Abstract: An environmental control system includes a single heat exchanger, a single water separator and two air cycle machines on separate spools. Cooling turbines of the air cycle machines are cascaded. Air flows through both air cycle machines during normal operation of the environmental control system. If one of the air cycle machines fails, air can be bypassed around the failed air cycle machine. Cascading allows water separation to be performed by a mid-pressure water separator located between the air cycle machines.

Abstract: An integrated air conditioning and power unit is provided for use with an aircraft. The system includes an air turbine 42 having air passages connected to an engine 10 of the aircraft for receiving bleed air and/or ram air for driving the air turbine 42. A motor/generator 104 is drivingly connected to the air turbine 42. The motor/generator 104 is capable of drawing electricity from an aircraft primary power system for driving the motor or generating electricity which is delivered to the primary power system 108. An air compressor 54 is drivingly connected to the motor/generator 104 and is provided with an air passage which receives bleed air 32 and/or ram air 30 from the aircraft engine 10. A cooling system 71 is provided including a system compressor 81 drivingly connected to the motor/generator 104. A cooling system evaporator 70 and a condenser 92 are connected to the system compressor by fluid passages.

Abstract: A compact, lightweight integrated environmental control (IEC) system for a helicopter incorporates in operative combination an environmental control system (ECS) and a nuclear/biological/chemical life support system (NBC LSS). The IEC system includes a refrigerant subsystem, a regenerative heat exchange apparatus, a decontamination subsystem, and an airflow distribution network, and is operative to provide super-cooled, super-dry, decontaminated airflow, in seriatim, directly to left and right mission equipment package bays and the cockpit for cooling of avionics/electronic modules and crew comfort. The IEC system is further operative to directly provide cooled, super-dry, decontaminated airflow for cooling of avionics/electronic modules of the mid mission equipment package bay and for over pressurizing the left and right mission equipment package bays to preclude contaminant infiltration thereof.

Abstract: A high reliability cooling system for avionics provides a low-weight tertiary backup. A first source of cooling airflow (20) is directed through a first duct (28) to a first compartment (30, 32). A second source of cooling airflow (58) is directed through a second duct (68) to a second compartment (70, 74, 76, 78). A check valve (104) is located in the first duct (28) and permits airflow from said first source (20) to said first compartment (30, 32) and prevents a back-flow of air therethrough. An interconnecting duct (84) is provided between the first and second ducts (28, 68). The interconnecting duct (84) connects to the first duct (28) at a location between the check valve (104) and the first compartment (30). A shutoff valve (86) is located in the interconnecting duct (84) and is operable to open or close airflow therethrough. The invention provides three modes of operation. First, with the shutoff valve (86) closed, there are two separated avionic cooling systems.

Abstract: An air/liquid heat exchanger having a refrigerant spray providing evaporative cooling.

Abstract: An air/liquid heat exchanger having a tube that reinforces the heat exchanger's core and header plates and also sprays a liquid onto the core for evaporative cooling.

Abstract: An aircraft gas turbine engine is provided with an electrically powered boundary layer air bleed apparatus for bleeding boundary layer air off the nacelle and the wing or another part of the aircraft outer skin in order to reduce boundary layer or surface drag and using the boundary layer air as a source of compressed air and cooling air for the aircraft's environmental control system (ECS).

Abstract: An air/liquid heat exchanger for aircraft having ram pressure powered evaporative cooling.

Abstract: A pressure regulating valve controller for controlling the flow of refrigerant airflow through one of a plurality of air cycle systems is described. The controller includes pressure regulating means (145) for controlling flow in response to changes in ram air temperature as well as pressure regulating means (140 and 315) in response to the number of operating air cycle systems.

Abstract: The multifunction power system is a combination auxiliary power unit, environmental control system, engine start system, and emergency power system for an aircraft. The system is essentially a four-wheel auxiliary power unit comprising two compressors driven by one turbine by means of a common shaft and in addition a free turbine. The pressurized flow from the second compressor can be directed to parallel combustors and thereafter to the two turbines. A starter-generator and motor are coupled to the compressor drive shaft and the free turbine is used to power a generator and for engine starting. Ducts, heat exchangers, valves, etc., are so arranged as to provide the four functions by proper selection and routing of air.

Abstract: A direct air cooling system 12 for electronics carried by aircraft. The cooling system provides a submerged air scoop 16 which directs outside air to several electronic modules 14. The air flows through passages 76 in the modules 14 which are adjacent to circuit boards 74, 78 bearing discrete electronic components 88. A foil layer 86 and aluminum fin stock help transfer heat from the electronic components to the directed air. Heated air is then exhausted through exhaust port 24 or 28.

Abstract: The invention is an ECS system designed to utilize an induction motor (12) and a cabin compressor (14) for providing pressurized air that serves as a source of energy for heating, cooling, pressurizing and other air needs of modern aircraft. An aircraft engine driven generator, preferably a permanent-magnet generator (of the samarium-cobalt, SmCo, type), furnishes variable-voltage/variable frequency, VV/VF, power to the motor (12). The electric motor itself in the preferred embodiment is a highly reliable squirrel-cage induction motor (12) powered directly from the VV/VF supply, with the result that its speed is proportional to the generator frequency, which in turn is dependent on the aircraft engine speed. The main cabin compressor (14) and a secondary (auxiliary) supercharging compressor (18) are both mounted on the motor shaft.

Abstract: The invention is for a system which provides total cooling for an aircraft airframe which is designed to fly in the speed range of Mach 2 to Mach 8. The system eliminates the necessity of shielding an aircraft airframe constructed of material such as aluminum. Cooling is accomplished by passing a coolant through the aircraft airframe, the coolant acting as a carrier to remove heat from the airframe. The coolant is circulated through a heat pump and a heat exchanger which together extract essentially all of the added heat from the coolant. The heat is transferred to the aircraft fuel system via the heat exchanger and the heat pump. The heat extracted from the coolant is utilized to power the heat pump. The heat pump has associated therewith power turbine mechanism which is also driven by the extracted heat. The power turbines are utilized to drive various aircraft subsystems, the compressor of the heat pump, and provide engine cooling.

Abstract: Inlet air for an internal combustion engine in an airplane is expanded through a turbine to lower its pressure and temperature and is passed through a water chiller wherein heat exchange and evaporative cooling substantially lower the temperature of the water. The air is then fed to a compressor driven by the turbine and its pressure is raised to a level suitable for input to the engine manifold. The chilled water is circulated through a heat exchanger to provide cooling for the cabin of the airplane.