Abstract: According to an embodiment, an aircraft comprises a fuselage including composite skin; an enclosure located inside the fuselage; a rechargeable battery disposed inside the enclosure; and a ventilation conduit extending from the enclosure to an opening in the composite skin, the ventilation conduit including: a first portion having a first end coupled to the enclosure and a second end spaced from the composite skin, and a second portion extending between the composite skin and the second end of the first portion, the second portion comprising an electrically non-conductive material.

Abstract: An integrated cargo-fire-suppression agent distribution system is disclosed. The integrated cargo-fire-suppression agent distribution system comprises a shut-off valve operable to close such that an airflow is blocked, and vehicle ventilation means operable to distribute a fire-suppression agent if the airflow is blocked.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an aircraft comprises a fuselage including composite skin; an enclosure located inside the fuselage; a rechargeable battery disposed inside the enclosure; and a ventilation conduit extending from the enclosure to an opening in the composite skin, the ventilation conduit including: a first portion having a first end coupled to the enclosure and a second end spaced from the composite skin, and a second portion extending between the composite skin and the second end of the first portion, the second portion comprising an electrically non-conductive material.

Abstract: An aircraft comprises composite skin having an opening, and a ventilation conduit having an end portion that extends to the opening in the composite skin. The conduit is made of metal except for the end portion, which functions as an electrical insulator.

Abstract: An aircraft comprises a rechargeable battery including an array of battery cells, and means for mitigating consequences of failure of the rechargeable battery due to aircraft operating cycles.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a rechargeable battery susceptible to thermal runaway, and a metal enclosure for the battery. The enclosure is configured to mitigate battery failure consequences resulting from thermal runaway.

Abstract: A hazardous condition detection system for an enclosure includes at least three detectors and a controller. Each detector is mounted within the enclosure. Each detector is configured to output a signal representing a first lower level of severity (a pre-alarm threshold) and a signal representing a second higher level of severity (an alarm threshold). The controller monitors the operational status of each of the detectors. In a first mode when all the detectors are operational, the controller generates an alarm signal when at least two detectors output a signal at the alarm threshold level. In a second mode when at least one of the at least three detectors are inoperative and at least two of the at least three detectors are operational, the controller generates an alarm signal when one detector outputs a signal at the alarm threshold level and another detector outputs a signal at the pre-alarm threshold level.

Abstract: A scalable cargo-fire-suppression agent distribution system and method is disclosed. A supply source unit subset of a set of fire-suppression agent supply source units is selected based on an operation condition to provide a selected supply source unit subset, and a fire-suppression agent from the selected supply source unit subset is distributed during the operation condition.

Abstract: A scalable cargo-fire-suppression agent distribution system and method is disclosed. A supply source unit subset of a set of fire-suppression agent supply source units is selected based on an operation condition to provide a selected supply source unit subset, and a fire-suppression agent from the selected supply source unit subset is distributed during the operation condition.

Abstract: A scalable cargo-fire-suppression agent distribution system and method is disclosed. A supply source unit subset of a set of fire-suppression agent supply source units is selected based on an operation condition to provide a selected supply source unit subset, and a fire-suppression agent from the selected supply source unit subset is distributed during the operation condition.

Abstract: Systems for analyzing effects of cargo fire on primary aircraft structure are provided. A particular system includes a processor and a memory accessible to the processor. The memory includes instructions executable by the processor to access a thermal profile of a suppressed fire in a physical model of a cargo compartment of an aircraft. The instructions are also executable to analyze heat transfer resulting from applying the thermal profile of the suppressed fire to a structure of the aircraft surrounding the cargo compartment to determine a predicted temperature reached by one or more parts of the structure surrounding the cargo compartment as a result of the suppressed fire. The instructions are also executable to generate an output including the predicted temperature reached by the one or more parts of the structure surrounding the cargo compartment.

Abstract: A scalable cargo-fire-suppression agent distribution system and method is disclosed. A supply source unit subset of a set of fire-suppression agent supply source units is selected based on an operation condition to provide a selected supply source unit subset, and a fire-suppression agent from the selected supply source unit subset is distributed during the operation condition.

Abstract: An integrated cargo-fire-suppression agent distribution system is disclosed. The integrated cargo-fire-suppression agent distribution system comprises a shut-off valve operable to close such that an airflow is blocked, and vehicle ventilation means operable to distribute a fire-suppression agent if the airflow is blocked.

Abstract: Systems for analyzing effects of cargo fire on primary aircraft structure are provided. A particular system includes a processor and a memory accessible to the processor. The memory includes instructions executable by the processor to access a thermal profile of a suppressed fire in a physical model of a cargo compartment of an aircraft. The instructions are also executable to analyze heat transfer resulting from applying the thermal profile of the suppressed fire to a structure of the aircraft surrounding the cargo compartment to determine a predicted temperature reached by one or more parts of the structure surrounding the cargo compartment as a result of the suppressed fire. The instructions are also executable to generate an output including the predicted temperature reached by the one or more parts of the structure surrounding the cargo compartment.

Abstract: Embodiments provide systems and methods for analyzing effects of cargo fire on primary aircraft structure. A thermal profile of a suppressed fire in a cargo compartment of an aircraft is developed. The thermal profile is applied to a heat transfer model of structure of an aircraft, and structural integrity of the modeled structure is analyzed. The thermal profile may be developed by introducing a fire in a physical model of a cargo compartment instrumented with temperature sensors and determining profiles of temperature versus time. A heat transfer model of aircraft structure is built, boundary conditions are input into the heat transfer model, and the model is run. When analysis of the modeled structure determined structural integrity to be insufficient to satisfy flight certification requirements, structural parameters are modified, the thermal profile is applied to a heat transfer model of the modified structure, and the analysis is repeated.

Abstract: Embodiments provide systems and methods for analyzing effects of cargo fire on primary aircraft structure. A thermal profile of a suppressed fire in a cargo compartment of an aircraft is developed. The thermal profile is applied to a heat transfer model of structure of an aircraft, and structural integrity of the modeled structure is analyzed. The thermal profile may be developed by introducing a fire in a physical model of a cargo compartment instrumented with temperature sensors and determining profiles of temperature versus time. A heat transfer model of aircraft structure is built, boundary conditions are input into the heat transfer model, and the model is run. When analysis of the modeled structure determined structural integrity to be insufficient to satisfy flight certification requirements, structural parameters are modified, the thermal profile is applied to a heat transfer model of the modified structure, and the analysis is repeated.

Abstract: A detection system is provided for detecting at least one hazardous condition in an enclosure including a ventilation system, where the ventilation system is capable of operating in either an on or off mode. The system includes at least one detector capable of detecting at least one level representative of the severity of the hazardous conditions within the enclosure, where each level is associated with a pre-alarm threshold and an alarm threshold that is higher than the pre-alarm threshold. The detection system also includes a controller capable of operating the ventilation system in the off or on mode when at least one level detected by the detectors is above or below the respective pre-alarm threshold, respectively. The controller is also capable of reporting the hazardous condition when the at least one level is above or below the respective alarm threshold, respectively.

Abstract: A detection system is provided for detecting at least one hazardous condition in an enclosure including a ventilation system, where the ventilation system is capable of operating in either an on or off mode. The system includes at least one detector capable of detecting at least one level representative of the severity of the hazardous conditions within the enclosure, where each level is associated with a pre-alarm threshold and an alarm threshold that is higher than the pre-alarm threshold. The detection system also includes a controller capable of operating the ventilation system in the off or on mode when at least one level detected by the detectors is above or below the respective pre-alarm threshold, respectively. The controller is also capable of reporting the hazardous condition when the at least one level is above or below the respective alarm threshold, respectively.