Patent classifications
B64D2013/003
OVERHEAD FLOW DISTRIBUTION ASSEMBLY FOR AIRCRAFT CABIN
An overhead flow distribution assembly for an aircraft cabin, including a conduit defining a plenum having an inlet, upper outlets and lower outlets, the upper outlets spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal direction of the aircraft, the lower outlets spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction, the inlet being located between the upper outlets and the lower outlets, and a baffle extending within the plenum along the longitudinal direction, the baffle being located between the upper outlets and at least part of the inlet along a transverse direction normal to the longitudinal direction, the baffle having openings defined therethrough, the baffle configured to restrict airflow from the at least part of the inlet toward the upper outlets. A method of balancing a flow in an overhead flow distribution assembly for an aircraft cabin is also discussed.
Unified passenger service unit (PSU) control
A unified passenger service unit (PSU) control concentrically incorporates a reading light, a gasper outlet, and a notification ring within a control knob rotatable or pushable (via a pushbutton or the control knob itself) by an occupant of the aircraft seat to which the PSU control corresponds. The notification ring may be activated by the passenger or by the cabin crew, and may be visible throughout the aircraft. The notification rings may indicate an attendant call, or be activated by the crew in groups or waves to direct passenger activity. The PSU control includes a user interface (UI) display that serves as a control interface for the gasper outlet and reading light. The UI display may also show indicators or messages sent by the cabin crew.
Integrated liquid heat exchanger and outflow valve systems and methods
An aircraft outflow valve with a heat exchanger is disclosed herein. The aircraft outflow valve can include a heat exchanger that includes an air flow path. Air can flow through the air flow path and exit the outflow valve through an opening at the end of the air flow path. Such airflow can regulate the internal pressure of the aircraft and can also dissipate heat from the outflow valve. The outflow valve can further include a liquid coolant flow path. The liquid coolant flow path can be coupled to liquid coolant lines of electronics of the aircraft. Thus, heat from the electronics of the aircraft can be dissipated through heat transfer between the coolant and the outflow valve, which is accordingly cooled by the airflow through the heat exchanger.
CABIN PRESSURE CONTROL SYSTEM WITH ALL-ELECTRIC OFV, USING DIS-SIMILAR MANUAL CONTROL THAT PERFORMS CABIN ALTITUDE HOLD FUNCTION
The disclosure is directed to an independent manual control system of an all-electric cabin pressure control system (CPCS). The manual control system may include a momentary electrical switch to manually set the position of an outflow valve (OFV) along with a closed loop control to hold the cabin pressure at the pressure setpoint. The closed loop control of the manual control system is independent from the automatic pressure control functions of the all-electric CPCS.
PASSENGER SERVICE UNIT WITH COVER
A passenger service unit assembly that includes a frame that defines at least an oxygen opening and a service opening, an oxygen mask housing positioned adjacent the oxygen opening, an oxygen mask housing cover positioned to cover the oxygen opening, and a service cover positioned to cover the service opening. An oxygen mask that is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position is positioned in the oxygen mask housing. The oxygen mask housing cover maintains the oxygen mask in the stowed position. The oxygen mask housing cover is movable between a closed position and an open position. When the oxygen mask housing cover is moved to the deployed position, the oxygen mask drops to the deployed position via gravity. The service cover is movable between a closed position and an open position and includes at least a first passenger service unit component associated therewith.
OUTFLOW VALVE ASSEMBLIES INCLUDING NON-METALLIC FRAMES AND ENHANCED ATTACHMENT FEATURES
Outflow valve (OFV) assemblies including non-metallic frames and enhanced attachment features are provided. In embodiments, the OFV assembly includes a non-metallic frame to which at least one valve door is pivotally mounted. The non-metallic frame may, in turn, include a generally rectangular frame body, a central opening through the frame body, an outer peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of the frame body. Frame attachment interfaces are distributed or spaced around the outer peripheral flange of the non-metallic frame. The frame attachment interfaces include fastener openings and elevated platform regions, which project from an inboard side of the outer peripheral flange and through which the fastener openings extend. Base plates seat against the elevated platform regions. Fasteners engage the base plates and extend through the fastener openings to an outboard side of the outer peripheral flange to attach the OFV assembly to an aircraft fuselage.
AIRFLOW DIVERTER FOR AIRCRAFT AND METHOD OF USE
Disclosed is a stowable airflow diverter for removable attachment to a floor vent of a turbine aircraft. The air diverter comprises vertical ducting extending from a base. A flexible gasket and magnets are attached to the base for engagement with the floor vent. A nozzle attached to the vertical ducting redirects the airflow emanating from the floor vent from horizontal to vertical in order to direct air conditioned air into the cock pit of the aircraft. In an alternate embodiment, the nozzle is rotatable with respect to the vertical axis of the duct. In another alternate embodiment, the nozzle and vertical duct comprise telescoping segments such that the device can be collapsed into the floor vent.
UNIVERSAL PASSENGER SERVICE UNIT
A personal service unit (PSU) includes a housing, a dial, and a flow control ring. The dial is rotatable about the housing. The housing includes a longitudinal axis therethrough and a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The dial includes a helical first portion along an interior wall of the dial. The flow control ring includes a helical second portion along an exterior wall of the flow control ring. The helical second portion rotatably mates with the helical first portion and rotation of the dial in a first direction moves the flow control ring in a first direction along the longitudinal axis to cause a first adjustment in airflow past the flow control ring and rotation of the flow control ring in an opposite direction moves the flow control ring in an opposite direction to cause a second adjustment in airflow past the flow control ring.
Three Dimensional Pinched Airflow Nozzle and Methods for Use Thereof
Apparatus and methods for providing a desired volumetric conditioned airflow rate and for reducing noise level, airflow recirculation and airflow separation are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a nozzle housing having a pair of opposing sidewalls and a front and back wall that define an airflow passage. The airflow passage has a centerline extending between the inlet and the outlet and has a plurality of cross-sections taken perpendicular to the centerline that collectively define a smooth contour along a length of the airflow passage. The cross-sections each have a thickness between the front and back wall that is greater at side edges than at the centerline. The thickness of the cross-sections decreases along a length of at least a first portion of the nozzle housing. A width of each of the cross-sections between the sidewalls increases along the length of at least the first portion of the nozzle housing.
Service trolley for inspecting an interior cabin of a vehicle
A service trolley for inspecting an interior cabin of a vehicle including a plurality of seats is disclosed. The service trolley includes a container body supported by a plurality of wheels, at least one image capture device, and a control module in communication with the image capture device and a database. The image capture device is mounted to the container body and is positioned along an outer surface of the container body in a location relative to the interior cabin of the vehicle to view the plurality of seats. The database stores image data of the plurality of seats of the vehicle. The control module executes instructions to compare the image data stored in the database with the image of a specific seat to determine a presence of at least one defect on an exterior of a specific seat in the interior cabin of the vehicle.