Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, a flow-through fluid heating unit includes an annular member, and a heating element deposited on an inner surface of the annular member, the heating element including three sub-heating elements, each sub-heating element being connected to a separate conduit for receiving a separate phase of a three phase electrical power source. The heating unit may include a baffle core including at least one channel providing a fluid flow path, the baffle core being disposed within the annular member and proximate to the heating element. First and second end fittings may be disposed at each end of the annular member, each end fitting including a fluid port for allowing the fluid to flow through the annular member. One of the end fittings may be releasably connected to the annular member to provide access for removal of the baffle core.

Abstract: A water heater for an aircraft beverage brewing apparatus includes a three way electrical conduit for conducting electrical power in three separate phases. The heater has a housing with a fluid inlet port at a first removable end piece and a fluid outlet port at a second removable end piece. The hollow cylindrical core incorporates a heating element wound around the core, and the housing includes three resettable temperature sensors at the outlet, each of the three resettable temperature sensors connected to a separate phase of power from the three way electrical conduit.

Abstract: A thermally-actuated flow-restrictor device in an aircraft galley insert is provided that includes a housing formed of first and second flanged fittings. The first fitting includes an outlet port for connection to an aircraft galley insert, and the second fitting includes an inlet port for connection to an aircraft potable water supply. The second fitting also includes a boss surrounding the inlet port. A closure element contained within the housing includes a plurality of metals having different coefficients of thermal expansion. This allows the element to actuate depending upon the temperature of water contacting the closure element. When water having a predetermined temperature contacts the closure element, its surface facing the inlet port becomes convexly positioned proximal to the boss, thereby restricting the backflow of water through the flow-restrictor device. Once the closure element cools, its surface facing the inlet port becomes concave, resulting in normal device operation.

Abstract: A valve assembly has a port selection assembly with an inlet fluid path and a plurality of outlet fluid paths and a servo-driven barrel. The barrel includes a slot that is aligned with the inlet fluid path. The barrel also includes multiple pockets. The valve assembly also includes ball seals, each of which is at least partially disposed within a respective pocket. The rotation of the barrel moves the ball seals to block or unblock one or more of the outlet fluid paths, thereby controlling the flow of fluid from the inlet fluid path, through the slot, and through the outlet fluid path.

Abstract: An aircraft water heating tank air vent valve includes an air vent valve housing having an upper vent valve body and a lower valve adapter sealingly mated together to define an interior chamber. A tubular collar is disposed within the interior chamber between an upper planar valve seat member and a lower notched valve seat member, and a ball float is movable within the tubular collar between first and second positions seated on the upper planar valve seat member or the lower notched valve seat member, respectively. The lower notched valve seat member includes oblique notches and frustoconical projections providing upper shoulders upon which the tubular collar is positioned, and providing outwardly flaring radially inner oblique edges upon which the ball float can be seated.

Abstract: A valve assembly has a port selection assembly with an inlet fluid path and a plurality of outlet fluid paths and a servo-driven barrel. The barrel includes a slot that is aligned with the inlet fluid path. The barrel also includes multiple pockets. The valve assembly also includes ball seals, each of which is at least partially disposed within a respective pocket. The rotation of the barrel moves the ball seals to block or unblock one or more of the outlet fluid paths, thereby controlling the flow of fluid from the inlet fluid path, through the slot, and through the outlet fluid path.

Abstract: A beverage brewing apparatus having a water heating portion and a brewing portion, the water heating portion including a three heating element tank having three heating elements, a three phase power system, and wherein each heating element is powered by a different phase power. Each heating element may operate with a different heating capacity to better control the heating operation, controlled by a processor that manages the brewing apparatus.

Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, a flow-through fluid heating unit includes an annular member, and a heating element deposited on an inner surface of the annular member, the heating element including three sub-heating elements, each sub-heating element being connected to a separate conduit for receiving a separate phase of a three phase electrical power source. The heating unit may include a baffle core including at least one channel providing a fluid flow path, the baffle core being disposed within the annular member and proximate to the heating element. First and second end fittings may be disposed at each end of the annular member, each end fitting including a fluid port for allowing the fluid to flow through the annular member. One of the end fittings may be releasably connected to the annular member to provide access for removal of the baffle core.

Abstract: A thermally-actuated flow-restrictor device in an aircraft galley insert is provided that includes a housing formed of first and second flanged fittings. The first fitting includes an outlet port for connection to an aircraft galley insert, and the second fitting includes an inlet port for connection to an aircraft potable water supply. The second fitting also includes a boss surrounding the inlet port. A closure element contained within the housing includes a plurality of metals having different coefficients of thermal expansion. This allows the element to actuate depending upon the temperature of water contacting the closure element. When water having a predetermined temperature contacts the closure element, its surface facing the inlet port becomes convexly positioned proximal to the boss, thereby restricting the backflow of water through the flow-restrictor device. Once the closure element cools, its surface facing the inlet port becomes concave, resulting in normal device operation.

Abstract: An aircraft water heating tank air vent valve includes an air vent valve housing having an upper vent valve body and a lower valve adapter sealingly mated together to define an interior chamber. A tubular collar is disposed within the interior chamber between an upper planar valve seat member and a lower notched valve seat member, and a ball float is movable within the tubular collar between first and second positions seated on the upper planar valve seat member or the lower notched valve seat member, respectively. The lower notched valve seat member includes oblique notches and frustoconical projections providing upper shoulders upon which the tubular collar is positioned, and providing outwardly flaring radially inner oblique edges upon which the ball float can be seated.

Abstract: A water heater for an aircraft beverage brewing apparatus includes a three way electrical conduit for conducting electrical power in three separate phases. The heater has a housing with a fluid inlet port at a first removable end piece and a fluid outlet port at a second removable end piece. The hollow cylindrical core incorporates a heating element wound around the core, and the housing includes three resettable temperature sensors at the outlet, each of the three resettable temperature sensors connected to a separate phase of power from the three way electrical conduit.

Abstract: A beverage brewing apparatus having a water heating portion and a brewing portion, the water heating portion comprising a three heating element tank having three heating elements, a three phase power system, and wherein each heating element is powered by a different phase power. Each heating element may operate with a different heating capacity to better control the heating operation, controlled by a processor that manages the brewing apparatus.