Aircraft Patents (Class 454/76)
  • Patent number: 8328607
    Abstract: A system for ventilating an aircraft cabin includes an air supply pipe connected to an air source, and a plurality of air distribution lines branching off from the air supply pipe. In a first operating state, the ventilating system is adapted to blow out the air, flowing through the air supply pipe, directly from the air distribution lines into the aircraft cabin. In contrast, in a second operating state of the ventilating system, at least some of the air distribution lines are connected to connecting lines which supply the air, flowing through the air supply pipe, to air outlets arranged in a distributed manner in the aircraft cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Sven Reisbach
  • Publication number: 20120285665
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for distribution of cooling air for cooling an electrical equipment item installed in an avionic bay. Cooling air is drawn from an air vein, then passes into a first pressure zone (39) in fluidic communication with the air vein (14) and then into a second pressure zone (41) in fluidic communication with both the first pressure zone (39) and the equipment, the second pressure zone (41) extending beneath the largest dimension (length) of the electronic boards to be cooled (30) of the equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Vincent Rebeyrotte, Jean-Christophe Caron
  • Patent number: 8303384
    Abstract: A device for mixing fresh air and heating air in a ventilation system of an aircraft includes a fresh air inlet, a heating air supply body for supplying the heating air into the device, and a mixed air outlet for delivering mixed fresh air and heating air from the device. The heating air supply body includes a first portion and a second portion which constitute a flow resistance to the fresh air. The second portion is formed as a closed hollow body with a plurality of heating air supply openings and is connected to the first portion at a downstream end of the first portion, viewed in the flow direction of the heating air. Advantageously, the first portion of the heating air supply body is of streamlined shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Dariusz Krakowski, Uwe Buchholz, Nico Centofante
  • Patent number: 8298055
    Abstract: In a process and a system for controlling the pressure in an aircraft cabin the status of at least one aircraft door is detected by at least one detection device by transmitting a signal indicative of the status of the aircraft door to a unit for controlling an avionics ventilation system which is controlled in dependence upon the signal indicative of the status of the aircraft door in such a way that a build-up of pressure in the aircraft cabin is prevented when the signal indicative of the status of the aircraft door indicates that the aircraft door is not fully closed and secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Thorsten Schiek
  • Patent number: 8262023
    Abstract: A frame element for use in an aircraft air-conditioning system is attachable to an aircraft structure and includes at least one strut which is formed to at least in sections as a hollow cylinder, wherein an air inlet connection of the at least one-section-wise hollow cylindrically formed strut of the frame element is connectable to an air outlet duct of an aircraft air-conditioning unit, and an air outlet connection of the at least one section-wise hollow cylindrically formed strut of the frame element is connectable to an air outlet opening terminating in a cabin region of an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operation GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Köfinger, Joachim Metzger, Michael Auburger
  • Publication number: 20120214393
    Abstract: A decompression arrangement includes first and second cabin lining elements each with an edge region, the edge region of the second being arranged at a smaller distance from an aircraft outer skin than the edge region of the first, an air discharge opening arranged between the first edge region and second edge region and which is adapted to discharge air from an inner region of the cabin delimited by the cabin lining elements into a region of the aircraft lying between the cabin lining elements and the aircraft outer skin, and a decompression element integrated in the second cabin lining element having a flap pivotable about an axis from a closed position, in which it closes a pressure equalising opening formed in the decompression element, into a first open position, in which it opens the pressure equalising opening if a first predetermined differential pressure acts on the decompression element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Jürgen Vogt, Katja Strobel
  • Publication number: 20120129438
    Abstract: A ventilation system (10) for installation in an aircraft passenger cabin comprises an air supply pipe (12), which has a plurality of air outlet openings (14) disposed in a distributed manner along its longitudinal axis (L). An air chamber housing (16) is connectable to the air supply pipe (12) at various positions along the longitudinal axis (L) of the air supply pipe, such that air-conditioning air flowing through the air supply pipe (12) is supplyable, through an air outlet opening provided in the air supply pipe (12), into the air chamber housing (16). A connection device (34) is designed to connect the air chamber housing (16) to an air supply device (36) for supplying air-conditioning air into the aircraft passenger cabin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Peter Grosse-Plankermann, Martin Paetz, Thomas Fink
  • Publication number: 20120064816
    Abstract: A system for cooling an aircraft zone includes a mixing chamber (18) which is connected to an air-conditioning assembly (12a, 12b) for making cool air available and/or to a recirculated-air conveying device (20a, 20b) for supplying recirculated air into the mixing chamber (18). The system (10) further includes an aircraft-side air-distribution system (23) which includes at least one line (32) connecting the mixing chamber (18) to the aircraft zone to be cooled and also at least one line (28a, 28b) that is connectable to an aircraft-external air-generating assembly (26a, 26b, 26c, 26d) in order to route air made available by the aircraft-external air-generating assembly (26a, 26b, 26c, 26d) into the aircraft-side air-distribution system (23).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Dariusz Krakowski, Stefan Gumm, Juergen Kelnhofer
  • Patent number: 8118648
    Abstract: An air infeed device for air-conditioning passenger areas in aircraft includes a central air infeed module for the centrally regulated cabin ventilation system and an individual air infeed module for the individually adjustable cabin ventilation system. The centrally regulated cabin ventilation system and the individually adjustable cabin ventilation system are mutually independent systems. The central air infeed module and the individual air infeed module are connected to form a subassembly that can be handled independently as a collective unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Lars Brüggen, Matthias Kobler, Jörg Stützer
  • Patent number: 8113195
    Abstract: A device for supplying a multi-component jet into the visual field of a user, wherein the device has a line, an outlet opening and a transport unit. An oxygen-containing component and a water-containing component can be supplied to the line. The transport unit can be used to transport a mixture consisting of the oxygen-containing component and the water-containing component through the line to the outlet opening, so that the mixture streams out of the outlet opening directly toward the visual field of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen Heinrich, Robert Surma
  • Patent number: 8104712
    Abstract: An aircraft fuselage element includes an outer shell and an inner shell that is disposed with clearance relative to the outer shell. An intermediate space between the outer shell and the inner shell is connectable to an air source. A ventilation aperture that is formed in the aircraft fuselage element and connectable to the air source is provided with a semi-permeable membrane. The semi-permeable membrane is permeable to air flow in both directions and permeable to water in a flow direction into the intermediate space from outside the outer shell or the inner shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Paul J. Jörn
  • Publication number: 20120015595
    Abstract: This ventilation system is intended for an aircraft comprising a structure bearing an exterior wall and an interior covering. It has at least one duct (1) intended to be installed between the interior covering and the exterior wall. The duct (1) comprises one first pipe (2) and at least one second pipe (4, 6; 8, 10) able to slide telescopically in relation to the first pipe (2) between a retracted position and an extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Airbus Operations (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Lionel SABADIE, Natalia GRACHEVA, Michel DAL-CIN, Christian BANIS
  • Publication number: 20120003908
    Abstract: In a method for emergency ventilation of an aircraft cabin (12) a leak is detected in the area of an air mixer (24) of an aircraft air conditioning system (16). An emergency air flap (38), which in a closed position prevents an air exchange between an aircraft area (40) adjacent to the air mixer (24) and the aircraft cabin (12), is controlled into an open position. Finally, air from the aircraft area (40) adjacent to the air mixer (24) is conveyed through the open emergency air flap (38) into the aircraft cabin (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Klimpel, Rudiger Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20110306285
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for emergency ventilation of an aircraft cabin (36), comprising controlling a first valve (14) arranged in a first aircraft fuselage area (28), said valve serving as an air outlet valve of an aircraft cabin pressure control system in its normal operation, such that air is supplied from the aircraft environment into the first aircraft fuselage area (28) through the opened first valve (14) and is conducted from the first aircraft fuselage area (28) into the aircraft cabin. A second valve (16), arranged in a second aircraft fuselage area (38) spaced apart from the first aircraft fuselage area (28) along a longitudinal axis (22) of the aircraft (10) and is serving as an additional air outlet valve of the aircraft cabin pressure control system in its normal operation, is controlled such that air from the aircraft cabin (36) is conducted into the second aircraft fuselage area (38) and discharged into the aircraft environment through the opened second valve (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventor: Thomas Heuer
  • Publication number: 20110300786
    Abstract: A system (10) for ventilating an explosion hazard region (12) of an aircraft comprises a ram-air channel (16), which has an air inlet for feeding ambient air into the ram-air channel (16) as well as an air outlet (18). The ram-air channel (16) is devised to feed air to a device that is to be cooled on board the aircraft. A ventilation line (22) has an air inlet (24) for feeding air flowing through the ram-air channel (16) into the ventilation line (22) as well as an air outlet (26). The ventilation line (22) is devised to feed air to a region (12) of the aircraft that is to be ventilated. An accumulator (28) is disposed between the ram-air channel (16) and the air inlet (24) of the ventilation line (22) and is devised to convert the dynamic pressure of the air flow conveyed through the ram-air channel (16) at least partially into static pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Dirk Kastell, Wilson Willy Casas Noriega
  • Publication number: 20110294409
    Abstract: An air guiding element (10) for an aircraft air-conditioning system comprises a distributing pipe (12) having an air inlet opening (14) arranged in the region of an end face of the distributing pipe (12) and an air discharge opening (16) arranged in the region of a generated surface of the distributing pipe (12). The air guiding element (10) further comprises a flow diverting element (18) having a first section (20) connected to the air discharge opening (16) of the distributing pipe (12) and a second section (24) arranged downstream of the first section (20) relative to the direction of the air flow through the air guiding element (10). The second section (24) is configured to deflect the air as it flows through the second section (24) at an angle of approximately 45 to 135° relative to the direction of the air flow through the first section (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Edom, Ingo Gores, Thorsten Raible
  • Publication number: 20110269388
    Abstract: A device for realizing a cooling effect in a space comprises: a housing with a heat-conducting wall, which housing bounds a chamber through which air can flow; an air inlet which connects to the chamber and to said place, —an air outlet connecting to the chamber; air transport means for transporting air from the air inlet via the chamber to the air outlet; and moistening means for moistening the inner surface of the wall; this such that air supplied by the air transport means is introduced into the chamber via the air inlet, passes along the moistened inner surface of the wall in the chamber and is discharged from the chamber via the air outlet, whereby the water present on the inner surface of the heat-conducting wall evaporates and is entrained by the air flowing by, and the wall is cooled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventor: Matthijs Dirk Meulenbelt
  • Publication number: 20110256821
    Abstract: An interior ceiling panel system includes a ceiling panel mounted in a ceiling area, a first airflow directing panel in a first side of the ceiling area defining an airflow passage, and a second airflow directing panel in a second side of the ceiling area, defining an eddy space. An airflow supply source introduces airflow into the ceiling area, and the second airflow directing panel provides an obstruction that creates an eddy in the eddy space that incoming airflow with air in the cabin. One or more speakers project sound energy upward toward the ceiling panel, which deflects sound energy to provide more uniform sound levels in the cabin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: BE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
    Inventors: Frank E. HASHBERGER, Sylvio A.C. BRAVETTI
  • Publication number: 20110247432
    Abstract: The invention relates to an aircraft conduit monitoring system comprising a conduit that conducts gas from a source to a point of application. A flow sensing device and a pressure sensing device are provided within the conduit. At least one set value of a gas mass flow rate and at least one set value of a pressure are sensed in a learning mode of operation. Said set values are compared with sensed actual values in the normal mode of operation. A gas volume flow rate can also be sensed and processed instead of a gas mass flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Juergen Kelnhofer, Dariusz Krakowski
  • Publication number: 20110237173
    Abstract: A system (10) for air conditioning an aircraft cabin (12) comprises an air conditioning unit (14) connected to a central mixer (16) in order to supply the central mixer (16) with air at a desired low temperature. A first recirculation system (18) is designed to remove exhaust air from a first aircraft cabin region (12a) and is connected to the central mixer (16) in order to lead the exhaust air from the first aircraft cabin region (12a) into the central mixer (16). A second recirculation system (24) is designed to remove exhaust air from a second aircraft cabin region (12b) and is connected to a local mixer (20, 22) in order to lead the exhaust air from the second aircraft cabin (12b) into the local mixer (20, 22). The local mixer (20, 22) is connected to the central mixer (16) in order to supply mixed air from the central mixer (16) into the local mixer (20, 22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Jügen Kelnhofer, Dariusz Krakowski, Ahmet Kayihan Kiryaman
  • Patent number: 8016232
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided controlling aircraft cabin pressure, and more specifically engine bleed air manifold pressure, during aircraft descent. An aircraft engine bleed air manifold control pressure setpoint is to either a descent pressure setpoint or a cruise pressure setpoint by determining a rotational speed of an aircraft engine component, determining a component speed setpoint value, and determining aircraft vertical speed. The engine bleed air manifold control pressure setpoint is set to the descent pressure setpoint if either the determined rotational speed of the aircraft engine component is below the component speed setpoint value or the aircraft vertical speed is less than a predetermined vertical speed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Mark Anderson, Karen Hosler, Greg Chapman, Wai Pak Wong
  • Patent number: 8016650
    Abstract: An aircraft air distribution system includes a base and first and second arrays of nozzle air transfer ports in the base. An adjustable flow plate is positioned over the nozzle air transfer ports. A compressible member is located between the base and the adjustable flow plate and between the first and second arrays. First and second air ejector regions are located, respectively, on the sides of the compressible member between the base and the adjustable flow plate to connect to the first and second arrays, and direct air from the first and second arrays from the sides of the base. Fasteners moveably connect the adjustable flow plate to the base and are adjustable to change a size of different sections of the first and second air ejector regions to change an amount of airflow originating from the different sections of these regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Raymond H. Horstman, Scott W. Bohm, Kenneth J. Walter, Steven L. Williams, Kirk D. Skaggs, John M. Brown, Chao-Hsin Lin
  • Publication number: 20110212678
    Abstract: A system (10) for air-conditioning an aircraft cabin (12) comprises an air conditioning unit (14) connected to a central mixer (16) in order to supply the central mixer (16) with air at a desired low temperature. A first recirculation system (18) is designed to remove exhaust air from a first aircraft cabin region (12a) and is connected to the central mixer (16) in order to lead the exhaust air from the first aircraft cabin region (12a) into the central mixer (16). A second recirculation system (24) is designed to remove exhaust air from a second aircraft cabin region (12b) and is connected to a local mixer (20, 22) in order to lead the exhaust air from the second aircraft cabin (12b) into the local mixer (20, 22). The local mixer (20, 22) is connected to the central mixer (16) in order to supply mixed air from the central mixer (16) into the local mixer (20, 22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Holger Brunnberg, Dariusz Krakowski
  • Publication number: 20110204628
    Abstract: The ventilation device according to the invention includes a fan and an inverter. The fan comprises a rotary electrical machine and a wheel for setting an air flow into motion, integral with the rotary machine to set it in rotation. The inverter is connected to the rotary machine and, in one motor power mode of the ventilation device, is suitable for forming the supply current of the rotary machine. The inverter is suitable for being connected to a power supply network. The inverter is reversible and is, in a generating mode of the ventilation device, suitable for converting the electrical energy supplied by the rotary machine when it is driven mechanically by the wheel and injecting said converted electrical energy into the power supply network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: TECHNOFAN
    Inventor: OLIVIER DARNIS
  • Patent number: 8002218
    Abstract: A combination ventilation and stowage bin system including at least one support duct defining an inlet for receiving conditioned air from a supply duct and an outlet for directing air into a passenger compartment, and a stowage bin for stowing luggage mounted to and supported by the at least one support duct, the stowage bin entirely supported by the duct such that the bin is free from direct attachment to an interior wall or supporting structure other than the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: BE Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20110196540
    Abstract: Outside air enters a ram air scoop on an aircraft frame, and is ducted to a ram air control valve. The air control valve outputs a desired air mass flow to a cyclone air-water separator which removes moisture and produces a dry air flow. A heater assembly heats the dry air to a desired temperature and directs the heated air into an equipment bay enclosure on the aircraft. The relative humidity of the heated air is sensed by an air moisture sensor which produces a corresponding signal. Other sensors disposed near a payload in the bay enclosure produce corresponding air temperature and air pressure signals. All the sensor signals are input to a processor or controller configured to activate the air control valve and the heater assembly according to set points for temperature and humidity that are specified for the payload in the bay enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventor: Michel Engelhardt
  • Publication number: 20110177771
    Abstract: A system (10) for cooling an aircraft region comprises an air-conditioning unit (12a, 12b) for providing cool air, a circulating air conveying device (20a, 20b), and a mixing chamber (18) which is connected to the air conditioning unit (12a, 12b) via an air distribution line (16a, 16b) and to which circulating air can be fed by the circulating air conveying device (20a, 20b). An inlet line (28a, 28b) which is connected to an aircraft-side connection (24a, 24b, 24c, 24d) for an aircraft-external air unit (26a, 26b, 26c, 26d) opens into the air distribution line (16a, 16b) connecting the air conditioning unit (12a, 12b) to the mixing chamber (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Juergen Kelnhofer, Dariusz Krakowski
  • Patent number: 7980928
    Abstract: The present application describes an arrangement and a method for utilizing the heat of waste air for heating the bilge area of aircraft, wherein the bilge area is connected to a heat transfer unit via a first air supply pipe, through which a bilge air flow drawn in from the bilge area flows into the heat transfer unit, wherein the heat transfer unit comprises a second air supply pipe, through which a waste air heat flow to be cooled that is created at another location in the aircraft flows into the heat transfer unit in order to heat the drawn-in bilge air flow, wherein the heat transfer unit comprises a first air discharge pipe, through which the cooled waste air heat flow is discharged, and a second air discharge pipe with a bilge inlet section, and wherein at least a portion of the heated bilge flow is returned to the bilge area via the air discharge pipe and the bilge inlet section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Markwart, Thomas Scherer, Oliver Schaumann
  • Publication number: 20110171896
    Abstract: A system (10) for conveying recirculation air from an aircraft cabin comprises a plurality of conveying devices (12a-12j) which are arranged in a manner distributed along an aircraft cabin region (14). A control device (16) is configured to control the conveying devices (12a-12j) in the normal operation of the system (10) in such a manner that each conveying device (12a-12j) removes a predetermined air volume flow from the aircraft cabin region (14). The control device (16) is furthermore configured to control, in the event of a failure of a conveying device (12c), at least some of the remaining still functional conveying devices (12a, 12b, 12d-12j) in such a manner that the entire air volume flow removed from the aircraft cabin region (14) by the remaining still functional conveying devices (12a, 12b, 12d-12j) is increased by an amount corresponding to an air volume flow amount removed from the aircraft cabin region (14) by the failed conveying device (12c) in the normal operation of the system (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Holger Brunnberg, Dariusz Krakowski
  • Publication number: 20110151763
    Abstract: Device for exhaust air cooling of aircraft air-conditioning systems comprising a bypass channel that bypasses an aircraft air-conditioning system arranged downstream of a ram air channel with a ram air inlet channel portion, and merges into an outlet channel, arranged downstream of the aircraft air-conditioning system, before a discharge opening for exhaust air, a common inlet being provided for the ram air channel and the bypass channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas Selchert, Alexander Solntsev
  • Publication number: 20110151764
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air duct (10) for supplying ambient air in an aircraft, comprising an air inlet (12), a flow duct portion (16) extending downstream of the air inlet (12) and a feed device (22) that is devised to feed ambient air through the air inlet (12) and the flow duct portion (16). A flow control flap (24) closes the air inlet (12) in a first position, releases a first flow cross-section of the air inlet (12) in a second position and releases a second flow cross-section of the air inlet (12), which is larger than the first flow cross-section, in a third position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Dirk Kastell, Sebastian Roering, Wilson Willy Casas Noriega
  • Publication number: 20110151762
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air supply system of an aircraft, in particular of a passenger aircraft, which comprises a fresh air system, through which fresh air can be supplied to an aircraft cabin, a circulating air system, which is coupled to the fresh air system and through which used cabin air can be supplied to the fresh air system, a cooling air system for cooling an air conditioning system of the aircraft disposed in the fresh air system, and a ventilation system coupled to the cooling air system for ventilating an installation space of the air conditioning system. The air supply system includes a device for fluidically coupling the cooling air system and the ventilation system. The device is disposed and configured inside the fuselage of the aircraft such that the air in one system can be driven through the air flow in the other system. The invention also relates to a method for mixing two air streams in an air supply system of this kind of an aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventor: Jan Barkowsky
  • Publication number: 20110136425
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fresh air inlet for an aircraft that features at least one ram air inlet with at least one ram air inlet opening, at least one secondary air inlet opening that is spaced apart from the ram air inlet and at least one movably mounted flap, wherein the flap can be moved into a first position and into a second position, and wherein the flap essentially covers the secondary air inlet opening in the first position and at least partially opens the secondary air inlet opening and at least in certain areas extends into the air flow directed toward the ram air inlet opening in order to shield the ram air inlet opening from foreign matter in the second position. The air inlet according to the invention makes it possible to reduce the pressure loss of the air inlet on the ground or during flight phases with relatively slow speed due to the enlarged cross-sectional surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes Eichholz, Jens Beier, Alexander Solntsev, Ruediger Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20110111683
    Abstract: A system (10) for ventilation of an aircraft area (32, 34) comprises a ram-air duct (12) with an air inlet (14), a first ram-air duct branch (16) and a second ram-air duct branch (18) allowing for being flowed parallel to the first ram-air duct branch (16). A supply line (26) connected to the ram-air duct (12) is adapted to supply air flowing through the ram-air duct (12) to the aircraft area (32, 34) to be ventilated. In the first ram-air duct branch (16) a conveying device (24) is arranged. In the second ram-air duct branch (18) a heat exchanger (36) of an aircraft system to be supplied with cooling energy is arranged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventor: Juergen Kelnhofer
  • Publication number: 20110105006
    Abstract: A blower has an air outlet duct having an internal space, and an air outlet opening extending from the air outlet duct. A fan having a plurality of blades is positioned inside the internal space. A base seat is positioned below the air outlet duct, with an air inlet provided in a side wall of the base seat, and with an air inlet pipe extending from the air inlet. A motor is positioned in the base seat and has a shaft that extends through the air outlet duct to be coupled to the blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Hesheng Liang
  • Publication number: 20110021129
    Abstract: An ice separator is provided that includes, but is not limited to at least one curved airflow deflection surface. The ice separator includes, but is not limited to an inflow aperture with a downstream trapping pocket at the airflow deflection surface, in which trapping pocket ice particles from an airflow flowing onto the ice separator are trapped due to their inertial forces. In this way with simple means an effective device for removing ice particles from airflow may be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventor: Till GUNDLACH
  • Patent number: 7871038
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing airflow in an aerospace vehicle are disclosed. A system in accordance with one embodiment includes an aerospace vehicle having an interior volume with a first portion and a second portion. The system can further include an external air supply device positioned to provide supply air to the interior volume at a variable supply flow rate and a recirculation fan configured to move air positioned within the interior volume between the first portion of the interior volume and the second portion of the interior volume. The system can still further include a controller operably coupled to the recirculation fan and configured to vary a rotation speed of the recirculation fan. Variations in the rotation speed of the recirculation fan can be associated with variations in a recirculation flow rate. In selected embodiments, the system can include sensors and/or data link devices operably coupled to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David R. Space, Jane V. Matera, Warren A. Atkey, Charles J. Fiterman, John Gray, Timothy J. Arnaud
  • Publication number: 20100323601
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an air conditioning system (10) for an aircraft cabin (12) with at least one air inlet (14) for supplying air to the cabin (12), at least one air outlet (16) for discharging air from the cabin (12) and at least one compressed-air source (52, 54, 56), which is adapted to provide pressurised fresh air for supplying to the cabin (12) via the at least one air inlet (14). The air conditioning system (10) further comprises a heat exchanger (42) supplied with ram air from a ram air inlet (92) for cooling air from the compressed-air source (52, 54, 56), wherein the heat exchanger (42) is disposed upstream of the air inlet (14) of the cabin (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventors: Joerg Cremers, Henrik Derlien, Klaus-Dieter Kricke, Katja_Maria Wilke
  • Patent number: 7849931
    Abstract: An integrated environmental control system for a cargo stowage compartment in a mobile platform, for example in a commercial passenger jet aircraft. A fire detection/suppression subsystem is integrated together with an airflow management system. The airflow management system operates to circulate, and optionally to heat or cool, air withdrawn from a cargo stowage compartment of the aircraft before the air is released back into the cargo stowage compartment. A fire suppression substance, for example, Halon gas, can be discharged directly into a recirculation duct of the airflow management system, thus reducing the duct work required to achieve fire suppression and ventilation operations for the cargo stowage compartment. The integration of the fire detection/suppression and airflow management system operations reduces the overall amount, complexity and weight of the ducting employed in a cargo stowage compartment of a commercial jet aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Casey Y. K. Ng
  • Patent number: 7837541
    Abstract: A method for reducing outside air inflow required for aircraft passenger cabin air quality is provided. The method determines when passenger cabin air quality is the driving outside air inflow requirement and reduces the outside air inflow to that required for passenger cabin air quality. In one embodiment, there is provided a method for reducing outside air inflow required for aircraft passenger cabin air quality using a fixed minimum outflow valve open area setpoint. In another embodiment, there is provided a method for reducing outside air inflow required for aircraft passenger cabin air quality using calculations that are repeated at regular intervals and using a mathematical function relating an outside air inflow requirement to a set of independent variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John C. Gray, Kyle D. Eilers, Warren A. Atkey
  • Patent number: 7828640
    Abstract: A blower has an air outlet duct having an internal space, and an air outlet opening extending from the air outlet duct. A fan having a plurality of blades is positioned inside the internal space. A base seat is positioned below the air outlet duct, with an air inlet provided in a side wall of the base seat, and with an air inlet pipe extending from the air inlet. A motor is positioned in the base seat and has a shaft that extends through the air outlet duct to be coupled to the blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Sun Pleasure Company Limited
    Inventor: Hesheng Liang
  • Publication number: 20100279595
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing air. The apparatus includes an air distribution vent that distributes air into a compartment, wherein the distribution of air into the compartment causes compartment air from the compartment to be drawn from the compartment. The apparatus also includes a contaminant removal system, wherein compartment air drawn from the compartment is processed to remove contaminants before being distributed back into the compartment by the air distribution vent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Raymond H. Horstman, Richard A. Johnson, Chao-Hsin Lin
  • Patent number: 7823834
    Abstract: This door includes a device that permits air to flow through the door in one direction but prevents this flow of air in the opposite direction. On the attached illustration, the door includes at least a window (74), that less air pass through as well as an elastic membrane (76) covering window (74). Elastic membrane (76) includes on the one hand an area that is airtight facing window (74) and capable of fully covering it and on the other hand, an area that is pervious to air near the impervious area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignees: Airbus, Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Clive French, Smail Maksen
  • Publication number: 20100273410
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for distributing air in a cargo aircraft. The cargo aircraft has an air distribution system (10) which is connected to at least one cargo deck. The air distribution system comprises a source (12, 14, 16, 18) for bleed air, at least one so-called air conditioning unit (28, 38) for treating the bleed air, a mixing unit (32) which receives treated bleed air from the air conditioning unit (28, 38) and delivers it to the at least one cargo deck, and at least one shut-off valve (58, 60, 62, 64) between the mixing unit (32) and the cargo deck in order to interrupt or completely release the air supply to the cargo deck. In order to reduce the bleed air requirement, a cockpit switch (82, 84, 86, 88) co-operating with the shutoff valve is provided, the operation of which switch causes the at least one shutoff valve (58, 60, 62, 64) to take up an intermediate position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: AIRBUS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Gumm, Manuela Horl, Dariusz Krakowski, Steffen Kalsow
  • Publication number: 20100267323
    Abstract: With a method for controlling the temperature of feed air which is injected into the cabin zone of a passenger aircraft, the cabin of which is sub-divided into several cabin zones supplied respectively with specially temperature-controlled feed air, the temperature of the injected feed air is controlled for each cabin zone, dependent upon the deviation of an injection temperature actual value for the feed air injected into the cabin zone in question, measured by sensors, in relation to an injection temperature optimum value. If there is no, or at least no usable reading of the ambient temperature of this cabin zone for a cabin zone, an optimum value for the injection temperature of this cabin zone can be established in accordance with a variation, whereby it is determined upon the basis of the injection temperature optimum values and/or the injection temperature actual values of other cabin zones, whereby the measurement by sensors of the cabin temperature works reliably.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: AIRBUS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Scherer, Michael Markwart, Torsten Schwan
  • Publication number: 20100233950
    Abstract: An altitude switch limit assembly has two independent limit switches to monitor cabin pressure and back up performance of the auto and monitor channels on the aircraft. The auto channel closes a first switch upon sensing that a cabin pressure falls below a set value, the monitor channel closes a second switch upon sensing that the cabin pressure falls below the set value. A first independent limit switch may be wired to the auto channel and a second independent limit switch may be wired to the monitor channel. Logic circuitry may determine that the assembly closes an outflow valve regulating cabin pressure when either both independent limit switches sense the condition, or when one of the independent limit switch senses the condition and either the auto channel or monitor channel to which that independent limit switch may be wired senses the same condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: ED BENKERT, Rich Morey, Duane Inscho
  • Patent number: 7789346
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing air. The apparatus includes an air distribution vent that distributes air into a compartment, wherein the distribution of air into the compartment causes compartment air from the compartment to be drawn from the compartment. The apparatus also includes a contaminant removal system, wherein compartment air drawn from the compartment is processed to remove contaminants before being distributed back into the compartment by the air distribution vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Raymond H. Horstman, Richard A. Johnson, Chao-Hsin Lin
  • Publication number: 20100216385
    Abstract: An air outlet valve for use in an aircraft is adapted during normal operation of the aircraft as a component of a cabin pressure control system for adjusting a desired pressure level in an aircraft cabin to remove air from an interior of the aircraft into the environment around the aircraft. The air outlet valve is further adapted during emergency ventilation operation of the aircraft as a component of a system for emergency ventilation of the aircraft cabin to introduce air from the environment around the aircraft into the interior of the aircraft. The air outlet valve comprises a nose-side valve flap, which is pivotable about an axis and is adapted to open or close a nose-side portion of an air outlet valve aperture, and a tail-side valve flap, which is pivotable about an axis and is adapted to open or close a tail-side portion of the air outlet valve aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventor: Thomas Heuer
  • Publication number: 20100192616
    Abstract: An air guiding element (10) for an aircraft air conditioning system comprises a housing base body (12), in which an air inlet opening (14) and an air outlet opening (16) are constructed. A first flow control element (28) is arranged in the housing base body (12), relative to the direction of the air flow through the air guiding element (10), upstream of the air outlet opening (16). The first flow control element (28) comprises a plurality of air guiding channels (30) which are surrounded by a noise-absorbing material (32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Ingo Gores, Andreas Edom, Thorsten Raible
  • Publication number: 20100170997
    Abstract: An aircraft including a fuselage including a cabin to accommodate persons and/or a load, and a propulsion system. The propulsion system includes at least one tank and/or one combustion chamber, wherein part of the propulsion system can be used as an extension of the cabin to accommodate persons and/or a load, the part of the propulsion system lying adjacent the cabin and separated from the cabin by a partition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: AIRBUS
    Inventor: Garrett Smith