Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, a flow-through fluid heating unit includes an annular member, and a heating element deposited on an inner surface of the annular member, the heating element including three sub-heating elements, each sub-heating element being connected to a separate conduit for receiving a separate phase of a three phase electrical power source. The heating unit may include a baffle core including at least one channel providing a fluid flow path, the baffle core being disposed within the annular member and proximate to the heating element. First and second end fittings may be disposed at each end of the annular member, each end fitting including a fluid port for allowing the fluid to flow through the annular member. One of the end fittings may be releasably connected to the annular member to provide access for removal of the baffle core.

Abstract: A brewing apparatus may include a chassis dimensioned to fit within a compartment of an aircraft galley. The chassis may include a front chassis section and one or more guide rails configured to engage one or more tracks in the aircraft galley compartment. The front chassis section may include a brew head assembly with one or more server restraints or one or more brew cup restraints and a brew cup panel assembly. The brew cup panel assembly may include a hinge assembly configured to engage the brew head assembly and a brew cup panel. The brew cup panel may be coupled to the hinge assembly and may be configured to adjust the brew head assembly in a selected direction via actuation of the hinge assembly.

Abstract: The solenoid valve may include a coil, a stem core tube, and a core. The coil may include one or more electrical leads configured to provide the coil with an electric current. The coil may be configured to convert the electric current to a magnetic field. At least a portion of the stem core tube may be insertable within a coil channel. At least a portion of the core may be insertable within an end of the stem core tube and may be moveable within the stem core tube via the magnetic field. At least one of the stem core tube or the core may be fabricated from 434 stainless steel and treated with one or more corrosion prevention processes. The solenoid valve may be couplable to one or more components of the brewing apparatus. The brewing apparatus may be dimensioned to fit within a compartment of the aircraft galley.

Abstract: A water heater for an aircraft beverage brewing apparatus includes a three way electrical conduit for conducting electrical power in three separate phases. The heater has a housing with a fluid inlet port at a first removable end piece and a fluid outlet port at a second removable end piece. The hollow cylindrical core incorporates a heating element wound around the core, and the housing includes three resettable temperature sensors at the outlet, each of the three resettable temperature sensors connected to a separate phase of power from the three way electrical conduit.

Abstract: The solenoid valve may include a coil, a stem core tube, and a core. The coil may include one or more electrical leads configured to provide the coil with an electric current. The coil may be configured to convert the electric current to a magnetic field. At least a portion of the stem core tube may be insertable within a coil channel. At least a portion of the core may be insertable within an end of the stem core tube and may be moveable within the stem core tube via the magnetic field. At least one of the stem core tube or the core may be fabricated from 434 stainless steel and treated with one or more corrosion prevention processes. The solenoid valve may be couplable to one or more components of the brewing apparatus. The brewing apparatus may be dimensioned to fit within a compartment of the aircraft galley.

Abstract: A brewing apparatus may include a chassis dimensioned to fit within a compartment of an aircraft galley. The chassis may include a front chassis section and one or more guide rails configured to engage one or more tracks in the aircraft galley compartment. The front chassis section may include a brew head assembly with one or more server restraints or one or more brew cup restraints and a brew cup panel assembly. The brew cup panel assembly may include a hinge assembly configured to engage the brew head assembly and a brew cup panel. The brew cup panel may be coupled to the hinge assembly and may be configured to adjust the brew head assembly in a selected direction via actuation of the hinge assembly.

Abstract: A thermally-actuated flow-restrictor device in an aircraft galley insert is provided that includes a housing formed of first and second flanged fittings. The first fitting includes an outlet port for connection to an aircraft galley insert, and the second fitting includes an inlet port for connection to an aircraft potable water supply. The second fitting also includes a boss surrounding the inlet port. A closure element contained within the housing includes a plurality of metals having different coefficients of thermal expansion. This allows the element to actuate depending upon the temperature of water contacting the closure element. When water having a predetermined temperature contacts the closure element, its surface facing the inlet port becomes convexly positioned proximal to the boss, thereby restricting the backflow of water through the flow-restrictor device. Once the closure element cools, its surface facing the inlet port becomes concave, resulting in normal device operation.

Abstract: An aircraft water heating tank air vent valve includes an air vent valve housing having an upper vent valve body and a lower valve adapter sealingly mated together to define an interior chamber. A tubular collar is disposed within the interior chamber between an upper planar valve seat member and a lower notched valve seat member, and a ball float is movable within the tubular collar between first and second positions seated on the upper planar valve seat member or the lower notched valve seat member, respectively. The lower notched valve seat member includes oblique notches and frustoconical projections providing upper shoulders upon which the tubular collar is positioned, and providing outwardly flaring radially inner oblique edges upon which the ball float can be seated.

Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, a flow-through fluid heating unit includes an annular member, and a heating element deposited on an inner surface of the annular member, the heating element including three sub-heating elements, each sub-heating element being connected to a separate conduit for receiving a separate phase of a three phase electrical power source. The heating unit may include a baffle core including at least one channel providing a fluid flow path, the baffle core being disposed within the annular member and proximate to the heating element. First and second end fittings may be disposed at each end of the annular member, each end fitting including a fluid port for allowing the fluid to flow through the annular member. One of the end fittings may be releasably connected to the annular member to provide access for removal of the baffle core.

Abstract: A thermally-actuated flow-restrictor device in an aircraft galley insert is provided that includes a housing formed of first and second flanged fittings. The first fitting includes an outlet port for connection to an aircraft galley insert, and the second fitting includes an inlet port for connection to an aircraft potable water supply. The second fitting also includes a boss surrounding the inlet port. A closure element contained within the housing includes a plurality of metals having different coefficients of thermal expansion. This allows the element to actuate depending upon the temperature of water contacting the closure element. When water having a predetermined temperature contacts the closure element, its surface facing the inlet port becomes convexly positioned proximal to the boss, thereby restricting the backflow of water through the flow-restrictor device. Once the closure element cools, its surface facing the inlet port becomes concave, resulting in normal device operation.

Abstract: An aircraft water heating tank air vent valve includes an air vent valve housing having an upper vent valve body and a lower valve adapter sealingly mated together to define an interior chamber. A tubular collar is disposed within the interior chamber between an upper planar valve seat member and a lower notched valve seat member, and a ball float is movable within the tubular collar between first and second positions seated on the upper planar valve seat member or the lower notched valve seat member, respectively. The lower notched valve seat member includes oblique notches and frustoconical projections providing upper shoulders upon which the tubular collar is positioned, and providing outwardly flaring radially inner oblique edges upon which the ball float can be seated.

Abstract: A water heater for an aircraft beverage brewing apparatus includes a three way electrical conduit for conducting electrical power in three separate phases. The heater has a housing with a fluid inlet port at a first removable end piece and a fluid outlet port at a second removable end piece. The hollow cylindrical core incorporates a heating element wound around the core, and the housing includes three resettable temperature sensors at the outlet, each of the three resettable temperature sensors connected to a separate phase of power from the three way electrical conduit.

Abstract: The present invention is a beverage brewing apparatus for an aircraft galley that includes a stow away platen to support a coffee cup or mug during brewing and that can be withdrawn when not in use to eliminate the intrusion of space in the galley if the platen were not stowable. The platen can operate like a pull out drawer, extending from its designated cavity when needed and pushed back into a withdrawn position when finished.

Abstract: A folding chair (20) having an adjustable headrest (30). The chair includes a frame (28) having tubes (50). The headrest (30) includes a head support (62) extending between two tubes (60), the tubes (60) of the headrest slidably connected to the tubes (50) of the frame. Another chair (120) includes a sunshade (130), the sunshade having material extending between two tubes (174). The tubes (174) of the sunshade (130) insert into ferrules (151) attached to the frame (128) of the chair (120). The sunshade (130) may include cords (180) that tension the sunshade towards the chair. Another chair (220) includes at least one pair of crossing cross members (240) attached by a bracket (246). The bracket (246) includes a sleeve (250) and a pair of hooks (252), the hooks mounted to the side of the sleeve. One cross member (240A) is fixed within the sleeve (250) while the hooks (252) selectively engage opposite sides of the other cross member when the cross members are rotated s relative to one another.

Abstract: A life vest having a built-in two-way radio. The two-way radio may be mounted behind a protective covering. The protective covering includes contours that match buttons for the two-way radio, and depressing or otherwise actuating the contours results in actuation of the corresponding buttons or controls for the two-way radio.