Flow regulation in aircraft systems

摘要

The present invention relates generally to flow regulation in aircraft systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a flow regulator 100 and a high-lift system 200 for an aircraft incorporating such a flow regulator 100. The flow regulator 100 comprises a fluid input port 102 for receiving a pressurized fluid, a fluid output port 104 for providing fluid having a regulated flow rate, and a regulator valve 106 connected in fluid communication between the fluid input port 102 and the fluid output port 104. The regulator valve 106 is operable to provide regulated fluid at a substantially constant output flow rate to the fluid output port 104. The flow regulator 100 also includes a flow switching mechanism 108 for switching the substantially constant output flow of the flow regulated fluid provided by the regulator valve 106 between a first flow rate and a second flow rate, the first flow rate being less than the second flow rate.

主权项

1. A flow regulator (100) for an aircraft, comprising:
a fluid input port (102) for receiving a pressurised fluid; a fluid output port (104) for providing fluid having a regulated flow rate; a regulator valve (106) connected in fluid communication between the fluid input port (102) and the fluid output port (104), the regulator valve (106) being operable to provide flow regulated fluid at a substantially constant output flow rate to the fluid output port (104); and a flow switching mechanism (108) for switching the substantially constant output flow rate of the regulated fluid provided by the regulator valve (106) between a first flow rate and a second flow rate, the first flow rate being less than the second flow rate; wherein the flow switching mechanism (108) is a bi-stable device that is switchable between a fixed predetermined first flow rate and a fixed predetermined second flow rate; wherein the regulator valve (106) comprises a resiliently biased translatable spool (130) having at least one aperture (132) for providing pressurised fluid from the fluid input port (102) to the fluid output port (104); wherein the flow switching mechanism (108) comprises an actuable piston (150) operable to apply a bias adjusting force to a biasing mechanism (136) that is used to bias the translatable spool (130) in position within the regulator valve (106); and wherein the translatable spool (130) includes a constant restrictor (116) and a valve chamber (131) in fluid communication with the input port (102) via the constant restrictor (116), wherein the valve chamber (131) is in fluid communication with the at least one aperture (132) and the valve chamber (131) extends through the spool (130) from the constant restrictor (116) through an end of the spool (130).