Patent classifications
B64D2013/0666
Double-walled pipe
A double-walled pipe includes an inner wall, which bounds a flowpath for a first fluid such as air, an outer wall radially spaced from the inner wall so that there is an annular gap between the inner wall and the outer wall; and walls extending in the annular gap between the inner wall and the outer wall, such that flow passages are formed in the annular gap, through which a temperature-controlled fluid can be circulated to control the temperature of the inner wall. The double-walled pipe is formed by an additive manufacturing process. The walls may be helical walls, defining helical flow passages.
COOLED AIR SOURCE FOR A CATALYTIC INERTING CONDENSER
An aircraft inert gas generating system includes a fuel source, an air-fuel mixing unit configured to receive an amount of the fuel and an amount of air an create an air-fuel mixture, and a catalytic oxidation unit downstream of the air-fuel mixing unit and configured to receive and react the air-fuel mixture. The system further includes a condenser downstream of and in flow communication with the catalytic oxidation unit and a cabin exhaust circuit in flow communication with the condenser and configured to provide cabin exhaust air at a first temperature to the condenser. In an alternative embodiment, a pressurized air circuit can provide a stream of cooling air to the condenser. The pressurized air circuit includes a source of pressurized air and a chiller downstream of the source and configured to bring the pressurized air to a first temperature.
CLOSED LOOP ICING CONTROL FOR HEAT EXCHANGERS
A heat exchanger has a heat exchanger body, an inlet for a fluid to be cooled, and an outlet for the fluid to be cooled. There is also an inlet for a cooling fluid and an outlet for the cooling fluid. The cooling fluid and the fluid to be cooled connects to the heat exchanger, but are maintained separate in the heat exchanger such that the cooling fluid lowers the temperature of the fluid to be cooled. The cooling fluid and the fluid to be cooled connects to pass through the heat exchanger, but are maintained separate such that the cooling fluid lowers the temperature of the fluid to be cooled. An ice detector detects an undesirable amount of ice particles in the cooling fluid. A control receives information from the ice detector and controls electric heating elements should an undesirable amount of ice particles be detected. An aircraft is also described.
Mid-pressure water collector (MPWC) with helical flow channel and radial scuppers
A water extractor is provided and includes a helical channel, a toroidal body encompassing the helical channel and defining an exhaust plenum beyond the helical channel and comprising a first outlet, an outer body defining a settling chamber about the toroidal body and including a second outlet and a drain and a scupper disposed to direct moisture, which is separated from a medium flowing through the helical channel, from the helical channel and into the settling chamber. The medium is flowable from the helical channel into the exhaust plenum and then sequentially through the first and second outlets to pressurize collected moisture flow from the settling chamber and through the drain.
AIRCRAFT INCORPORATING A POWER UNIT FOR GENERATING ELECTRIC, PNEUMATIC AND/OR HYDRAULIC POWER
The invention relates to an aircraft incorporating an enhanced power unit for generating electric, pneumatic and/or hydraulic power for the aircraft during all stages of the aircraft operation. The power unit (1) comprises: a heat engine (14) with a drive shaft (2) and a combustion gases exhaust (7). The power unit (1) also includes a Rankine cycle system (12) for recovering thermal energy from a heat source of the power unit (1) for the assistance of the heat engine (14). The heat source for the Rankine cycle system can be taken from the exhaust gases of the heat engine, from the oil coolant circuit of the heat engine or from the output of a compressor driven by the heat engine. Preferably, the aircraft cabin air is reused as a source of oxygen for the combustion. The invention reduces bleed air extraction from the aircraft main engines thereby reducing fuel consumption.
HYBRID ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL SYSTEM FOR SPLIT COOLING
A vehicle includes a first area conditioned by a first medium, a second area conditioned by a second medium, and an air management system. The air management system includes a source of third medium, an environmental control system fluidly coupled to the source of third medium and to the second area, and a closed loop vapor compression system having a refrigeration medium circulating therein. The vapor compression system is fluidly coupled to the first area, the second area, and the source of third medium. During normal operation, both a first flow of the third medium conditioned within the environmental control system and a second flow of the third medium are provided to the second area.
Flight deck takeoff duct and trim air mix muff
An exemplary ventilation air mixer includes a branch air duct and a trim air mixer. The branch air duct has an inlet that is configured to be coupled to a takeoff port of a main air source duct. The branch air duct has multiple holes arranged about a wall of a mixing portion. The trim air mixer at least partially surrounds the branch air duct and forms a cavity extending from the inlet of the branch air duct to at least the mixing portion. The trim air mixer has a trim air source duct connection coupled at an angle about a midsection. The angle is substantially acute relate to a longitudinal axis of the branch air duct such that trim air entering into the trim air mixer via the trim air source duct connection is directed toward the inlet of the branch air duct.
MID-PRESSURE WATER COLLECTOR (MPWC) WITH HELICAL FLOW CHANNEL AND RADIAL SCUPPERS
A water extractor is provided and includes a helical channel, a toroidal body encompassing the helical channel and defining an exhaust plenum beyond the helical channel and comprising a first outlet, an outer body defining a settling chamber about the toroidal body and including a second outlet and a drain and a scupper disposed to direct moisture, which is separated from a medium flowing through the helical channel, from the helical channel and into the settling chamber. The medium is flowable from the helical channel into the exhaust plenum and then sequentially through the first and second outlets to pressurize collected moisture flow from the settling chamber and through the drain.
AIRFLOW MIX MANIFOLD
An airflow mix manifold includes a can and a tower extending from the can. The can includes an interior sidewall that defines a main mixing chamber. The can defines at least one inlet aperture through the interior sidewall to receive airflow into the main mixing chamber. The can includes a moisture collection gutter that is open to the main mixing chamber and is configured to collect moisture from the airflow that coalesces onto the interior sidewall. The moisture collection gutter extends circumferentially along the can. The tower defines secondary mixing chamber and includes one or more outlets. The secondary mixing chamber is configured to receive the airflow downstream of the can and to direct the airflow to the one or more outlets.
DOUBLE-WALLED PIPE
A double-walled pipe includes an inner wall, which bounds a flowpath for a first fluid such as air, an outer wall radially spaced from the inner wall so that there is an annular gap between the inner wall and the outer wall; and walls extending in the annular gap between the inner wall and the outer wall, such that flow passages are formed in the annular gap, through which a temperature-controlled fluid can be circulated to control the temperature of the inner wall. The double-walled pipe is formed by an additive manufacturing process. The walls may be helical walls, defining helical flow passages.