stored and transported in high pressure cylinders. Oxygen system design depends largely on the operational requirements. Oxygen systems may be continuous flow or a demand-based flow system. SUMMARY A piezoelectric actuator controlled smart flow regulator is provided. The piezoelectric actuator controlled smart flow regulator includes an inlet chamber and an actuator chamber. The inlet chamber includes an inlet port. The actuator chamber includes an exit port, a sealing disc, and at least one piezoelectric actuator. The at least one piezoelectric actuator is coupled to the sealing disc. In a deactivated state, the sealing disc is in contact with the inlet port such that oxygen is prevented from flowing through the actuator chamber. In an activated state, responsive to receiving a voltage, the at least one piezoelectric actuator is configured to restrict thereby translating a center of the sealing disc away from the inlet port and provide an oxygen flow through the inlet port to the exit port. In various embodiments, the piezoelectric actuator controlled smart flow regulator further includes a voltage supply. In various embodiments, the voltage supply is configured to provide the voltage to the at least one piezoelectric actuator. In various embodiments, the piezoelectric actuator controlled smart flow regulator further includes a voltage controller. In various embodiments, the voltage controller is configured to provide a voltage signal to the voltage supply indicating an amount of voltage to supply to the at least one piezoelectric actuator based on at least a measured pressure. In various embodiments, the piezoelectric actuator controlled smart flow regulator further includes an exit conduit. In various embodiments, the exit conduit is coupled to the exit port. In various embodiments, the piezoelectric actuator controlled smart flow regulator further includes a pressure sensor. In various embodiments, the pressure sensor is configured to measure a flow rate of the oxygen in the exit conduit coupled to the exit port and provide a pressure signal of the measured pressure to the voltage controller. In various embodiments, the piezoelectric actuator controlled smart flow regulator further includes a temperature sensor. In various embodiments, the temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of the oxygen in the exit conduit to account for an altitude of an aircraft thereby forming a measured temperature and provide a temperature signal of the measured temperature to the voltage controller. In various embodiments, the voltage controller is configured to provide the voltage signal to the voltage supply indicating the amount of voltage to supply to the at least one piezoelectric actuator based on at least the measured pressure and the measured temperature. In various embodiments, the sealing disc includes a first portion and a second portion. In various embodiments, the second portion is coupled to the first portion. In various embodiments, the second portion is configured to seal the sealing disc to the inlet port. In various embodiments, the first portion is coupled to an inner circumference of the actuator chamber. In various embodiments, at least one piezoelectric actuator is further coupled to an inner circumference of the actuator chamber. In various embodiments, the at least one piezoelectric actuator includes a first end and a second end. In various embodiments, the first end of the at least one piezoelectric actuator is coupled to the sealing disc via a first coupling mechanism. In various embodiments, the second end of the at least one piezoelectric actuator is coupled to an opposing end of the actuator chamber via a second coupling mechanism. In various embodiments, the at least one piezoelectric actuator a set of piezoelectric actuators. In various embodiments, the set of piezoelectric actuators includes a first end and a second end. In various embodiments, the first end of the set