Abstract: A vehicle surface disinfectant system includes a lighting module having at least one ultra-violet (UV) light element and at least one visible light element. The UV light element(s) and the visible light element(s) may be at least partially separately electrically actuated for the visible light element(s) to emit visible light while the UV light element(s) is off. The lighting module may be inserted into a lighting receptacle in an interior of a vehicle.

Abstract: A safety belt is intended to be installed on an aircraft seat and includes a first part and a second part which are able to be joined together by means of a buckle to hold the passenger on the seat. The safety belt may also include a status detection system able to transmit information relating to the fastening status of the safety belt, a presence detection system able to transmit information relating to the presence of a passenger wearing the safety belt, and/or a communications module, notably wireless, able to transmit information relating to the fastening of the safety belt and/or to the presence of a passenger wearing the safety belt.

Abstract: Alternate manners of utilizing areas of, principally, cargo areas of commercial passenger aircraft are described. These manners of utilizing preferably occur during cruise or other non-TTL portions of flight and provide passengers with additional opportunities to move, shop, meet, relax, bathe, exercise, cook, eat, work, or otherwise engage in activities conventionally unavailable or difficult to perform while on-board commercial aircraft. They likewise may provide opportunities to generate additional revenue from passengers without necessarily adding seats. Equipment and structures permitting these uses of the cargo areas as lower deck cabins also are detailed.

Abstract: A safety belt is intended to be installed on an aircraft seat and includes a first part and a second part which are able to be joined together by means of a buckle to hold the passenger on the seat. The safety belt may also include a status detection system able to transmit information relating to the fastening status of the safety belt, a presence detection system able to transmit information relating to the presence of a passenger wearing the safety belt, and/or a communications module, notably wireless, able to transmit information relating to the fastening of the safety belt and/or to the presence of a passenger wearing the safety belt.

Abstract: Disclosed is an aircraft resource management system. The system may include at least one fuel cell cluster having at least one fuel cell system configured to receive and convert a hydrogen input comprising hydrogen and an oxygen input comprising a fluid having an initial oxygen content so as to yield a number of products. The products can include water, thermal energy, an oxygen-depleted product comprising the fluid having a second oxygen content lower than the initial oxygen content, and electrical power. The system may include at least one load cluster with at least one load configured to utilize at least one product of the fuel cell cluster. The system may compare a demand level of the load cluster with a supply level of the fuel cell cluster and manage operating levels of the fuel cell cluster based at least in part on the comparison.

Abstract: Described are power management systems having at least one fuel cell system, a power distribution unit, at least one galley insert, a galley network controller, a control panel, and/or at least one battery pack. The power management system compares a power output from the power distribution unit to a maximum load level and/or to a minimum load level, instructs the galley network controller to cycle the galley insert off and/or set an operation of the galley insert to a lower power consumption level when the power output approaches and/or is above the maximum load level, and instructs the galley network controller to cycle the galley insert on and/or set the operation of the galley insert to a higher power consumption level when the power output approaches and/or is below the minimum load level.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for disinfection of aircraft galleys and lavatories and other surfaces. The embodiments may use UV light sources and/or a disinfection unit powered by a fuel cell or other external power source.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for allowing use of what has traditionally been a cargo area of a passenger aircraft to be used as a lower deck passenger cabin. Various modifications to the aircraft are described, as well as various features to be added in order to enhance the passenger experience. For example, there may be provided a lowered technical floor (32), stairs or other passageways (50) provided at both ends of the lower deck cabin, a window replacement technique, an alternative way of storing cabin luggage, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide improved layouts that can increase space on-board aircraft and other passenger transport vehicles. The improved layouts may include two galley sections installed on an aircraft having a centerline and curved outer sidewalls. The first galley section can be positioned so that its longitudinal axis generally aligns with one of the outer sidewalls of the aircraft, and the second galley section can be positioned so that its longitudinal axis generally aligns with the longitudinal axis of the first galley. This can create a space along a rear side of the second galley section. The created space may be used for any number of options.

Abstract: A monitoring system to be installed in a cabin (100a-100c) of an aircraft (100) or spacecraft for passenger transportation comprises at least one imaging device and at least one output device. Information displayed by the output device comprises indication of whether a passenger seat (110) in the cabin is occupied or empty. For more reliable information, several types of imaging devices may be used within the system, in particular selected among a visible light camera, a near-infrared lighting source combined with a near-infrared camera, a thermal camera, and a range imaging device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an aircraft resource management system. The system may include at least one fuel cell cluster having at least one fuel cell system configured to receive and convert a hydrogen input comprising hydrogen and an oxygen input comprising a fluid having an initial oxygen content so as to yield a number of products. The products can include water, thermal energy, an oxygen-depleted product comprising the fluid having a second oxygen content lower than the initial oxygen content, and electrical power. The system may include at least one load cluster with at least one load configured to utilize at least one product of the fuel cell cluster. The system may compare a demand level of the load cluster with a supply level of the fuel cell cluster and manage operating levels of the fuel cell cluster based at least in part on the comparison.

Abstract: Described are fuel cell/inerting systems (12, 20) having at least one fuel cell system (10), at least one dryer coupled en (26) to a fuel tank (40), at least one ODA flow selector valve (28) having a first outlet port coupled to a cargo bay (38), and a second outlet port coupled to the dryer (26), and a controller (36). The fuel cell/inerting system detects an amount of ODA output from the fuel cell system and transmits a signal to the ODA flow selector valve instructing the ODA flow selector valve to open both outlet ports when the controller determines that the amount of ODA output is sufficient to supply the cargo bay (38) and the fuel tank (40) or close one of the two outlet ports when the controller determines that the amount of ODA output is insufficient to supply the cargo bay and the fuel tank.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to removable storage for hydrogen networks on-board an aircraft, aerospace vehicles, or other passenger transport vehicles. They are particularly related to such vehicles that use a hydrogen network in order to support a fuel cell system, more scecifically it discloses an interchangeable hydrogen storage mounted in a trolley or in a cradle for a plane for onboard applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel cell fluid purification system. The fuel cell fluid purification system can include a fuel cell system configured to receive a hydrogen input comprising hydrogen, receive an oxygen input comprising a first fluid having an initial concentration of oxygen, and convert the hydrogen input and the oxygen input so as to yield a number of outputs. The outputs can include a water output comprising water, a heat output comprising heat, an oxygen-depleted output comprising the first fluid having a concentration of oxygen lower than the initial concentration, and an electric output comprising electrical power. The fuel cell fluid purification system can also include a purification system configured to purify at least one of the oxygen input, the water output, or the oxygen-depleted output.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to oxygen/air supply systems and methods for use with fuel cell system applications on-board passenger transportation vehicles, such as aircraft or other aerospace vehicles, ground vehicles, or stationary applications for which oxygen and/or air has to be supplied to the fuel cell system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide improved layouts that can increase space on-board aircraft and other passenger transport vehicles. The improved layouts may include two galley sections installed on an aircraft having a centerline and curved outer sidewalls. The first galley section can be positioned so that its longitudinal axis generally aligns with one of the outer sidewalls of the aircraft, and the second galley section can be positioned so that its longitudinal axis generally aligns with the longitudinal axis of the first galley. This can create a space along a rear side of the second galley section. The created space may be used for any number of options.

Abstract: Described are power management systems having at least one fuel cell system, a power distribution unit, at least one galley insert, a galley network controller, a control panel, and/or at least one battery pack. The power management system compares a power output from the power distribution unit to a maximum load level and/or to a minimum load level, instructs the galley network controller to cycle the the galley insert off and/or set an operation of the galley insert to a lower power consumption level when the power output approaches and/or is above the maximum load level, and instructs the galley network controller to cycle the galley insert on and/or set the operation of the galley insert to a higher power consumption level when the power output approaches and/or is below the minimum load level.

Abstract: Disclosed are fuel cell systems used as power sources aboard aircraft and utilizing catalytic systems. Fuel cell systems can include a fuel cell assembly and a catalyst system. The fuel cell assembly can receive a hydrogen input, receive an oxygen input comprising a fluid having an initial oxygen content, and convert the hydrogen input and the oxygen input so as to yield products, such as water, thermal energy, an oxygen-depleted product comprising the fluid having a second oxygen content lower than the initial oxygen content, and electrical power. The fuel cell assembly can supply any combination of such products to aircraft operational systems. The catalyst system can receive and combust hydrogen from the fuel cell assembly and/or a hydrogen storage vessel, such as to treat exhaust from the fuel cell assembly and/or provide heat for warming water and/or for regulating operating temperatures of fuel cell system components.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to improved cooling systems and methods for use on aircraft trolleys and compartments. The systems use absorptive cooling with thermal conductive plates strategically positioned in order to keep trolleys and their contents cooled.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for disinfection of aircraft galleys and lavatories and other surfaces. The embodiments may use UV light sources and/or a disinfection unit powered by a fuel cell or other external power source.