Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a vertically stowable aircraft storage unit for providing additional storage in a cabin area of an aircraft can include a storage compartment and a vacuum lift mechanism for lifting and lowering the storage compartment between a stowed position and a deployed position. The vacuum lift mechanism can include at least one vacuum actuator in fluid communication with a vacuum source. The aircraft storage unit can further include an overhead mounting frame for mounting the vacuum lift mechanism to an upper structure of an interior of the aircraft, and a storage compartment frame configured to releasably receive the storage compartment. The vacuum lift mechanism may be releasably attached, at an upper end, to the overhead mounting frame, and at a lower end, to the storage compartment frame. The upper structure of the interior of the aircraft can be above a ceiling of the cabin area.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an aircraft passenger seat base frame can include spaced left and right spreaders supporting a seat pan and a seatback. Additionally, a front transverse structural member and a rear transverse structural member can each interconnect with the left and right spreaders. An in-flight entertainment component compartment defined in the seat pan at least in part by placement of the front transverse structural member and the rear transverse structural member can enclose an in-flight entertainment component, wherein the front transverse structural member is positioned for aligning in a vertical plane with at least a portion of the in-flight entertainment component, and the rear transverse structural member is positioned for aligning in a horizontal plane with at least a portion of the in-flight entertainment component.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an aircraft passenger seat includes a seat back and a laterally-expanding tray table including a telescoping table segment and a main table segment having an interior pocket for receiving the telescoping table segment in a retracted position, where the telescoping table segment is adjacent to the main table segment in a fully extended position to form a contiguous table surface. The seat back may include a mounting region for stowing the laterally-expanding tray table, including a latching mechanism for latching the main table segment in a stowed position. The mounting region may extend across half the width of the seat back. The seat back may include storage region(s) horizontally adjacent to the mounting region, each storage region configured to stow a passenger convenience feature.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a cradle recline mechanism for an aircraft passenger seat includes a guide mechanism for guiding a seat bottom of the aircraft passenger seat forward and lower as the seat bottom moves from an upright sitting position to a cradle recline sitting position, where a rear portion of the seat bottom is lowered more than a front portion of the seat bottom, causing the seat bottom to angle upwards from a bottom edge of the seat back. A seat back of the passenger seat may be pivotably connected to the seat bottom such that it is pulled forward and down with the movement of the seat bottom, with the recline angle determined by a rigid support mechanism disposed behind the seat back. Passenger weight may be counterbalanced using a moveable control mechanism such as a locking gas spring.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a modular lavatory system for replacing a conventional lavatory monument in an aircraft cabin includes a base lavatory module including a fore sidewall, an aft sidewall, and an aisle wall that form a housing enclosing a toilet unit. A first sidewall of the fore sidewall and the aft sidewall may include a widening region positioned above a passenger seat headrest height. The modular lavatory system may include at least two interchangeable modules configured for mounting against the other sidewall of the base lavatory module. A footprint of the base lavatory module may be smaller than the conventional lavatory monument footprint, such that an extra cabin space is created proximate the other sidewall of the base lavatory module after replacement of the conventional lavatory monument with the modular lavatory system. The at least two interchangeable modules may each be dimensioned for installation within the extra space.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for supplying, generating, conserving, and managing oxygen that is ideally suited for use on-board an aircraft for supply of breathable oxygen to passengers and flight crew. The system includes several components that together optimize oxygen utilization while reducing costs from maintenance and added weight of traditional pressurized gaseous cylinders. Components of the system include a pressurized cylinder of oxygen enriched gas or a chemical oxygen generator for rapid use in emergency situations, an on-board oxygen generator (OBOG) of the ceramic oxygen generator (COG) type incorporating solid electrolyte oxygen separation (SEOS) technology, a controller, a pulsed oxygen supplier, a crew/passenger breathing mask, and one or more sensors including sensors that detect inhale/exhale phases and communicate with the controller so that flow of oxygen may be regulated for conservation and to adapt to physiological needs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for supplying and managing oxygen suited for use on-board an aircraft for providing breathable oxygen to pilots and cockpit crew. Components of the system work together to optimize oxygen utilization while reducing costs from maintenance and added weight of traditional pressurized gaseous cylinders. Components include a rapid oxygen supply for immediate use in emergency situations, an on-board oxygen generator (OBOG), a controller, a pulsed oxygen delivery subsystem that detects inhale/exhale phases and adapts to physiological requirements, and a breathing mask for each pilot and cockpit crew member.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an adjustable aircraft passenger seat includes a seat bottom; a legrest moveably connected to the seat bottom that articulates between a legrest vertical and a legrest horizontal positions; a lower seatback moveably connected to the seat bottom to be articulated between a lower seatback vertical and a lower seatback horizontal positions; and an upper seatback moveably connected to the lower seatback to be articulated between an upper seatback vertical and an upper seatback horizontal positions. The articulation of the legrest, the articulation of the lower seat back, and the articulation of the upper seatback may be configured to articulate the adjustable aircraft passenger seat from an upright sitting to a horizontal sleeping position, through an in-bed lounge sitting position.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an aircraft seating group has first and second laterally-adjacent passenger seats; a center console positioned between the first and second passenger seats; a center console disposed between the first and second laterally-adjacent passenger seats and having a shelf for supporting a handheld electronic device at approximately an eye level of a passenger in the first passenger seat. The center console may further include a retention system to maintain the electronic device in the shelf in a position allowing the passenger to comfortably view the screen of the electronic device.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a mechanical cable release mechanism for actuating an adjustable feature of an aircraft passenger seat includes a driving control mechanism disposed within a seat bottom region of the passenger seat, a moveable control mechanism disposed between the seat bottom region and the adjustable feature, a mechanical cable connected at one end to the moveable control mechanism and at the other end to the driving control mechanism, and an electronic actuation mechanism configured, upon triggering, to activate the driving control mechanism to pull or push the mechanical cable, thereby actuating the moveable control mechanism.

Abstract: A self-contained breathing device for use in fighting fires comprising a hood for covering a wearer's head, a membrane for sealing the hood to create a breathing chamber inside the hood, and a source of oxygen disposed inside the hood. The source of oxygen is connected to the user by a conduit inside of the hood, and another conduit directs user-exhaled carbon dioxide to the source of oxygen. The breathing device includes a visual indicator inside of the hood that reacts to the presence of a gas within the hood and providing visual feedback to the user based on a quantity of said gas present in the hood.

Abstract: An aircraft potable water supply system allows unused water to be recovered for later use. The system prevents cross contamination of potable water, waste water and foul water, drains down the entire system upon aircraft shutdown and refills the system in preparation for a resumption of service.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment a friction bushing is configured to rotate a shaft with resistance having a housing with a bore to receive the shaft; a flange plate positioned on the housing around the bore; and a number of flanges that protrude axially from the flange plate to receive the shaft, where the flanges generate a radially-directed force by being flexible from a relaxed radius to a shaft radius of the shaft, and the flanges have internal circumferentially spaced surfaces in contact with an external surface of the shaft having a topology to control the resistance as the shaft rotates in the friction bushing.

Abstract: The present invention is a froth wand for an espresso machine that can generate a high velocity stream of steam to foam a beverage at the beverage brewing apparatus. The wand includes an adapter for attaching to the beverage brewing machine at a steam supply outlet, and a conduit for communicating the steam to a steam tube. The steam tube has a cylindrical body with an annular recessed exit, and is surrounded by a cylindrical sheath. The sheath includes a cylindrical plug with a small longitudinal aperture that fits into the outlet of the steam tube. The mating of the sheath's plug and the steam tube forces the steam through the aperture, accelerating the steam at the exit.

Abstract: A telescoping aircraft door is disclosed having first and second panels that slide relative to one another to extend and retract as the door closes and opens, respectively. The first panel is hinged to the door frame in a traditional manner, and the second panel is fixed to the door frame by a linkage that limits the arc of the second panel. By selecting the location and length of the linkage, the relative movement of the two panels can be predictably controlled to reduce the depth of the door when closed and the length of the door when opened.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a composite panel with a smooth outer surface, ready for painting with or without addition of primer, may be created by constructing a panel layup assembly upon a mold, the panel layup assembly including a composite panel having a core and a resin formulation, and a release film between the mold and the composite panel, where a smooth release surface of the release film is in contact with the composite panel upon construction; initiating curing of the composite panel at a first temperature within a lowermost ten percent of a curing temperature range of the resin formulation; continuing curing of the composite panel at a second temperature above the lowermost ten percent of the curing temperature range; and completing curing of the composite panel at a third temperature below the second temperature.

Abstract: A composite panel is constructed by preparing a panel assembly layup including a first prepreg layer having reinforcement material, a first layer of a resin formulation upon a first outer surface, and a second layer of the resin formulation upon an opposing outer surface, where the first layer is thinner than the second layer, and the first layer is presented toward a mold. The layup includes a core layer directly abutting the second layer. They layup includes a second prepreg layer having a first layer of the resin formulation upon a first outer surface, and a second layer of the resin formulation upon an opposing outer surface, where the first layer is thinner than the second layer, and the second layer directly abuts the core layer. The panel assembly is cured in the mold.

Abstract: An overhead equipment stowage pod comprises a base having a structural material surrounding a central opening. The central opening is open on top and bottom, and the base is fastened to a support structure proximate a ceiling. A replaceable stowage bin is at least partially inserted through the base into the ceiling, and a closeable door is suspended below the stowage bin.

Abstract: A self-contained breathing device for use in fighting fires comprising a hood for covering a wearer's head, a membrane for sealing the hood to create a breathing chamber inside the hood, and a source of oxygen disposed inside the hood. The source of oxygen is connected to the user by a conduit inside of the hood, and another conduit directs user-exhaled carbon dioxide to the source of oxygen. The breathing device includes a visual indicator inside of the hood that reacts to the presence of a gas within the hood and provides visual feedback to the user based on a quantity of the gas present in the hood.

Abstract: A legrest assembly adapted for use with an aircraft passenger seat including a pair of spaced parallel support members adapted to extend forward from the front of the seat, a legrest pivotally supported on ends of the support members configured to pivot from near vertical when stowed to near horizontal when deployed, a brake mechanism for stopping forward deployment of the legrest, and an actuator for driving forward deployment of the legrest.