Abstract: A method for compacting trash while in-flight includes moving a storage chamber into a chamber operating position within a dead space inaccessible from in front of a galley, securing the storage chamber in the chamber operating position, executing a compaction cycle, and removing the storage chamber into a chamber maintenance position in which compacted trash is removable from the storage chamber accessible from in front of the galley.

Abstract: A refrigerator-oven combination for an aircraft galley food service system includes a housing with a thermally insulated compartment, a heating device for heating the compartment in a heating mode, and a refrigeration device for cooling the compartment in a refrigeration mode. The heating device includes an electric heater and a steam injection valve disposed within the compartment for heating at least a portion of an interior of the compartment. A temperature sensor disposed within the compartment measures a temperature in the compartment during the heating mode. The refrigeration device may be a chiller that supplies chilled fluid to the compartment, or a separate refrigeration unit which is mounted to the compartment. A control unit connected to the steam injection valve, electric heater, temperature sensor, and refrigeration device is configured to monitor and control the temperature within the compartment during the heating and refrigeration modes.

Abstract: A thermoelectric cooling device comprises a liquid heat exchanger, at least two air heat exchangers, and at least two thermoelectric modules. The liquid heat exchanger includes a liquid circulation path through which liquid coolant flows to exchange heat with the liquid heat exchanger. Air flows over each of the air heat exchangers to exchange heat with the respective air heat exchanger. A first thermoelectric module is thermally coupled on a first side with a first side of the liquid heat exchanger and on a second side with a first air heat exchanger to transfer heat between the air heat exchanger and the liquid heat exchanger. A second thermoelectric module is thermally coupled on a first side with a second side of the liquid heat exchanger and on a second side with the second air heat exchanger to transfer heat between the air heat exchanger and the liquid heat exchanger.

Abstract: An exemplary refrigeration system for cooling food or beverages may use a liquid cooling system of a vehicle. The refrigeration system may include a compartment in which the food or beverages may be placed and removed, a chilled liquid coolant system having a connection through which liquid coolant is received from the liquid cooling system of the vehicle, and a heat exchanger operationally coupled with the chilled liquid coolant system and the compartment to transfer heat from the compartment into the liquid coolant. The refrigeration system may also include a second chilled coolant system through which a second coolant flows and a second heat exchanger operationally coupled with the second chilled coolant system and the compartment to transfer heat from the compartment. The chilled liquid coolant system and the second chilled coolant system may operate together as a cascade cooling system.

Abstract: A storage compartment cooling apparatus includes a liquid circulation system that circulates a liquid coolant, a heat exchanger that cools an interior of a storage compartment using the liquid coolant, a bypass line through which the liquid coolant selectively bypasses the heat exchanger, one or more valves that controllably increase and decrease the flow of the liquid coolant through the heat exchanger and the bypass line, and a controller that controls the one or more valves. A storage compartment cooling system includes a liquid coolant distribution loop that distributes a chilled liquid coolant to a plurality of the storage compartment cooling apparatuses coupled in series and a recirculation cooling device that includes a chiller that chills the liquid coolant to have a temperature lower than an ambient temperature and a circulation unit that circulates the chilled liquid coolant through the liquid coolant distribution loop.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for compacting trash are disclosed. A disclosed example trash compacting system includes a trash receptacle, a collection bin, a compaction bin proximal to the collection bin, having a receiving opening to receive trash via the trash receptacle, and having an ejection opening through which compacted trash is ejected into the collection bin, and a compactor mechanism operatively coupled with the compaction bin to compact the trash within the compaction bin.

Abstract: An aircraft galley system is configured with a GAIN to GAIN network that allows for data exchange and communication between each GAIN on the system. By omitting reliance on a galley network controller for acquisition of GAIN data, the present system is simpler, lighter, and more cost-effective. Each GAIN may be polled for data by any other GAIN, such as via a data port, dedicated bus, or wireless connection. The data acquisition between the GAIN and a data collection and display device may be wired in network, wired out of network, or through a wireless link such as a Wi-Fi network.

Abstract: A refrigerator-oven combination for an aircraft galley food service system includes a housing with a thermally insulated compartment, a heating device for heating the compartment in a heating mode, and a refrigeration device for cooling the compartment in a refrigeration mode.

Abstract: A trash compaction system includes a trash receptacle through which trash is input; a compaction chamber in which trash is compacted; and a compactor mechanism operatively coupled with the compaction chamber to compact trash in a direction generally perpendicular to a direction in which the compaction chamber receives the trash. The compaction chamber has a closeable receiving opening in communication with the trash receptacle to receive trash into the compaction chamber. The closeable receiving opening is closeable by a movable cover positioned between the trash receptacle and the compaction chamber. The compaction chamber also has a closeable ejection opening through which the compacted trash is ejected.

Abstract: A thermoelectric cooling device comprises a liquid heat exchanger, at least two air heat exchangers, and at least two thermoelectric modules. The liquid heat exchanger includes a liquid circulation path through which liquid coolant flows to exchange heat with the liquid heat exchanger. Air flows over each of the air heat exchangers to exchange heat with the respective air heat exchanger. A first thermoelectric module is thermally coupled on a first side with a first side of the liquid heat exchanger and on a second side with a first air heat exchanger to transfer heat between the air heat exchanger and the liquid heat exchanger. A second thermoelectric module is thermally coupled on a first side with a second side of the liquid heat exchanger and on a second side with the second air heat exchanger to transfer heat between the air heat exchanger and the liquid heat exchanger.

Abstract: A refrigerator-oven combination for an aircraft galley food service system includes a housing with a thermally insulated compartment, a heating device for heating the compartment in a heating mode, and a refrigeration device for cooling the compartment in a refrigeration mode.

Abstract: An air inlet grille for an appliance onboard an aircraft includes a screen having an inside-facing surface and an outside-facing surface, a plurality of airflow openings formed within the screen between the inside-facing surface and the outside-facing surface, and a plurality of tubes disposed on the inside-facing surface of the screen where openings on one end of the plurality of tubes are aligned with the plurality of airflow openings. A length of the plurality of tubes is at least twice a diameter of the plurality of airflow openings with which the plurality of tubes is aligned.

Abstract: A space-saving in-flight trash compactor, comprising a trash chute, a compactor mechanism, and a storage chamber that includes an interface for the trash chute. Trash deposited in the trash chute is channeled into the storage chamber. Either or both of the compactor mechanism and the storage chamber are rotatably attached to one or two axles. During maintenance or trash removal, the compactor mechanism or storage chamber may swivel around an axle to permit ease of access.

Abstract: A dynamic chilled mini-bar includes: a cover; a movable compartment translatable to expose an interior thereof from behind the cover; and a cooling device operable to cool the interior of the movable compartment. A piece of integrated entertainment equipment in a vehicle includes: a dynamic chilled mini-bar movably installed on the integrated entertainment equipment; and an actuator coupled with at least one of a side of the integrated entertainment equipment and the movable compartment, the actuator being operable to translate the movable compartment. A method of operating a dynamic chilled mini-bar includes: receiving an input signal to translate a movable compartment of the dynamic chilled mini-bar from a first position to a second position with respect to a cover of the dynamic chilled mini-bar; and linearly translating the movable compartment to the second position according to the input signal.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a refrigeration system that cools a compartment includes a compressor, a condenser, a condenser fan, a condenser fan motor, an evaporator, an evaporator fan, an evaporator fan motor, and tubing adapted to transport refrigerant through the refrigeration system in a circulation order from the compressor to the condenser to the evaporator and back to the compressor again. The evaporator fan may be positioned in an air inlet path to the evaporator. The evaporator fan motor may be outside a chilled air circuit of the evaporator.

Abstract: A controller for a thermoelectric cooling system comprises a sensor input that receives input from a sensor that measures a performance parameter of a thermoelectric cooling system. The thermoelectric cooling system comprises a plurality of thermoelectric devices electrically coupled in a combination of in series and in parallel with one another and electrically driven by a common driver. The controller also comprises a voltage control signal output, a processor, and a non-transitory memory having stored thereon a program executable by the processor to perform a method of controlling the thermoelectric cooling system. The method comprises receiving sensor data from the sensor input, determining a parameter of the voltage control signal based on the input sensor data, and transmitting a voltage control signal having the parameter to the driver to control heat transfer by the plurality of thermoelectric devices.

Abstract: A space-saving in-flight trash compactor, comprising a trash chute, a compactor mechanism, and a storage chamber that includes an interface for the trash chute. Trash deposited in the trash chute is channeled into the storage chamber. Either or both of the compactor mechanism and the storage chamber are rotatably attached to one or two axles. During maintenance or trash removal, the compactor mechanism or storage chamber may swivel around an axle to permit ease of access.

Abstract: A storage compartment cooling apparatus includes a liquid circulation system that circulates a liquid coolant, a heat exchanger that cools an interior of a storage compartment using the liquid coolant, a bypass line through which the liquid coolant selectively bypasses the heat exchanger, one or more valves that controllably increase and decrease the flow of the liquid coolant through the heat exchanger and the bypass line, and a controller that controls the one or more valves. A storage compartment cooling system includes a liquid coolant distribution loop that distributes a chilled liquid coolant to a plurality of the storage compartment cooling apparatuses coupled in series and a recirculation cooling device that includes a chiller that chills the liquid coolant to have a temperature lower than an ambient temperature and a circulation unit that circulates the chilled liquid coolant through the liquid coolant distribution loop.

Abstract: A refrigerator-oven combination for an aircraft galley food service system includes a housing with a thermally insulated compartment, a heating device for heating the compartment in a heating mode, and a refrigeration device for cooling the compartment in a refrigeration mode.

Abstract: A trash compaction system includes a trash receptacle through which trash is input; a compaction chamber in which trash is compacted, the compaction chamber having a closeable receiving opening in communication with the trash receptacle to receive trash into the compaction chamber, the compaction chamber also having closeable ejection opening through which the compacted trash is ejected; and a compactor mechanism operatively coupled with the compaction chamber to compact trash in a direction generally perpendicular to a direction in which the compaction chamber receives the trash.