An onboard inert gas system has an electrochemical and a membrane gas separator. The electrochemical separator includes an electrochemical cell including a cathode and anode separated by an electrolyte separator. An electrical power source provides power to the electrical circuit at a voltage that electrolyzes water at the anode and forms water at the cathode, or reduces oxygen at the cathode and forms oxygen at the anode. Oxygen is consumed at the cathode, providing nitrogen-enriched air. Nitrogen-enriched air from the cathode is connected by a flow path to the membrane gas separator, which comprises a membrane having a greater permeability to oxygen or water than to nitrogen. Nitrogen-enriched air from the membrane gas separator that is further enriched in nitrogen, reduced in water content, or both, is connected by a flow path to a fuel tank, a fire suppression system, or both a fuel tank and a fire suppression system.

Overheat and fire detection for aircraft systems includes an optical controller and a fiber optic loop extending from the optical controller. The fiber optic loop extends through one or more zones of the aircraft. An optical signal is transmitted through the fiber optic loop from the optical controller and is also received back at the optical controller. The optical controller analyzes the optical signal to determine the temperature, strain, or both experienced within the zones.

A ventilation louver (10) includes a first plate (52) defining a first opening (74) therein for permitting fluid flow along a first direction (128), a second plate (54) defining a vane (82) therein, the vane at least partially covering the first opening and directing the fluid flow along a second direction (130), non-parallel to the first direction, and a third plate (56) defining a louvered opening (108) therein wherein the louvered opening directs fluid flow along a third direction (138), non-parallel to both the first direction and the second direction. In a non-limiting example, the ventilation louver may be disposed in a belly fairing of an aircraft.

An onboard electrochemical system of an electrochemical cell including a cathode and an anode separated by an electrolyte separator is selectively operated in either of two modes. In a first mode of operation, water or air is directed to the anode, electric power is provided to the anode and cathode to provide a voltage difference between the anode and the cathode, and nitrogen-enriched air is directed from the cathode to an aircraft fuel tank or aircraft fire suppression system. In a second mode of operation, fuel is directed to the anode, electric power is directed from the anode and cathode to one or more aircraft electric power-consuming systems or components, and nitrogen-enriched air is directed from the cathode to a fuel tank or fire suppression system.

A heat shield including a main component and at least one secondary component for a part of an aircraft are disclosed including a main component adhesively bonded to the part and at least one secondary component secured removably to the main component. The main component and the secondary component are made from at least one material that simultaneously provides thermal protection and fire protection, therefore making it possible to obtain a heat shield that is particularly effective and includes at least one removable secondary component allowing access.

A heat shield for protecting a part of an aircraft is disclosed including superposed layers providing thermal protection, and one or more layers providing fire protection. The heat shield also may include other layers implementing other functions.

A system is disclosed for providing inerting gas to a protected space. The system includes an electrochemical cell including a cathode, an anode separated by a separator that includes an ion transfer medium, and an electrical connection to a power source or power sink. A cathode fluid flow path is in operative fluid communication with a catalyst at the cathode between a cathode fluid flow path inlet and a cathode fluid flow path outlet, and an anode fluid flow path is in operative fluid communication with a catalyst at the anode, and includes an anode fluid flow path outlet. A cathode supply fluid flow path is disposed between the protected space and the cathode fluid flow path inlet, and an inerting gas flow path is in operative fluid communication with the cathode flow path outlet and the protected space.

A smoke mitigation system for an aircraft includes an exhaust shutter in an upper region of a fuselage of the aircraft. The exhaust shutter has a closed position in which the exhaust shutter does not exchange air from outside of the fuselage with air inside of a passenger cabin that is within the fuselage and an open position in which the exhaust shutter exchanges air from outside of the fuselage and inside of the passenger cabin, thereby enabling escape of smoke from the passenger cabin. The system includes one or more devices for opening the exhaust shutter and a device for initiating opening of the exhaust shutter. The device for initiating opening of the exhaust shutter includes mechanisms for determining that it is safe to open the exhaust shutter.

The present invention extends to methods, systems, devices, apparatus, and computer program products for protecting against runaway thermal failure of a battery pack. A fireproof container is built with a thermo-sensitive panel cover leading to the outside environment. When battery failure causes temperatures to rise inside one of the compartments, the panel cover material reacts, causing it open, allowing flames and hot gasses to vent and preventing the buildup of heat internally. Internal sensors may detect the activation of the cover material and allow an electric or electronic circuit to isolate the contents of the failed container from the rest of the system.

An assembly including a fuel cell arranged in a housing, the fuel cell includes an anode having an admission and an anode discharge, and a cathode having an oxygen admission and a cathode discharge, the assembly includes the housing and a sealed enclosure in which the fuel cell is arranged and configured in such a manner that the gas discharged by the fuel cell is discharged into the sealed enclosure so as to generate an over-pressure of oxygen-depleted air inside the sealed enclosure.