Enhanced fluid attenuators and methods, especially useful for aircraft hydraulic systems

• Main Authors: Futatsugi Sideto, Klug Francisco Keller, Gasparotti André
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 25.10.2016
• Subjects: ACTUATING-FLOATS; BLASTING; COCKS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; HEATING; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; LIGHTING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; TAPS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; VALVES; WEAPONS

Fluid attenuator systems and methods for attenuating fluid ripple waves within a main fluid line (e.g., a main hydraulic fluid line of an aircraft hydraulic system). At least one attenuator branch conduit may be provided in fluid communication with and at substantially a right angle to the main fluid line with a porous material positioned therewithin (e.g., at an open inlet or a closed distal end of the at least one attenuator branch conduit). The porous material may be a metallic or ceramic open-cell foam material. Multiple attenuator branch conduits may be provided with each having a different length as compared to the others. In such embodiments, the porous material may (or may not) be positioned within the different length attenuator branch conduits (e.g., at an open inlet or a closed distal end of respective ones of attenuator branch conduits).