Abstract: A device for distributing air in a cargo aircraft includes using an air distribution system which is connected to a cargo deck. The air distribution system includes a source for bleed air, at least one air conditioning unit for treating the bleed air, a mixing unit which receives an air supply of recirculation air exiting the cargo deck and treated bleed air from the air conditioning unit, and at least one shut-off valve between the mixing unit and the cargo deck in order to interrupt or completely release the air supply to the cargo deck. A control unit establishes a desired air volume balance for the current operating state of the air distribution system and adjusts the flow volume through the at least one air conditioning unit such that the pressure prevailing in the mixing unit remains at a constant, predetermined value for all operating states.

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.