A system and method for providing inerting gas to a protected space is disclosed. The system includes an air separation module that includes an air inlet, a membrane with a permeability differential between oxygen and nitrogen, a nitrogen-enriched air outlet, and an oxygen-enriched air outlet. The system also includes an air flow path between an air source and the air separation module inlet, and an inerting gas flow path between the air separation module nitrogen-enriched air outlet and the protected space.

A linear detector element includes an outer sheath having a first end and a second end, one or more shape memory responsive elements within the outer sheath and between the first end and the second end and first and second conductive wires passing through at least a portion of the outer sheath and through the one or more shape memory responsive elements. The one more shape memory responsive elements include a shape memory actuator surrounding the first and second conductive wires and that has an expanded size and a contracted size and that is sized and arranged such that when the shape memory actuator is in the contracted state the first and second conductive wires contact one another and when the shape memory actuator is in the expanded state the first and second conductive wires do not contact one another.

A linear detector element includes an outer sheath having a first end and a second end, one or more shape memory responsive elements within the outer sheath and between the first end and the second end and first and second conductive wires passing through at least a portion of the outer sheath and through the one or more shape memory responsive elements. The one more shape memory responsive elements include a shape memory actuator surrounding the first and second conductive wires and that has an expanded size and a contracted size and that is sized and arranged such that when the shape memory actuator is in the contracted state the first and second conductive wires contact one another and when the shape memory actuator is in the expanded state the first and second conductive wires do not contact one another.

A method and a system for inerting an aircraft fuel tank includes at least one inert gas generator. The device includes at least means of determining the inert gas requirement of the aircraft tank(s) in real-time, means of regulating the inert gas flow rate of an inert gas generator, and controlled distribution means of the inert gas in the various fuel tanks and/or various compartments of an aircraft fuel tank. A control unit is capable of real-time determination of an inert gas flow rate setting according to the inert gas requirement of the tank(s) of the aircraft transmitted by the means of determining the inert gas requirement, the settings being transmitted in real time to the inert gas flow rate regulating means, and is also capable of determining the inert gas distribution control settings to the controlled distribution means of inert gas into the various fuel tanks and/or various compartments of a fuel tank.

A method and a system for inerting an aircraft fuel tank includes at least one inert gas generator. The device includes at least means of determining the inert gas requirement of the aircraft tank(s) in real-time, means of regulating the inert gas flow rate of an inert gas generator, and controlled distribution means of the inert gas in the various fuel tanks and/or various compartments of an aircraft fuel tank. A control unit is capable of real-time determination of an inert gas flow rate setting according to the inert gas requirement of the tank(s) of the aircraft transmitted by the means of determining the inert gas requirement, the settings being transmitted in real time to the inert gas flow rate regulating means, and is also capable of determining the inert gas distribution control settings to the controlled distribution means of inert gas into the various fuel tanks and/or various compartments of a fuel tank.

An inert gas distribution system nozzle 1 including an inlet 10 to receive fluid from a fluid supply, a chamber 32 to receive the fluid from the inlet and dimensioned relative to the inlet to permit the fluid to expand to form a mist, and at least one passage 34 to receive the fluid from the chamber and dimensioned relative to the chamber to promote condensing of the mist, wherein the, or each, passage comprises an outlet 40 to emit the fluid from the nozzle. A cross-sectional area of the passage is less than a cross-sectional area of the chamber.

An inert gas distribution system nozzle 1 including an inlet 10 to receive fluid from a fluid supply, a chamber 32 to receive the fluid from the inlet and dimensioned relative to the inlet to permit the fluid to expand to form a mist, and at least one passage 34 to receive the fluid from the chamber and dimensioned relative to the chamber to promote condensing of the mist, wherein the, or each, passage comprises an outlet 40 to emit the fluid from the nozzle. A cross-sectional area of the passage is less than a cross-sectional area of the chamber.

Redundant electrochemical systems and methods for vehicles are described. The systems include a first electrochemical device located at a first position on the vehicle wherein the first electrochemical device is configured to generate at least one of inert gas, oxygen, and electrical power and a second electrochemical device located at a second position on the vehicle wherein the second electrochemical device is configured to generate at least one of inert gas, oxygen, and electrical power. The first electrochemical device is configured to operate in a first mode during normal operation of the vehicle and a second mode when the second electrochemical device fails, wherein in the second mode, the first electrochemical device provides the at least one of inert gas, oxygen, and electrical power for at least one vehicle critical system of the vehicle.

Redundant electrochemical systems and methods for vehicles are described. The systems include a first electrochemical device located at a first position on the vehicle wherein the first electrochemical device is configured to generate at least one of inert gas, oxygen, and electrical power and a second electrochemical device located at a second position on the vehicle wherein the second electrochemical device is configured to generate at least one of inert gas, oxygen, and electrical power. The first electrochemical device is configured to operate in a first mode during normal operation of the vehicle and a second mode when the second electrochemical device fails, wherein in the second mode, the first electrochemical device provides the at least one of inert gas, oxygen, and electrical power for at least one vehicle critical system of the vehicle.

A system is disclosed for providing inerting gas to a protected space, and also providing electrical power. The system includes an electrochemical cell comprising a cathode and an anode separated by a separator comprising a proton transfer medium. Inerting gas is produced at the cathode. A fuel source comprising methanol or formaldehyde or ethanol and a water source are each in controllable operative fluid communication with the anode. A controller is configured to alternatively operate the system in a first mode of operation where water is directed to the anode fluid flow path inlet and electric power is directed from a power source to the electrochemical cell, and in a second mode of operation in which the fuel is directed from the fuel source to the anode fluid flow path inlet and electric power is directed from the electrochemical cell to the power sink.