Abstract: A method for efficient operation of an environmental control system having a plurality of air cycle machines includes disabling operation of a first air cycle machine from the plurality of air cycle machines, enabling operation of one or more additional air cycle machines from the plurality of air cycle machines, monitoring at least one operating characteristic of the environmental control system, and resuming operation of the first air cycle machine upon determining that a condition has been satisfied based on the at least one operating characteristic of the environmental control system.

Abstract: A method for providing a flow control system for an aircraft. A compressor is removed from an existing air cycle machine, along with compressor ducting that is connected to a primary stage outlet of the heat exchanger and a secondary stage inlet of the heat exchanger in the existing air cycle machine. A first connector duct is provided and connected to the primary stage outlet of the heat exchanger and the secondary stage inlet of the heat exchanger. The turbine is removed from the existing air cycle machine, and a second connector duct is provided and connected to the upstream turbine duct directly and the downstream turbine duct.

Abstract: A method for providing a flow control system for an aircraft. A compressor is removed from an existing air cycle machine, along with compressor ducting that is connected to a primary stage outlet of the heat exchanger and a secondary stage inlet of the heat exchanger in the existing air cycle machine. A first connector duct is provided and connected to the primary stage outlet of the heat exchanger and the secondary stage inlet of the heat exchanger. The turbine is removed from the existing air cycle machine, and a second connector duct is provided and connected to the upstream turbine duct directly and the downstream turbine duct.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting air conditioning coolant lines. The apparatus comprises a coupler body, a coolant line, a flexible annular seal, a nut, and a deformable annular retainer. The coupler body has a passageway extending therethrough and a coolant line is disposed at least partially within the passageway. A flexible annular seal is disposed within the passageway in the coupler body for sealingly engaging the coolant line. The nut receives the coolant line therein and threadably engages the coupler body. A deformable annular retainer is disposed on the coolant line for engagement with the nut and the coupler body, wherein the threadable engagement of the nut with the coupler body urges the deformable annular retainer into a sealing engagement with the coupler body and the coolant line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting air conditioning coolant lines. The apparatus comprises a coupler body, a coolant line, a flexible annular seal, a nut, and a deformable annular retainer. The coupler body has a passageway extending therethrough and a coolant line has an end portion disposed at least partially within the passageway. A flexible annular seal is disposed within the passageway in the coupler body for sealingly engaging the deformable annular retainer. The nut receives the coolant line therein and threadedly engages the coupler body. The deformable annular retainer engages with the nut and the coupler body, and the end portion of the coolant line is disposed within the deformable annular retainer, wherein the threaded engagement of the nut with the coupler body urges the deformable annular retainer into a sealing engagement with the coupler body and the coolant line.

Abstract: An aircraft exhaust vent assembly for venting an exhaust gas through a window opening formed in an airplane fuselage. The aircraft exhaust vent assembly has an enclosure connected to the airplane fuselage and at least partially disposed within the window opening. An inlet is formed in the enclosure and connectable to an exhaust gas source for directing the exhaust gas into the enclosure. An outlet is formed in the enclosure for venting said exhaust gas to the exterior of the airplane fuselage. An outlet flap is connected to the enclosure for movement between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the outlet flap substantially seals the outlet in the enclosure when the exhaust gas is not supplied to the enclosure. In the second position, the outlet flap does not seal the outlet in the enclosure to allow for venting of the exhaust gas to the exterior of the airplane fuselage.

Abstract: A power adapter for an aircraft. The aircraft has an electrical system and an auxiliary electrical system disposed thereon, wherein the auxiliary electrical system is not integrated with the electrical system. The power adapter has a body portion, a first connector terminal disposed on the body portion for receiving electrical power from an external power source, a second connector terminal disposed on the body portion and electrically connected to the first connector terminal for supplying electrical power to the electrical system of the aircraft, and a third connector terminal electrically connected to the first connector terminal for supplying electrical power to the auxiliary electrical system.

Abstract: A fluid line coupling apparatus comprising a first enclosure and a second enclosure. The first enclosure has a first passageway extending therethrough and a piston slidably disposed therein. The piston is movable between a closed position, wherein the first passageway is blocked by the piston, and an open position, wherein the first passageway is not blocked by the piston. The second enclosure has a second passageway extending therethrough and a collar slidably disposed therein. The collar is movable between the closed position, wherein the second passageway is blocked by the collar, and the open position, wherein the second passageway is not blocked by the collar. The first and second enclosures are engageable such that the front surface of the piston and the front surface of the collar lie in a substantially common plane when the piston and the collar are in their closed position.

Abstract: A union coupler assembly for coolant lines comprising a coupler body, a first coolant line end portion, and a second coolant line end portion. The coupler body has a passageway extending between first and second ends, two tapered annular grooves, a snap ring disposed within each tapered annular groove, and a plurality of o-rings seated in corresponding annular grooves. The coolant line end portions are fabricated from metal and have tapered ends and grooves formed in their outer surfaces. The coolant line end portions are movable between an engaged position, wherein the snap rings engage the grooves in the coolant line end portions, and a disengaged position, wherein the snap rings do not engage the grooves in the coolant line end portions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a power cylinder apparatus for varying actuation forces applied to a workpiece. The present invention provides an enclosure having a piston rod connectable to a workpiece and slidably disposed within an enclosure. The piston rod moves between a retracted position, wherein the piston rod is retracted within the enclosure, and an extended position, wherein the piston rod extends outwardly from the enclosure. A piston is slidably disposed on the piston rod for movement between the retracted position and the extended position. A bushing is provided within the enclosure for slidably supporting the piston rod and positively stopping the piston in the extended position. The piston rod and piston have varying surface areas substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement such that varying actuation forces may be provided to the workpiece through a supply of a constant fluid pressure.

Abstract: A ballistic vent apparatus for use in a cockpit door of an aircraft to provide venting and communication between the cockpit and the cabin of an aircraft while preventing bullets and/or splinters from passing through the ballistic vent apparatus. The present invention provides a frame having a U-shaped cross-section adaptable to receive a cross-section of the cockpit door of the aircraft. A pair of opposing and substantially similar supports are connected to the frame, and each of the supports has a plurality of longitudinally spaced slots formed therein in a substantially parallel manner. A plurality of ballistic vent angles extend through the slots of the supports and are connected to the supports. A ballistic panel is connected to the frame and extends along a back side of the ballistic vent angles to prevent bullets and/or splinters from passing through the ballistic vent angles. The entire ballistic vent apparatus is fabricated from a ballistic material such as stainless steel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting a condenser of a cooling system of an aircraft to permit overboard evacuation of residual heat created by the cooling system of the aircraft. The present invention provides an enclosure mounted to the aircraft wherein the enclosure provides an air inlet and an air outlet. The condenser of the cooling system is mounted within the enclosure in communication with the air inlet and air outlet of the enclosures. At least one powered impeller is mounted within the enclosure for directing air through the air inlet, across the condenser, and out the air outlet of the enclosure.

Abstract: An aircraft vent and cargo door locking mechanism for ensuring the opening, closing, and locking of a cargo door in a cargo door opening formed in an aircraft fuselage. A latch assembly latches the cargo door to the fuselage, and the latch assembly moves between a latched position, wherein the cargo door is closed, and an unlatched position, wherein the cargo door may be opened. A locking assembly locks the latch assembly by moving between a locked position, wherein the latch assembly is maintained in the latched position, and an unlocked position, wherein the latch assembly may move to the unlatched position.