Mechanical Operation Of Control System (e.g., By Bellows Or Diaphragm, Etc.) Patents (Class 454/73)
  • Patent number: 11958615
    Abstract: A system for controlling airflow from a galley compartment to a plenum chamber is disclosed. The system includes an actuating assembly. The actuating assembly includes a cylinder, a heat-expanding material disposed in the cylinder, and a piston disposed in the cylinder, wherein the heat-expanding material is configured to actuate the piston when the heat-expanding material is heated. The system includes a valve assembly. The valve assembly may include a louver assembly coupled to the actuating assembly. The louver assembly includes a louver frame, one or more louver blades and bracket and a connecting rod that couples the actuating assembly to the valve assembly. The valve assembly may also include a poppet valve. The poppet valve includes a poppet body element, a poppet stem coupled to the actuating assembly that is inserted into a channel within the poppet body element, and a poppet head coupled to the poppet stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. L. Burd
  • Patent number: 11639727
    Abstract: A tail gas exhausting pressure stabilization control system is provided. The system can control the pressure and the flow rate of a gas and a driving gas inputted therein, such that when the gas and the driving gas are mixed and outputted to a tail gas exhausting outlet, the pressure thereof can be controlled under a predetermined pressure. Besides, when the back pressure is generated because of the exhausted gases from the outlet, an energy-saving module can adjust the pressure of the driving gas outputted to an eductor in accordance with the detecting result of the back pressure in order to resist the back pressure. Thus, the exhausted gases from the outlet can be still under the predetermined pressure between the gas and a gas distribution component so as to stabilize the pressure and flow rate of the exhausted gases from the outlet and save the driving gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: KINETICS TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chung-Hsiang Chang
  • Patent number: 11350950
    Abstract: One aspect relates to an engine including a working system, having a first piston-cylinder system, comprising a working piston and a working cylinder. The working piston divides the working cylinder into a first working cylinder portion and a second working cylinder portion, a valve system, having a first valve connection and a valve element. The valve system and the working system are connected in a gas conducting manner, the first valve connection can be connected to a negative pressure source, and the valve element is movably arranged in the valve system such that, in a first valve position, the valve element connects the first valve connection to the first working cylinder portion, and, in a second valve position, connects the first valve connection to the second working cylinder portion in a gas conducting manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Heraeus Medical GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Vogt, Thomas Kluge
  • Patent number: 11290793
    Abstract: The invention provides a sounding device having a housing body with a containment space, a sound outlet formed in the housing body, a speaker unit fitted in the housing body, an intake valve that communicates the outside with the front cavity and that is used for introducing air into the front cavity, and an unidirectional outlet valve that communicates the front cavity with the outside and discharges air in the front cavity to the outside through the sound outlet. The speaker unit separates the containment space into a front acoustic cavity and a back cavity, the sound outlet is communicated with the front acoustic cavity and forms a front cavity together. The invention also provides a mobile terminal. Compared with the related art, the sounding device and the mobile terminal of the invention have better reliability and better performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: AAC Technologies Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Xingzhi Huang, Lin Liu, Dijiang Tong, Zhe Zhang, Jun Wu, Zhichen Chen, Zhaoyu Yin
  • Patent number: 11236671
    Abstract: An air supply system for a gas turbine engine including a first duct which is connected or capable of being connected to a first compressor bleed air supply of a gas turbine engine; a second duct which downstream of the first compressor bleed air supply is connected or capable of being connected to a second compressor bleed air supply of the gas turbine engine; a nozzle by way of which air from the second duct is capable of being blown into the first duct; and an exhaust air duct having an opening which downstream of the nozzle is disposed in the first duct in such a manner that air blown by way of the nozzle into the first duct can flow out of the first duct through the opening into the exhaust air duct. A gas turbine engine and an aircraft are furthermore provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG
    Inventor: Stefan Fechner
  • Patent number: 11161616
    Abstract: A pneumatic flow-control system and method for an aircraft provide efficient mixing of high-pressure engine bleed air with one or both of low-pressure engine bleed air and ambient air. A controller determines an amount of high- and low-pressure air and ambient air to provide based on ambient air temperature and pressure and a flow rate and temperature of the mixed air for improving engine performance during different phases of flight and for reducing a burden on an environmental control subsystem of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Textron Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Glynn Wiegers, Leland Merle Peterson
  • Patent number: 11072414
    Abstract: Aircraft and air scoop systems are provided. An aircraft includes an interior compartment, an outer skin, an air scoop, a movable element, and a passive pneumatic actuator. The interior compartment encloses a substantially constant interior air mass at a cabin pressure during flight and the outer skin at least partially defines a ventilated cavity. The air scoop is disposed on the outer skin and communicates air between the ventilated cavity and an external environment in which the aircraft is located. The movable element is movable between an open position and a closed position over the air scoop to define an air flow area through the air scoop. The passive pneumatic actuator is operatively coupled with the movable element and moves the movable element towards the closed position in response to an increasing altitude of the aircraft based on a differential pressure between the interior air mass and the external environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Mike Lucas, George Clay Nolen
  • Patent number: 10472085
    Abstract: A differential pressure sensor system for use in an aircraft comprises a differential pressure sensor for determining a differential pressure between a pressurizable aircraft cabin and an aircraft environment, the differential pressure sensor having a first port connectable to the pressurizable aircraft cabin via a first line and a second port connectable to the aircraft environment via a second line. A shut-off device of the differential pressure sensor system is arranged in the second line which is switchable between an open position in which it opens the second line, such that a pressure prevailing in the aircraft environment acts on the second port of the differential pressure sensor, and a shut-off position in which it closes the second line, such that the second port of the differential pressure sensor is shut off from the pressure prevailing in the aircraft environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Ilja Waigl, Matias Mail, Thorsten Knijnenburg
  • Patent number: 10414505
    Abstract: An environmental control system for an aircraft uses engine bleed air for cabin environment control. The environment control system regulates the inlet airflow by assessing a plurality of parameters that provides, but not limited to, the aircraft operating conditions and external environment data, aiming at substantially reducing the extracted engine bleed air demand for cabin environment control and fuel consumption reduction and concurrently complying with aircraft pressurization, ventilation and thermal load requirements. The environmental control system airflow target is calculated based on the actual aircraft operating conditions, external environment data and a multi-dimensional airflow schedule map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Embraer S.A.
    Inventors: Bernardo Campos da Silva Franco, Leandro Coelho Herd, André Mendes Quintino, Nicolau Braga Santos
  • Patent number: 10197136
    Abstract: Reversal mechanism for a rolling ring drive. A reversal mechanism for a rolling ring drive (10) comprising a motor (12) attached to an inner ring housing (16), a controller controlling the angle of the rolling rings via the motor (12) in dependence upon a sensor which detects the position of the rolling ring drive (10) and other desired parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: JOACHIM UHING GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Florian Thaden, Paul Beutin, Hauke Reese
  • Patent number: 9669936
    Abstract: There are provided aircraft air conditioning systems and methods. The aircraft air conditioning system has a duct in an aircraft connected to an aircraft cabin and configured to flow pressurized cabin outflow air from the aircraft cabin. The aircraft air conditioning system further has a turbine connected to the duct and configured to reduce a temperature of the pressurized cabin outflow air and to generate power, and further has a compressor configured to generate a compressed inlet air stream, and further has an air conditioning pack configured to receive a reduced temperature cabin outflow air from the turbine and configured to receive the compressed inlet air stream from the compressor. The air conditioning pack has a cooling cycle system, a humidity control system, and one or more heat exchangers configured to use the reduced temperature cabin outflow air as a heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Charles J. Fiterman, Warren A. Atkey
  • Patent number: 9488102
    Abstract: A drive system for driving a load by a gas turbine. The gas turbine comprises a gas generator having a gas-generator rotor and comprising at least one gas-generator compressor and one high-pressure turbine driving the gas-generator compressor. The gas turbine further comprises a power turbine having a power-turbine rotor, which is torsionally independent of the gas-generator rotor. The load is connected to the power-turbine rotor. The system further comprises an electric motor/generator mechanically connected to the gas-generator rotor and electrically connected to an electric power grid. The electric motor/generator is adapted to function alternatively: as a generator for converting mechanical power from the gas turbine into electrical power; and as a motor for supplementing driving power to the load. A set of movable nozzle guide vanes is arranged at the inlet of the power turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Nuovo Pignone Srl
    Inventor: Marco Santini
  • Patent number: 9273795
    Abstract: A bleed valve system includes a bleed valve, a valve regulator, a valve actuator and a reverse flow relief valve. The bleed valve is opened and closed to control a flow of bleed air from an upstream inlet to a downstream outlet. The valve regulator provides a servo pressure used to regulate the position of the bleed valve, and the valve actuator is mechanically connected to open/close the bleed valve based on the servo pressure provided by the valve regulator. The reverse flow relief valve compares a pressure upstream of the bleed valve to a pressure downstream of the bleed valve and in response to the downstream pressure exceeding the upstream pressure creates a fluid communication path between the servo pressure and an ambient pressure to decrease the servo pressure such that the bleed valve is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Josh Kamp, Scott W Simpson, John M Dehais
  • Patent number: 9227730
    Abstract: A system for air conditioning at least one partial region of an aircraft comprises an air providing device for providing air to be supplied to a region of the aircraft to be ventilated at a desired temperature and pressure. A supply air duct is connected at a first end to the air providing device. A second end of the supply air duct is connected to an air inlet which opens near the floor into the aircraft region to be ventilated. A control device is set up to ensure that the air provided by the air providing device enters the aircraft region to be ventilated via the air inlet at such a speed that the air is distributed near the floor in the aircraft region to be ventilated and rises at heat sources present in the aircraft region to be ventilated, and that the air provided by the air providing device enters the aircraft region to be ventilated via the air inlet at such a temperature that a desired ambient temperature is set in the aircraft region to be ventilated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Markwart, Peggy Bendfeldt, Ingo Gores, Uwe Buchholz, Christina Koepp
  • Patent number: 9067680
    Abstract: Outflow valves for use in an aircraft are described. In one example, an outflow valve for use in an aircraft includes a frame configured for coupling to an aircraft and a gate pivotally coupled to said frame. The frame includes a forward flange extending above the frame. The gate is pivotally moveable between a closed position to substantially block airflow between an interior of the aircraft and an exterior of the aircraft and an exhaust position to direct airflow from the interior toward the exterior of the aircraft. The forward edge of the gate is located adjacent the frame forward flange as the gate is pivoted between the closed position to the exhaust position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thamir R. Al-Alusi, Leigh M. Sedgwick, Coyne Foster
  • Patent number: 9011219
    Abstract: A system for air-conditioning an aircraft cabin includes an air conditioning unit connected to a central mixer, a first recirculation system designed to remove exhaust air from a first aircraft cabin region and connected to the central mixer, and a second recirculation system designed to remove exhaust air from a second aircraft cabin region and connected to a local mixer. A control device is designed to control the second recirculation system to reduce an air volume flow being removed from the second aircraft cabin region when shifting from a first operating state (e.g., normal operation) to a second operating state (e.g., defined operating situations such as when quick cooling is desired). The air volume being removed from the first aircraft cabin region may be increased accordingly in the second operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Brunnberg, Dariusz Krakowski
  • Patent number: 8808071
    Abstract: A control unit (100) for actuating a pressure valve, particularly for actuating an overpressure valve in an aircraft cabin, comprises an actuating body (20) and a pressure-controlled actuator (30) for the actuation of the actuating body (20) as a function of a predetermined threshold pressure valve, wherein the threshold pressure value can be adjusted by means of an adjustment device (40, 50). The adjustment device (40, 50) comprises a first adjustment unit (40) and a second adjustment unit (50), wherein the actuating body (20) can be adjusted by means of the first adjustment unit (40), and the actuator (30) can be adjusted by means of the second adjustment unit (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Nord-Micro AG & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Klaus-Heinrich Bracker, Robert Hamrodi, Rudiger Maier, Roland Singpiel, Felix Eisenlohr, Oliver Pokern
  • Publication number: 20140227957
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a relief valve (10) for being arranged on an opening (10) of a fuselage shell of an aircraft, wherein the opening (10) has a front opening edge (9a) and a rear opening edge (9a), and wherein the relief valve (10) features: a cover (13) that is arranged on the fuselage shell by means of an opening and closing device in order to open and close the opening (10) of the fuselage shell, and a prestressing device for prestressing the cover (13) into an initial position, wherein a guide plate (23) is arranged on the cover (13) by means of a mounting device (20), wherein the guide plate is spaced apart from the cover (13) and extends along the cover (13), and wherein the invention furthermore pertains to a fuselage part with such a relief valve (10) for being installed into an aircraft fuselage with a fuselage shell and a plurality of fuselage frames arranged on the inside of the fuselage shell, as well as to an aircraft fuselage with such a fuselage part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventor: Juergen KELNHOFER
  • Publication number: 20140227956
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve for controlling the internal pressure in a cabin of an aircraft. First and second flaps supported in a frame control a fluid flow between the environment and the cabin through an opening of the valve. The first flap is supported at a distance from a front edge of the frame and the second flap is supported on a rear edge of the frame. A closing device closes an outflow opening (56) in an inflow position of the flaps, which outflow opening is bounded by the flaps. The closing device is pivotably supported on one of the flaps, and interacts with the locking device in such a way that the closing device closes the outflow opening in the event of a pivoting motion of the flaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: NORD-MICRO AG & CO. OHG
    Inventors: Martin Steinert, Dusan Vranjes
  • Patent number: 8734211
    Abstract: One embodiment of a pressure management system for an aircraft may include a cavity, an opening in a surface of the cavity, and a moveable door. An interior area within the cavity may have an interior pressure and an exterior area outside of the cavity may have an exterior pressure. The door may open to uncover the opening and may close to cover the opening in response to pressure differential between the exterior pressure and the interior pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Clyde R. Tuchimaa, Susan D. Paish
  • Publication number: 20140134936
    Abstract: An aircraft cabin pressure control system outflow thrust recovery valve includes a frame, a valve element, and actuation hardware. The frame, valve element, and at least a portion of the actuation hardware are made of composite material. The actuation hardware is disposed external to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Darrell Horner, Ross F. Meyer, Albert Kang, Kevin Prodromides, Barrett Fuhrmann, Karl Schroeder, Beth Miller, David P. Gentile, Govind Yadav
  • Publication number: 20140065937
    Abstract: A system for supplying passengers with air comprises an air supply line and an individual air panel with at least one air nozzle. The air supply line can be fitted with a plurality of laterally situated air outlets, which are spaced apart at uniform distances from each other. The individual air panel comprises an air tap opening with a width and length, wherein the length is several times greater than the width. The individual air panel can be variably positioned in the longitudinal direction on the air supply line in such a way that the air tap opening in the longitudinal direction is arranged parallel to the air supply line, and that the air tap opening covers at least one air outlet. In this way, air can flow out of the air supply line through the air outlet and air tap opening to the air nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Uwe Schneider, Witaliy Kotnow, Gordon Konieczny
  • Publication number: 20130286673
    Abstract: A passenger service system includes an individual ventilation arrangement and/or a lighting arrangement, wherein at least one air nozzle of the individual ventilation arrangement and/or at least one reading lamp of the lighting arrangement is/are disposed in the region of a service surface of the passenger service system, The service surface of the passenger service system includes a substantially flat portion as well as a buckled portion, which is curved convexly relative to the substantially flat portion and extends along a longitudinal axis (LP) of the passenger service system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Sebastian UMLAUFT, Robert Thomas
  • Patent number: 8539784
    Abstract: An adjustable orifice for use in an aircraft air conditioning system includes a first orifice element which has an orifice frame as well as a first orifice area. When the orifice is assembled at a duct, the first orifice area of the first orifice element leaves open a part of a cross section of the duct. The orifice also includes a second orifice element with a second orifice area. When the orifice is assembled at the duct, the second orifice area of the second orifice element leaves open a part of the cross section of the duct. The second orifice element is rotatable about an axis, so that the second orifice area is rotatable relative to the first orifice area in order to set a desired flow cross section in the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Gunnar Heuer, Birgit Meiser
  • Publication number: 20130210330
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve (10) for controlling the internal pressure p in a cabin of an aircraft, comprising a first flap (11) and a second flap (12), wherein the flaps (11, 12) control a pressure-changing fluid flow (L) between the surroundings and the cabin through an opening (15) of a limiting element (14) of the cabin. in order to increase the inflow volume of the fluid, according to the invention at least one of the flaps (11, 12) is adjustable in the inflow position in respect of the opening (15) in the direction of the surroundings, such that the flow surface of the flap (11, 12) is increased for the air flow (L). Furthermore according to the invention at least one of the flaps (11, 22) has a closure device (21) which reduces an outflow of the fluid that had previously flowed in during an inflow process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Nord-Micro AG & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Martin Steinert, Axel Springer
  • Patent number: 8425283
    Abstract: An aircraft ventilating air intake arrangement has an air passage channel and an air vent that ventilate a confined cone in an aircraft with fresh air entering the channel upstream and exiting the channel downstream towards the zone to be ventilated. A controllable blocking device enables the cross section of the channel to be varied with an elastically deformable membrane, under the action of fluid control, according to the speed and the altitude of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Alain Porte, Damien Prat
  • Publication number: 20120115407
    Abstract: A disclosed method of hard coating a wear surface of a valve of an aircraft air management system is performed by depositing a hardface alloy powder onto the wear surface, heating the wear surface and the hardface alloy powder to transform the hardface alloy powder into a molten liquid mass, and subsequently cooling the molten liquid hardface alloy mass to solidify the hardface alloy onto the wear surface. The disclosed process provides for localized application and subsequent bonding of the hardface alloy to discrete portions of the wear surface. The solidified hardface alloy coating may then be machined to obtain specific wear surface geometries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Kevin M. Rankin, Blair A. Smith, Timothy R. Boysen, Aaron T. Nardi, Keith J. Brooky
  • Patent number: 8015973
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for adjusting nitrogen and oxygen concentrations within regions of an aircraft. The method includes separating nitrogen from ambient air onboard an aircraft thereby establishing a high-concentration nitrogen supply and then dispensing high-concentration nitrogen from the supply to a fire-susceptible, non-habitable region of the aircraft where the high-concentration nitrogen is reservoired thereby decreasing the capability for the atmosphere therein to support combustion. Oxygen is also separated from the ambient air thereby establishing a high-concentration oxygen supply that is dispensed to an occupant cabin of the aircraft thereby increasing the level of oxygen concentration within the cabin to a level greater than the naturally occurring concentration of oxygen at the experienced internal cabin pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Geary
  • Patent number: 7823834
    Abstract: This door includes a device that permits air to flow through the door in one direction but prevents this flow of air in the opposite direction. On the attached illustration, the door includes at least a window (74), that less air pass through as well as an elastic membrane (76) covering window (74). Elastic membrane (76) includes on the one hand an area that is airtight facing window (74) and capable of fully covering it and on the other hand, an area that is pervious to air near the impervious area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignees: Airbus, Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Clive French, Smail Maksen
  • Patent number: 7815498
    Abstract: A flow of air coming out of a louver facing the internal space of the passenger compartment of a vehicle is oriented, exploiting the Coanda effect, in an area adjacent to a first surface of the passenger compartment or in an area adjacent to a second surface of the passenger compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile Per Azioni
    Inventors: Marco Biasiotto, Carloandrea Malvicino, Fabrizio Mattiello, Andrea Perosino
  • Publication number: 20100233950
    Abstract: An altitude switch limit assembly has two independent limit switches to monitor cabin pressure and back up performance of the auto and monitor channels on the aircraft. The auto channel closes a first switch upon sensing that a cabin pressure falls below a set value, the monitor channel closes a second switch upon sensing that the cabin pressure falls below the set value. A first independent limit switch may be wired to the auto channel and a second independent limit switch may be wired to the monitor channel. Logic circuitry may determine that the assembly closes an outflow valve regulating cabin pressure when either both independent limit switches sense the condition, or when one of the independent limit switch senses the condition and either the auto channel or monitor channel to which that independent limit switch may be wired senses the same condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: ED BENKERT, Rich Morey, Duane Inscho
  • Publication number: 20100096503
    Abstract: An outflow valve is provided for use in conjunction with an actuator. In one embodiment, the outflow valve includes a frame and a first door rotatably coupled to the frame. The outflow valve is configured to be moved by the actuator between an open position and a closed position. The first door includes: (i) a main body having a sealing edge, and (ii) a J-shaped bellmouth fixedly coupled to the main body proximate the sealing edge. The J-shaped bellmouth is configured to condition fluid flow through the outflow valve when the first door is in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Justin A. Tanner, William A. Facinelli, Albert Kang
  • Patent number: 7686680
    Abstract: Testing of an aircraft pressure control system may be performed without use of an altitude chamber. Aircraft cabin configuration date may be modeled and used, along with high resolution positional feedback from a simulated valve, to produce a high resolution electrical signal that may represent a simulated cabin pressure. A voltage-to-pressure transducer may convert the electrical signal to a pneumatic signal. The pneumatic signal may be employed to operate a cabin-pressure controller under test. The controller may operate an outflow valve actuator and an attached potentiometer. The potentiometer may produce a feedback signal and closed-loop testing of the aircraft pressure control system may thus be performed. The outflow valve actuator may be operated without being attached to an outflow valve because a simulated aerodynamic load may be applied to the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell W. Horner, Timothy C. Biss, Timothy J. Hilzendeger
  • Publication number: 20090253361
    Abstract: The invention concerns an arrangement comprising at least one air passage channel (12) with an air vent (14), and designed to ventilate at least one confined zone (11) in an aircraft with fresh air entering upstream, through the air vent, in the channel and exiting downstream thereof towards the zone to be ventilated. The invention is characterized in that the cross-section of the air passage channel (12) is adjustable based on the speed and the altitude of the aircraft and the arrangement comprises therefor a membrane (19) elastically deformable under the action of a fluid control (18) to enable said channel cross-section to be varied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: AIRBUS FRANCE
    Inventors: Alain Porte, Damien Prat
  • Publication number: 20090081937
    Abstract: One embodiment of a pressure management system for an aircraft may include a cavity, an opening in a surface of the cavity, and a moveable door. An interior area within the cavity may have an interior pressure and an exterior area outside of the cavity may have an exterior pressure. The door may open to uncover the opening and may close to cover the opening in response to pressure differential between the exterior pressure and the interior pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: CLYDE R. TUOHIMAA, SUSAN D. PAISH
  • Patent number: 7264017
    Abstract: A regulator valve includes dual actuators that operate according to different principles to position a valve element to either an open or a closed position. One actuator, which is an electromechanical actuator, operates in response to electrical command signals. The other actuator, which is a pneumatic actuator, operates in response to a fluid pressure. The electromechanical actuator is responsive to the electrical command signals to rotate in either a valve open or a valve close direction, to move the valve element to either the open or closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart K. Denike, Don J. Atkins, Robert D. Sleeper, Mark W. Williams, Jay W. Lombardi
  • Patent number: 7017828
    Abstract: For the purposes of increasing pilot visibility and comfort in small planes during winter conditions, this invention provides an auxiliary heating system. Prior to actual flight, that is to say that during start up, warm up, taxi and takeoff, a small aircraft does not intake sufficient outside air to warm the cabin and defrost the windshield. The normal heating system on a small plane depends upon ram air when the plane is flying at normal speeds. This invention consists of a simple replacement part, mainly an electric blower which sucks in air from outside the aircraft and forces it through the muffler shroud and thereafter into the cabin and defroster ducts. The system is operated by a switch located on the control panel. Once the aircraft is in flight, the system may be shut off as there is sufficient ram air to heat the small aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: Carl Heinz Reichle
  • Patent number: 7008314
    Abstract: One embodiment relates to a modular cabin pressure regulator that can receive its destination parameter and control settings from an avionics system or a manual selector and display. The modular pressure regulator includes a removable selector, a controller, and a monitoring unit to control an electro-mechanical actuator driven valve. Such modular design allows a single unit to be used for the cabin pressure selector and display, controller, and monitoring functions. In one embodiment, the selector module can be bypassed or removed and the same pressure regulator design can provide the controller and monitoring functions to send and receive inputs from an avionics system. This embodiment can be mounted directly on the electro-mechanical actuator driven valve or elsewhere on the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell W. Horner, Thomas J. Whitney
  • Patent number: 6783114
    Abstract: An improved air outflow valve having a cable assembly that enhances its reliability. In a particular embodiment, the cable assembly couples the diaphragm to the control arm of the air outflow valve and includes a retainer and a cable. The retainer has a cavity to slidingly accept the end of the cable when the valve is operated in a manual mode. Thus, bending or kinking of the cable is substantially inhibited or prevented, resulting in improved valve reliability. The improved cable assembly also is available as a retrofit kit and a method of retrofitting an existing valve is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Sewa S. Sandhu, Kenyon Kehl
  • Patent number: 6241599
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure regulation system for maintaining the air pressure within a defined space at a substantially constant level. The pressure regulation system comprises a housing and a flexible diaphragm within the housing which divides the housing into first and second chambers. The first chamber contains air at a desired or reference pressure. The second chamber communicates with the defined space and contains air at the same pressure as that in the defined space. The system further includes a laser system for detecting movement of the diaphragm due to pressure imbalance between the first and second chambers and a system for introducing air into or withdrawing air from the defined space when a pressure imbalance is detected. The pressure regulation system of the present invention has particular utility in aircraft systems for maintaining substantially constant pressure in the passenger cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventor: David L. Katz
  • Patent number: 5769705
    Abstract: A thermostatically controlled enclosure for a small computer device includes a housing and a control circuit connected to a temperature signal generator such as a transistor. A circulating fan controlled by the output of the control circuit is mounted to the housing. Also provided is an LED indicator or audible alarm responsive to an over temperature condition within the housing. The control circuit consists of six basic blocks: a temperature to voltage converter; a high current operational amplifier; a fan on/off control; an over temperature sensor network an oscillator; and an LED or alarm driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Alliance Peripheral Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John O'Callaghan, John Nelson, Paul G. Mandel, R. Paul McGraw
  • Patent number: 5244184
    Abstract: A fluid flow control device comprises a duct having an inlet aperture and an obturating member, which is mounted in the duct and movable by an actuating member between a first position in which it closes the duct and a second position in which the duct is fully open. The control device comprises a flexible membrane which is fixed around its periphery to the annular wall of the duct. The membrane is arranged to adopt a closing position in which its central region closes off the inlet aperture within the duct, and an open position in which its central region is spaced away from the inlet opening so that the fluid can pass through the latter and through further apertures formed in an annular region of the membrane which join its central region to its periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Valeo Thermique Habitacle
    Inventor: Patrick Larseneur