Abstract: A galley cart bay door latch system serves to secure catering or galley carts, as are used on commercial aircraft, within the aircraft's galley. The system relies on two substantially horizontally disposed latch levers to secure the galley door which in turn restrains a galley cart in position within the galley. The ends of the latch levers are received in a recess formed in the door to secure the door. Raising the latch lever releases the door and positively pushes the door outwardly. The latching configuration allows the doors to be slammed shut without the need to further manipulate the latch levers.

Abstract: A rotary latch assembly for a galley cart compartment door is disclosed comprising a barrel member rotating on a spindle and a handle connected to the barrel member. An interfering block outside the barrel member can prevent rotation of the barrel member when engaged with the barrel member, and be displaced by a lock button diametrically opposed with the interfering block. The handle of the rotary latch bears against the door in a locked position to prevent the door from opening, and the button when depressed releases the barrel member to rotate and the handle to pivot out of the path of the door.

Abstract: A backflow resistant stop valve for an aircraft galley plumbing system comprises a valve body defining an inlet, and inlet chamber, a transfer chamber, an outlet chamber, and an exit. The valve incorporates an anti-backflow device at the exit to prevent backflow, and flow through the body is controlled by a pivoting paddle disposed within the valve body having an upper flap, a spindle, and a lower flap, where the upper flap seals against the inlet chamber and the lower flap seals against the outlet chamber when the paddle is rotated to a first position. The valve utilizes a negative pressure at the outlet chamber that biases the valve closed until a sufficient column of water overcomes the bias.

Abstract: A modular potable water distribution manifold for an aircraft water supply and drainage system includes a tubular element with a first manifold quick connector adapted to mate with a flexible hose connector and having a flow control poppet, a second manifold quick connector having a flow control poppet, the second manifold quick connector adapted mate with a terminating self-venting/self-draining device, and a rotating ferrule that mates the second manifold with the self-venting/self-draining device.

Abstract: A chiller for an aircraft galley beverage cart compartment is disclosed wherein a liquid cooled chiller is located in the cart compartment vertically oriented against a back wall. The chiller engages the carts and circulates chilled air efficiently with a reduced footprint, allowing the depth of the cart compartment to be reduced. The unit includes a proportioning valve to control the amount of fluid through the heat exchanger and a distribution block on the post-cooling side to efficiently route the spent refrigerant.

Abstract: A service cart for an aircraft is disclosed with a housing of carbon fiber reinforced composites forming a multi-compartment carrier, the carrier adapted to hold four standard airline meal carriers. The cart includes at least a pair of cap doors at opposite ends of the cart, each cap door pivoting approximately 270 degrees to bear against a side of the cart, and a plurality of guides on inner walls of the multi-compartment for retaining the standard airline meal carriers. To prevent the doors of the cart from inadvertently opening, the cart also may include a redundant paddle latch system for each door.

Abstract: An aircraft galley plumbing is disclosed comprising water distribution components and assemblies to allow installation in a wet/refrigerated reduced foot print galley. The system includes a single potable water distribution manifold with quick disconnect couplings for the GAINS and built in air bleed devices facilitate rapid drainage and easy installation. The system also includes a compact pressure check valve to control filling operation and drain down of the potable water system. The use of a compact air stop valve and integrated master distribution block (manifold) and water filter system further enhance the system.

Abstract: An insert is configured for anchoring within a cored panel and has a wide flange on one end, a sacrificial cover and threaded pin on its opposite end and a nut captured therein. The panel is prepared by forming a countersunk hole therein and filling or coating such opening with an adhesive. The insert is fitted into the hole such that the flange is positioned against one surface of the panel while the sacrificial cover and threaded pin protrude from the opposite surface. A screw fixture is threaded onto the threaded pin to maintain the insert in place while the adhesive cures. Subsequent removal of the screw fixture and sacrificial cover completes the anchoring process and exposes the nut that is captured within the insert for receipt of an appropriate fastener.

Abstract: A check valve for an aircraft galley plumbing system having a valve body including an inlet for a potable water supply line, and first and second outlet ports leading to a distribution manifold. In a preferred embodiment, quick disconnects that include reverse flow inhibitors seal the valve's output ports. A vertical channel extends through the valve body for draining water through the valve, which is coupled to a pressure line connection port that exerts pressure from the aircraft's pressure system. A piston reciprocating across the vertical channel and biased by a spring is in fluid communication with the pressure line connection port, such that when water pressure is introduced from a pressure line to the connection port of sufficient pressure to collapse said spring, the piston blocks said channel, and when the water pressure is insufficient to collapse said spring then the piston retracts to open said channel.

Abstract: A protective shell for an aircraft galley wall is disclosed having an above work deck area and a below work deck area, the protective shell having an outer skin, an intermediate layer comprising vacuum insulated panels, and an interior layer comprising carbon fiber composite having a thickness that is greater than a thickness of the intermediate layer. In a preferred embodiment, the protective shell also includes an acoustic insulating layer made of an open cell acoustic foam that absorbs galley noise.

Abstract: An aircraft galley is disclosed having a stand-alone beverage station and a stand-alone food preparation station. Each station is equipped with extendable work decks and integrated equipment for plug and play exchange. The beverage station is equipped with brewing stations and a top loading refuse compartment, and the food preparation station is configured with multiple ovens and refrigeration units. The galley further includes a side refrigeration unit which can be used as a self-service beverage area for passengers, and both stations may further be configured with LED displays for communicating with passengers.

Abstract: A check valve for an aircraft galley plumbing system comprises a valve body including an inlet for a potable water supply line, and first and second outlet ports leading to a distribution manifold. In a preferred embodiment, quick disconnects that include reverse flow inhibitors seal the valve's output ports. A vertical channel extends through the valve body for draining water through the valve, which is coupled to a pressure line connection port that exerts pressure from the aircraft's pressure system. A piston reciprocating across the vertical channel and biased by a spring is in fluid communication with the pressure line connection port, such that when a water pressure is introduced from a water pressure line to the pressure line connection port of sufficient to collapse said spring, the piston blocks said channel, and when the water pressure is insufficient to collapse said spring then the piston retracts to open said channel, allowing fluid to pass thereinthrough.

Abstract: An insert is configured for anchoring within a cored panel and has a wide flange on one end, a sacrificial cover and threaded pin on its opposite end and a nut captured therein. The panel is prepared by forming a countersunk hole therein and filling or coating such opening with an adhesive. The insert is fitted into the hole such that the flange is positioned against one surface of the panel while the sacrificial cover and threaded pin protrude from the opposite surface. A screw fixture is threaded onto the threaded pin to maintain the insert in place while the adhesive cures. Subsequent removal of the screw fixture and sacrificial cover completes the anchoring process and exposes the nut that is captured within the insert for receipt of an appropriate fastener.

Abstract: A chilled air plenum system for aircraft galleys adapted to be connected to a food cart bay for a food cart includes an air return plenum having a return airflow duct with a plurality of midline primary apertures and a plurality of secondary lateral side edge apertures for receiving return airflow from the food cart. The return airflow duct also includes a central lower resilient back stop and lateral side edge resilient back stops to prevent a cart from impacting the rear of the food cart bay. The return air plenum cab be at least partially integrated into a galley back wall structure.

Abstract: A universal modular ducting apparatus for chilled aircraft galleys for either air over or air through carts has modular primary supply and return duct assemblies. Outlet port connection adapters are configured to connect chiller supply air duct outlet ports to either air through or air over configurations of aircraft galley food carts. The supply and return duct assemblies are internally insulated, and may be made from thermoformed plastic, prepreg, or a carbon fiber reinforced composite. Supply duct upper and lower portions may be connected by a connection adapter, and return duct upper and lower portions may be connected by a connection adapter, allowing the supply duct upper portion and the return duct upper portion to overlap.

Abstract: A device for reversing chiller airflow in an aircraft galley includes an air bypass port connected between a supply airflow duct and a return airflow duct, and an air recirculation bypass flap is movable between a closed position allowing normal airflow circulation through the supply airflow duct and an open position blocking the supply airflow duct and diverting chilled supply airflow to the return airflow duct for recirculation. The air recirculation bypass flap is electrically actuated by a solenoid responsive to a bay door position detector.

Abstract: An apparatus for air-through cooling of aircraft galley food carts includes one or more chilled galley food cart bays and one or more galley chiller air supply and return ducting assemblies including a supply airflow duct and a bifurcated return airflow duct. Airflow balance baffles may be placed at the air return outlet portions and the supply airflow duct inlet portion, and interfaces between galley food carts and supply outlet ports and return inlet ports resilient may include resilient or insulated seals, and spring loaded sealing flaps opened by contact with a portion of a galley food cart.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling airflow in a duct of an aircraft galley chiller includes first and second legs having ends connected together to form a vane, and free ends configured to be attached within the duct. A free end of one first leg may have a beveled edge, and the free end of the other leg may have a flat edge, and each leg may have one or more score lines to aid cutting lengths of the first and second legs. The legs are connected together at a predetermined fixed angle, or at an adjustable angle, such as by an adjustable hinge. A pair of opposing vanes may be attached within opposing sides of the duct to form a venturi within the duct.

Abstract: A apparatus and system for filtering wastewater from a basin is disclosed, wherein the apparatus prevents backflow of waste water, provides easy access for cleaning and replacing strainers, and a viewing window. The apparatus also provides additional ports for draining the apparatus.

Abstract: A service cart for an aircraft is disclosed with a housing of carbon fiber reinforced composites forming a multi-compartment carrier, the carrier adapted to hold four standard airline meal carriers. The cart includes at least a pair of cap doors at opposite ends of the cart, each cap door pivoting approximately 270 degrees to bear against a side of the cart, and a plurality of guides on inner walls of the multi-compartment for retaining the standard airline meal carriers. To prevent the doors of the cart from inadvertently opening, the cart also may include a redundant paddle latch system for each door.