Abstract: An actuator includes a primary piston and a secondary piston axially movable together in a cylinder assembly; a plurality of chambers comprising: a first chamber, a second chamber, a third chamber, and a fourth chamber, wherein when fluid flows into the first chamber the primary piston extends and when fluid flows into the second chamber the primary piston retracts, wherein an extension fluid force applied by fluid in the third chamber to extend the secondary piston is different from a retraction fluid force applied by fluid in the fourth chamber to retract the secondary piston; and a force-balance chamber configured to receive fluid from the third chamber or the fourth chamber to apply a balancing force on the secondary piston to either oppose fluid force acting on the secondary piston or add to the fluid force acting on the secondary piston, thereby compensating for a difference between the extension fluid force and the retraction fluid force.

Abstract: An actuator includes a primary piston and a secondary piston axially movable together in a cylinder assembly; a plurality of chambers comprising: a first chamber, a second chamber, a third chamber, and a fourth chamber, wherein when fluid flows into the first chamber the primary piston extends and when fluid flows into the second chamber the primary piston retracts, wherein an extension fluid force applied by fluid in the third chamber to extend the secondary piston is different from a retraction fluid force applied by fluid in the fourth chamber to retract the secondary piston; and a force-balance chamber configured to receive fluid from the third chamber or the fourth chamber to apply a balancing force on the secondary piston to either oppose fluid force acting on the secondary piston or add to the fluid force acting on the secondary piston, thereby compensating for a difference between the extension fluid force and the retraction fluid force.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for generation of nitrogen enriched air for inerting aircraft fuels tanks. One embodiment of the present invention includes a duct assembly; a primary heat exchanger; a gas generating system heat exchanger; a first temperature sensor; a second temperature sensor; a controller monitor; a valve; an air separation module assembly having a primary module and a secondary module; at least one flow control orifice; and a pressure sensor. The present invention utilizes a minimal complement of components and streamlined processes, thus minimizing structural and operational costs while optimizing performance and safety features.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for generation of nitrogen enriched air for inerting aircraft fuel tanks. One embodiment of the present invention includes a duct assembly; a primary heat exchanger; a gas generating system heat exchanger; a first temperature sensor; a second temperature sensor; a controller monitor; a valve; an air separation module assembly having a primary module and a secondary module; at least one flow control orifice; and a pressure sensor. The present invention utilizes a minimal complement of components and streamlined processes, thus minimizing structural and operational costs while optimizing performance and safety features.

Abstract: An on-board inert gas generating system (OBIGGS) uses a turbine in order to recover the energy of compression of the nitrogen-enriched product gas. This energy is transferred, through a shaft, to the compressor, which supplies compressed air to the separation membrane. Unlike conventional systems, where there is no means for recovering the energy of the compressed nitrogen enriched product air, the present system provides a cooled nitrogen-enriched gas to be supplied to a fuel tank ullage without losing the energy stored in the compressed nitrogen-enriched product gas.