Air Compressor, Cooler And Expander Type Patents (Class 62/401)
  • Patent number: 7302804
    Abstract: A closed loop cooling system and method for an oil-free electric motor of an aircraft cabin air compressor. A closed-loop fan, which may be coupled to a motor rotor opposite a compressor impeller, circulates the required cooling air in a closed loop through a motor stator and bearings, a motor cooler, and a ducting used to complete the flow circuit via a ram air cooled heat exchanger. The cooling air may be pressurized to cabin pressure. The system and method of the present invention eliminates the possibility of contaminating trace amounts of oil in cabin supply air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger P. Murry, Chris Speights
  • Patent number: 7260952
    Abstract: A fluid machine has a compressor device for compressing refrigerant of a refrigerating cycle for an automotive vehicle, an electric rotating device operating as an electric motor for generating a rotational driving force to drive the compressor device or operating as an electric power generator, an expansion device for collecting waste heat from an engine and generating a rotational driving force to drive the electric rotating device and/or the compressor device, and a switching device for connecting or disconnecting the compressor device with or from the expansion device. In the fluid machine, the waste heat from the engine can be always collected by the expansion device, irrespectively whether or not the compressor device is operating for an air conditioning operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignees: DENSO Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Takeuchi, Shigeki Iwanami, Hironori Asa, Yasushi Yamanaka, Atsushi Inaba, Hiroshi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7257956
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus configured such that a cooling body provided with heat-dissipating plates is pressed against a device to which a socket of a burn-in board is attached, and air is provided by a blower such that the air passes between the heat-dissipating plates, and compressed air provided from a compressed air supply system is discharged by a nozzle so that it directly hits a portion of the cooling upper surface of the cooling body. By means of the cooling effects from these two types of air, a device generating a large amount of heat can be cooled with good temperature accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: ESPEC Corp.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Shimada, Katsuhiko Watabe
  • Patent number: 7254959
    Abstract: An air conditioning system has a compressor for generating compressed air that is delivered to Joule-Thomson orifice with the compressed air flowing therethrough becoming refrigerant air sent through a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is defined by triangular tubes arranged in a spaced-apart relationship to define flow paths therebetween so that ambient air moving through the flow paths of the heat exchanger is cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Cogo Aire LLC
    Inventors: Gerald L. Covert, Jr., Leon R. Goolsby, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7251951
    Abstract: A flow diverter comprises a heat sink array in fluid communication with a turbine outlet and an inlet face of a heat exchanger, the heat sink array comprising a plurality of heat sink elements, the heat sink array being separated from the inlet face by a distance, and the heat sink array being positioned between the turbine outlet and the inlet face such that at least a portion of a fluid flowing from the turbine outlet contacts the heat sink array before the portion of the fluid contacts the heat exchanger inlet face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. McBride, Roger P. Murry, Joseph M. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20070175233
    Abstract: An iceless method of providing a chilled beverage to a customer by supplying a container that not only contains the beverage but also contains a compartment filled with a compressed gas for selectively cooling the liquid in the container before consuming it. The apparatus is characterized by the fact that the end of the gas compartment adjacent the mouth of the beverage compartment occupies less than the entire mouth of the beverage compartment so that when the closure member is removed, a liquid contained in the beverage compartment may be conveniently poured out, whether or not the frangible cover of the gas compartment has first been punctured for releasing the gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Inventor: David M. St. James
  • Patent number: 7219510
    Abstract: The inert gas generating system includes a compressed air source, a cooling air source, and a separation module. The separation module includes first and second inlets and outlets. The first inlet is coupled to the compressed air source. The first outlet is coupled to the first inlet via a bundle of hollow fiber membranes. The second inlet is coupled to the cooling air source, and the second outlet is coupled to the second inlet via a space surrounding the bundle of hollow fiber membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Shaw Aero Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip E. Jones
  • Patent number: 7188488
    Abstract: The present invention provides an air generation unit (AGU) including a pressurized air source, such as an engine providing pressurized air. First and second air cycle machine (ACM) are fluidly connected to the pressurized air source for receiving the air. A heat exchanger interconnects the first and second ACMs. The heat exchanger mechanically supports the first and second ACMs by flexible isolators, which accommodates the thermo expansion of the heat exchanger through out the operation of the AGU. The heat exchanger includes a primary heat exchanger that cools the air from the air source. The ACMs each include a compressor receiving the air from the primary heat exchanger to provide compressed air. The compressed air is sent to a secondary heat exchanger to be cooled. The compressed air is passed through a condenser and a water collector to remove moisture from the air for being sent to a first turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand
    Inventors: Donald E. Army, Jr., Douglas L. Christians, Frederick Peacos, III
  • Patent number: 7140197
    Abstract: An integrated, self-contained microrefrigeration apparatus, in a dimension small enough to fit inside small appliances, such as electronic cases and portable equipment is described. The microrefrigerator employs a working fluid that circulates between evaporator, compressor, condenser and turbine-expander components in a closed loop. Two configurations are claimed: one with the compressor and turbine operating on independent shafts, and the other with the turbine and compressor both operating on the motor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Inventors: Lalit Chordia, Brian Moyer, John C Davis
  • Patent number: 7121100
    Abstract: A thermal management system for an aircraft is provided. The aircraft includes a primary air conditioning system which compresses and cools outside air to create inside air. The inside air pressurizes the internal volume of the aircraft and ventilates a first object in the internal volume. An exhaust exhausts a portion of the inside air to allow more outside air to be drawn into the aircraft. A cooler cools a coolant which in turn controls temperature of at least two objects in the internal volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Warren A. Atkey, Charles J. Fiterman
  • Patent number: 7086239
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a condenser for an air-based climate control system, having an inlet and an outlet for the air to be cooled, an inlet and an outlet for the cool air, a heat exchange unit for heat transfer between the air to be cooled and the cool air, a bypass that circumvents the cool-air side of the heat exchange unit at least within a certain area, and a hot-air inlet on the cool-air side by means of which hot air can be fed into the condenser. A particularly low humidity even in partial power operation with continued high flow-through capacity of the climate control system is achieved according to the invention in that the hot-air inlet is positioned in such a way that the hot air essentially flows in a partial area of the inlet on the cool-air side of the condenser and that the bypass inlet is positioned in the partial area downstream from the hot-air inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Haas, Norbert Brutscher
  • Patent number: 7069731
    Abstract: Cooling apparatus for use on a vehicle. The apparatus includes a heat exchanger in which heat is removed from a heat load by a coolant, and first and second coolant supplies. The first coolant supply is adapted to receive a first coolant and to supply the first coolant to the heat exchanger. The first coolant is available during normal vehicle operations. The second coolant supply is adapted to receive a second coolant and to supply the second coolant to the heat exchanger. The second coolant is supplied by a fluid supply and is unavailable during normal vehicle operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell Normalair-Garrett (Holdings) Limited
    Inventor: Richard Grant Hunt
  • Patent number: 7044214
    Abstract: A system and method of supplying conditioned air to an aircraft environmental control system during ground support operations that uses at least one flow control door to control the flow of cooling air through a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger removes heat from a flow of compressed air supplied to the system. The temperature of the conditioned compressed air is controlled by selectively positioning the flow control door, which regulates cooling air flow through the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Leathers
  • Patent number: 7040112
    Abstract: An air conditioning system for an aircraft in which cabin air is recirculated and mixed with cold air from an air conditioning machine which includes at least an expansion turbine over which warm pressurised air is expanded and cooled, and wherein the system includes a heat exchanger in which a heat load from hot cabin air and/or a hot avionics system is exchanged with the warm pressurised air prior to the pressurised air being expanded by the expansion turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Honewell Normalair-Garrett (Holdings) Limited
    Inventors: Richard James Axe, Richard Grant Hunt
  • Patent number: 7017365
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for dehumidification in air conditioners comprising an expansion stage, a condenser and comprising a water separator disposed upstream of the expansion stage. A dehumidification system with reduced system construction volume, reduced weight and increased reliability and improved system efficiency at lower cost is formed in accordance with the invention in that the condenser is formed by a heat exchanger (RAM heat exchanger) cooled with ambient air or stagnation air or with another fluid, with the exception of process air, to which the compressed air to be dehumidified is fed on the compressed air side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Haas, Alfred Sauterleute
  • Patent number: 7013669
    Abstract: A gasdynamic arrangement for a multi-stage centrifugal turbomachine, such as a two-stage compressor, comprising two coaxial impellers assembled on a common shaft with axial intake ports and radial peripheral discharge zones, the intake ports of the two impellers preferably pointing away from each other; a cylindrical vessel concentrically housing the impellers and the intake duct; a partition wall between the two impellers having a first and a second group of apertures; a first array of curved ducts conveying the flow from the first impeller discharge zone to the first group of apertures in the partition wall, the flow further passing through a chamber in the vessel to the intake port of the second impeller, and a second array of curved ducts conveying the flow from the second impeller discharge zone to the second group of apertures in the partition wall, the flow further going to the discharge port, the two flows bypassing each other in opposing directions at the partition wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: I.D.E. Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Avraham Ophir, Henrikh Rojanskiy, Arie Kanievski
  • Patent number: 7000425
    Abstract: An air generation unit includes first and second air cycle machines (ACMs), each having first and second turbines. A manifold is arranged between the first and second ACMs and is in fluid communciation with each of the first and second turbines of the first and second ACMs. A condenser is arranged between the ACMs and is in fluid communication with the manifold. First and second valves are disposed within the manifold and control flow of air between the turbines and the condenser. An actuator is assembly is connected to the valves for moving the valves between a plurality of positions. The valves selectively close off or prevent the flow of air from the turbines of one of the ACMs in the event that the ACM is not needed or malfunctions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand
    Inventors: Donald E. Army Jr., Douglas L. Christians, Frederick Peacos, III
  • Patent number: 6997013
    Abstract: The inert gas generating system includes a compressed air source, a cooling air source, and a separation module. The separation module includes first and second inlets and outlets. The first inlet is coupled to the compressed air source. The first outlet is coupled to the first inlet via a bundle of hollow fiber membranes. The second inlet is coupled to the cooling air source, and the second outlet is coupled to the second inlet via a space surrounding the bundle of hollow fiber membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Shaw Aero Devices, INC
    Inventor: Philip E. Jones
  • Patent number: 6990829
    Abstract: An air cooling system is provided for cooling ambient or recirculated air. The system includes a compressor receiving ambient air, and a first heat exchanger receiving pressurized air from the compressor. An expander receives warm air from the first heat exchanger. A second heat exchanger receives cold air from the expander. The second heat exchanger also receives supplemental ambient air, and is structured to utilize the cold air to cool the supplemental air and provide mixed cool air. The system cools and dehumidifies the supplemental ambient air to prevent unwanted stratification and condensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy James Hall, Wayne Charles Schnaidt
  • Patent number: 6988376
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an air-conditioning system, in particular for the air conditioning of an airplane cabin, comprising at least two air-conditioning plants which are in communication in each case on the inlet side with a supply line and on the outlet side with a cabin to be air conditioned or with a mixing chamber, with the supply line on the inlet side having at least one flow regulating valve in each case for the purpose of regulating the flow. A high redundancy with low losses in performance and with optimum costs and weight is achieved in that downstream of the flow regulating valves at least one connection line is provided which connects the supply lines on the inlet side or the air-conditioning plants on the pressurized air side to one another and which is provided with a valve, by means of which the connection line can be opened or closed in dependence on the valve position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Brutscher, Joachim Haas
  • Patent number: 6981388
    Abstract: The following invention relates to an air conditioning system, in particular for aircraft, comprising at least one heat exchanger, arranged in a ram air duct, for cooling compressed air by means of a fluid, and comprising at least a first and a second air cycle machine which at the compressed-air end are connected to the heat exchanger. A particularly compact, reliable, redundant and economical arrangement is achieved in that the heat exchanger comprises at least one first heat exchanger unit and a second heat exchanger unit, of which one each is connected at the compressed-air end to one of the air cycle machines, and in that ram air outlet ducts which are fluidically separate from each other are provided, of which one is connected to the first heat exchanger unit and another is connected to the second heat exchanger unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Brutscher, Joachim Haas
  • Patent number: 6948331
    Abstract: An environmental control system for an aircraft includes a vapor cycle system for circulating a refrigerant through a fuel cooled condenser, a primary evaporator wherein the expanded refrigerant is used to provide cooling for a cooling medium and a secondary evaporator. An air cycle system is included having a compressor system for providing compressed air, a system to cool the compressed air, a system to expand the cooled and compressed air, a heat exchanger for receiving the expanded air to provide cooling for a cooling medium passed through the secondary evaporator of the vapor cycle system wherein the compressed air is cooled prior to expansion. A fuel to air heat exchanger located between the compressor system and the secondary evaporator of the vapor cycle system for receiving fuel after it is passed through the condenser of the vapor cycle system and cooling the compressed air from the compressor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Norhrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Yuhang Ho
  • Patent number: 6928832
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrically driven aircraft cabin and ventilation and environmental control system. The system includes at least one inlet for capturing ram air, an electrically driven compressor for pressurizing the ram air, and a thermal conditioning subsystem for thermally conditioning the pressurized ram air. The system further includes a subsystem for removing undesirable moisture from the thermally conditioned ram air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Hamilton Sunstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Lents, Steven E. Squier, Wayne A. Thresher
  • Patent number: 6883335
    Abstract: An air conditioning system for an aircraft in which cabin air is recirculated and mixed with cold air from an air conditioning machine which includes at least one expansion turbine over which warm pressurized air is expanded and cooled, and wherein the system includes a heat exchanger in which a heat load from hot cabin air is exchanged with the warm pressurized air prior to the pressurized air being expanded by the expansion turbine, further including a condenser heat exchanger in which recirculating cabin air is used to cool and promote water removal from the warm pressurized air before it is expanded by the expansion turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell Normalair-Garrett (Holdings) Limited
    Inventors: Richard James Axe, Richard Grant Hunt
  • Patent number: 6880357
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to reduce the constraint that the density ratio is constant as small as possible, and to obtain high power recovering effect in a wide operation range. A refrigeration cycle apparatus uses carbon dioxide as refrigerant and has a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expander and an indoor heat exchanger. An injection circuit for introducing high pressure refrigerant is provided in a halfway of an expansion process of said expander.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Nakatani, Yoshikazu Kawabe, Yuji Inoue, Noriho Okaza, Akira Hiwata
  • Patent number: 6854283
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to reduce the constraint that the density ratio is constant as small as possible, and to obtain high power recovering effect in a wide operation range by using an expander which is operated in accordance with a flowing direction of refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Nakatani, Yoshikazu Kawabe, Noriho Okaza, Yuji Inoue, Akira Hiwata
  • Publication number: 20040244388
    Abstract: A system of increasing overall fuel efficiency of a facility including a gas expansion engine for receiving a supply of pressurized gas of a first pressure and first temperature and outputting a tail gas of a second lower temperature and lower pressure. The expansion engine having a rotatable shaft as an energy output. An electric generator and/or other rotatable machinery is coupled to the rotatable shaft of the gas expansion engine. A heat exchanger may be used to transmit coldness from the tail gas of the expansion engine to an HVAC apparatus or an ice making apparatus or other plant process cooling equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: David B. Watson, Gregory W. Sorge
  • Publication number: 20040226438
    Abstract: The inert gas generating system includes a compressed air source, a cooling air source, and a separation module. The separation module includes first and second inlets and outlets. The first inlet is coupled to the compressed air source. The first outlet is coupled to the first inlet via a bundle of hollow fiber membranes. The second inlet is coupled to the cooling air source, and the second outlet is coupled to the second inlet via a space surrounding the bundle of hollow fiber membranes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventor: Philip E. Jones
  • Patent number: 6792771
    Abstract: A cycle-side system (20) is formed by duct connecting a compressor (21), a heat exchanger (30), a demoisturizer (22), and an expansion device (23) in that order. The compressor (21) draws in room air and supply air for ventilation and compresses the same. The compressed air exchanges heat with exhaust air for ventilation in the heat exchanger (30), thereby being cooled. Water vapor in the cooled, compressed air is removed in the demoisturizer (22). The demoisturizer (22) is provided with a separation membrane and separates water vapor in the compressed air without the occurrence of condensation. Thereafter, the compressed air is expanded in the expansion device (23) to change into low-temperature air. The low-temperature air is supplied into a room. On the other hand, the heat exchanger (30) is fed exhaust air cooled in a humidifying cooler (41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-cheng Piao, Manabu Yoshimi, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Kazuo Yonemoto, Shotaro Mishina, Akira Kamino
  • Publication number: 20040172963
    Abstract: An air conditioning system (10) for an aircraft in which cabin (44, 45) air is recirculated and mixed with cold air from an air conditioning machine which includes at least an expansion turbine (41) over which warm pressurised air is expanded and cooled, and wherein the system (10) includes a heat exchanger (38; 38a, 38b) in which a heat load from hot cabin (44, 45) air and/or a hot avionics system (68) is exchanged with the warm pressurised air prior to the pressurised air being expanded by the expansion turbine (41).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: Honeywell Normalair-Garrett (Holdings) Limited
    Inventors: Richard James Axe, Richard Grant Hunt
  • Patent number: 6776002
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing environmental control, secondary power and emergency power for an aircraft, comprises a cooling turbine coupled to a first electromechanical machine rotor, and including an input for receiving compressed air or ram air, and an output for discharging cooled air or exhaust air; a compressor coupled to a second electromechanical machine rotor, and including an input for receiving engine bleed air or ambient air, and an output for discharging compressed air; means for magnetically coupling the first and second rotors; a power turbine coupled to the compressor; a heat exchanger connected between the compressor output and the cooling turbine input; and a control unit for controlling the magnetic coupling between the first and second rotors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Yu-Hang Ho
  • Patent number: 6751979
    Abstract: A ground-based system and method of supplying temperature-controlled air to an aircraft environmental control system during ground support operations that uses a throttle valve to control the flow of compressed air flowing through a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger, which may be mounted in a wheeled cart, removes heat from the compressed air supplied to the air conditioning unit and supplies cooled compressed air at a desired temperature. The temperature of the cooled compressed air is controlled by selectively positioning the throttle valve, which regulates compressed air flow from the compressed air source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Leathers
  • Publication number: 20040107718
    Abstract: A turbomachinery system for cooling a high power density device includes a turbomachine configured to deliver a high flux cooling medium and a high power density device arranged in fluid communication with the turbomachine, the turbomachine having a motor and a compressor driven by the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Bowman, Mehmet Arik, Chellappa Balan, Warren Bessler, Ronald Bunker, Charles Byrd, William Gerstler, Nirm Nirmalan, Daniel Smith, Todd Wetzel
  • Patent number: 6729156
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ram air duct for an aeroplane air conditioning system having an inlet channel which can be closed by an inlet valve and in which at least one heat exchanger is arranged, having a blower arranged in a blower chamber and an outlet passage closable by an outlet valve. In accordance with the invention, the outlet passage is divided into two separately extending passages of which one is guided as a blower outlet passage up to the blower into the blower chamber and the other is designed as a bypass passage. The outlet valve only closes the bypass passage in the closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Sauterleute, Joachim Haas, Norbert Brutscher, Stefan Hofer
  • Publication number: 20040074253
    Abstract: A ground-based system and method of supplying temperature-controlled air to an aircraft environmental control system during ground support operations that uses a throttle valve to control the flow of compressed air flowing through a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger, which may be mounted in a wheeled cart, removes heat from the compressed air supplied to the air conditioning unit and supplies cooled compressed air at a desired temperature. The temperature of the cooled compressed air is controlled by selectively positioning the throttle valve, which regulates compressed air flow from the compressed air source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas M. Leathers
  • Publication number: 20040060317
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrically driven aircraft cabin and ventilation and environmental control system. The system includes at least one inlet for capturing ram air, an electrically driven compressor for pressurizing the ram air, and a thermal conditioning subsystem for thermally conditioning the pressurized ram air. The system further includes a subsystem for removing undesirable moisture from the thermally conditioned ram air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Charles E. Lents, Steven E. Squier, Wayne A. Thresher
  • Patent number: 6705092
    Abstract: The vapor membrane dehumidification device and method for air cycle environment control systems uses a semipermeable vapor membrane for water vapor, air separation. The vapor membrane has a high water to air permselectivity. When air containing water vapor is passed over or through the semipermeable fibers of the membrane countercurrently or crosscurrently to a purge air stream the water vapor may permeate through the fibers. Using a purge air stream of lower water vapor partial pressure relative to the feed moist air stream, the water vapor is moved to the purge air stream due to the partial pressure differential of water vapor and then expelled overboard with the purge air stream. The purge air stream can be replaced with any source of air internal or external to the aircraft such as air from the aircraft cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Shaojun Zhou, Tim Birbeck, Michel A. Jonqueres
  • Patent number: 6702545
    Abstract: The invention is comprised of a venturi tube with a very narrow throat, a compressor fan at the intake end of said venturi tube, a blower fan at the output end, a plurality of turbinate fins on the interior of the intake end, and a means of heat dissipation on the exterior of the intake end of said venturi tube. Instead of a circular cross-section profile, the venturi tube has a cross-section of a polygon with no parallel sides, so that considerably less aerodynamic noise is generated than if the venturi tube's cross-section was circular. In addition, this cross-section results in variances in flow velocity along the cross-section, assuring continuous flow through the unit should a sonic choke occur at any point in the unit. The fans may be of any type and driven by any means appropriate to the respective model of the invention's application, i.e. by internally or externally mounted motor(s), power takeoff, belt drive from an external source of torque, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Sanford Davis Scholten
  • Publication number: 20040040326
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus (12) for use on a vehicle includes a heat exchanger (13) in wich heat is removed from a heat load (11) by a coolant, characterised in that the cooling apparatus (12) also includes a first (15-28) and second (31-37) coolant supply means, the first coolant supply means (15-28) being adapted to receive a first coolant and supply the first coolant to the heat exchanger (13), the first coolant being available normal vehicle operation, and the second coolant supply means (31-37) being adapted to receive a second coolant and supply the second coolant to the heat exchanger (13), the second coolant being supplied by a fluid supply means (36), which is unavailable during normal vehicle operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventor: Richard Grant Hunt
  • Patent number: 6681591
    Abstract: A cabin air temperature control system includes cooling recirculated air. A first air circuit includes an intake that receives air from outside the cabin and then conditions the air to bring it closer to a desired cabin temperature before the air is introduced into the cabin. A second air circuit recirculates air from the cabin and then reintroduces it back into the cabin. The second circuit includes an air cooling assembly, comprising a heat exchanger, that is selectively used to cool the recirculated air before it is reintroduced into the cabin. A bypass flow arrangement is provided to selectively direct the recirculated air through the air cooling assembly or to simply recirculate it back into the cabin depending on the current temperature adjustment needs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand
    Inventors: Gregory Defrancesco, Thomas Zywiak
  • Patent number: 6681592
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrically driven aircraft cabin and ventilation and environmental control system. The system includes at least one inlet for capturing ram air, an electrically driven compressor for pressurizing the ram air, and a thermal conditioning subsystem for thermally conditioning the pressurized ram air. The system further includes a subsystem for removing undesirable moisture from the thermally conditioned ram air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Lents, Steven E. Squier, Wayne A. Thresher
  • Patent number: 6666039
    Abstract: In an air conditioner, air extracted from engine is fed through a main air flow path into cabin after being cooled by a cooling device. This extracted air is fed into the cabin through an auxiliary air flow path. The air within the cabin flows out through an outflow air flow path. A plurality of adsorption sections are constituted by an adsorption agent that adsorbs molecules contained in the air and releases adsorbed molecules by being raised in temperature to more than the temperature thereof on adsorption. By control of an air flow changeover mechanism by a controller, each of the adsorption sections is changed over between a condition connected with the auxiliary air flow path and a condition connected with the outflow air flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Hisashi Mitani, Hidefumi Saito
  • Publication number: 20030221446
    Abstract: An integrated, self-contained microrefrigeration apparatus, in a dimension small enough to fit inside small appliances, such as electronic cases and portable equipment is described. The microrefrigerator employs a working fluid that circulates between evaporator, compressor, condenser and turbine-expander components in a closed loop. Two configurations are claimed: one with the compressor and turbine operating on independent shafts, and the other with the turbine and compressor both operating on the motor shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Lalit Chorida, Brian Moyer, John C. Davis
  • Patent number: 6637215
    Abstract: A system and method of supplying temperature-controlled air to an aircraft environmental control system during ground support operations that uses a bypass valve in a bypass line to control the amount of cooling air flowing through a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger removes heat from a flow of compressed air supplied to the air conditioning unit and supplies cooled compressed air at a desired temperature. The temperature of the cooled compressed air is controlled by selectively positioning the bypass valve, which regulates cooling air flow through the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Leathers
  • Patent number: 6629428
    Abstract: An aircraft environmental control system (ECS) provides fresh air for the cabin of an aircraft by using electric motor driven compressors in place of traditional engine bleed air. Conventional aircraft ECS use an engine bleed to provide the pressurized fresh air flow for an aircraft cabin. However, such a system suffers from the disadvantage of requiring additional fuel consumption in order to provide an adequate engine bleed source. The present invention, using a zero bleed, electric powered architecture, does not suffer from this drawback of the conventional ECS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Roger P. Murry
  • Publication number: 20030177780
    Abstract: The following invention relates to an air conditioning system, in particular for aircraft, comprising at least one heat exchanger, arranged in a ram air duct, for cooling compressed air by means of a fluid, and comprising at least a first and a second air cycle machine which at the compressed-air end are connected to the heat exchanger. A particularly compact, reliable, redundant and economical arrangement is achieved in that the heat exchanger comprises at least one first heat exchanger unit and a second heat exchanger unit, of which one each is connected at the compressed-air end to one of the air cycle machines, and in that ram air outlet ducts which are fluidically separate from each other are provided, of which one is connected to the first heat exchanger unit and another is connected to the second heat exchanger unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Norbert Brutscher, Joachim Haas
  • Publication number: 20030172661
    Abstract: The proposed method and the installation are intended for application in systems of reduction of natural gas from high—e.g. in a borehole or in a main pipeline down to the pressure value required for the consumer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Vladimir Yaroslavovich, Oleg Mikhaliovich Kiselev
  • Publication number: 20030150222
    Abstract: The present invention is an air treatment system for airplanes. It includes: (a.) an environmental conditioning system located within an airplane to provide at least one of heating, cooling, and compressing air, and has ingress ductwork to remove air from an airplane cabin into the system, and an air movement mechanism, e.g. blowers, or equivalent devices, to cycle the air from the cabin and into the environmental conditioning system via the ingress ductwork. It also has egress ductwork for return of treated air into the cabin; and, (b.) an ionic oxygen generator connected to one or both of the ingress ductwork and the egress ductwork. The ionic oxygen generator may be one or more, and should be of sufficient capacity to generate at least 200 ions of ionic oxygen per cubic centimeter of incoming air for removal of airborne contaminants and odor from exiting air before it is returned to the cabin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Applicant: Bentax of North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard J. Mirowsky, Paul D. Mirowsky
  • Patent number: 6604367
    Abstract: A system for providing refrigeration to a chemical processing operation wherein a refrigerant fluid is compressed and cooled, and a portion turboexpanded prior to being passed to a chemical processing operation for direct contact or indirect heat exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Mushtaq Ahmed, Theodore Fringelin Fisher
  • Patent number: 6595010
    Abstract: This invention relates to an air-conditioning system for passenger aircraft for conditioning humidity-containing air under excess pressure for air-conditioning a passenger aircraft cabin, comprising at least one compressor and two expansion turbines, where in accordance with the invention a droplet coalescing device with succeeding water separator is disposed between the expansion turbines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignees: Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH, Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Sauterleute, Michel Jonqueres