A method of retrofitting an environmental control system of an aircraft includes inserting the orifice plate through the connector slot and the connector ring slot into the receptacle. The method also includes aligning the covering portion with the connector slot.

A method of retrofitting an environmental control system of an aircraft includes inserting the orifice plate through the connector slot and the connector ring slot into the receptacle. The method also includes aligning the covering portion with the connector slot.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the use of the fuel cell systems on board aircraft and other passenger transportation vehicles and to methods of using heat, air, and water generated by such fuel cell systems. The heat may be used to address condensation within the aircraft. The heat may be used to help evaporate excess water that would otherwise condense in the aircraft skin. The excess water collected may be used to create humidification for cabin air. In other examples, the heat, warmed air, or warmed water may be delivered to other locations or heating systems for beneficial use.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the use of the fuel cell systems on board aircraft and other passenger transportation vehicles and to methods of using heat, air, and water generated by such fuel cell systems. The heat may be used to address condensation within the aircraft. The heat may be used to help evaporate excess water that would otherwise condense in the aircraft skin. The excess water collected may be used to create humidification for cabin air. In other examples, the heat, warmed air, or warmed water may be delivered to other locations or heating systems for beneficial use.

A bearing monitoring system for an air cycle machine includes a housing. Also included is a compressor disposed within the housing. Further included is a turbine disposed within the housing. Yet further included is an axial shaft operatively coupled to the compressor and the turbine, the axial shaft disposed within the housing and between a first plurality of bearings. Also included is a radial shaft extending from the axial shaft, the radial shaft disposed within the housing and between a second plurality of bearings. Further included is at least one sensor mounted to the housing and oriented to monitor deflection of the radial shaft.

An environmental control system includes an air conditioning subsystem and a contaminant removal subsystem downstream of the environment to be conditioned. The contaminant removal subsystem includes: a first gas-liquid contactor-separator; a second gas-liquid contactor-separator; and a dehumidifier disposed either upstream of the first gas-liquid contactor-separator or downstream of the second gas-liquid contactor-separator.

An environmental control system includes an air conditioning subsystem and a contaminant removal subsystem downstream of the environment to be conditioned. The contaminant removal subsystem includes: a first gas-liquid contactor-separator; a second gas-liquid contactor-separator; and a dehumidifier disposed either upstream of the first gas-liquid contactor-separator or downstream of the second gas-liquid contactor-separator.

An air cycle machine for extracting bleed air from a gas turbine engine of an aircraft is provided. The air cycle machine extracts a stream of low pressure bleed air and a stream of high pressure bleed air from a compressor section of the gas turbine engine. The air cycle machine includes a compressor that receives the stream of low pressure bleed air and a turbine that receives the stream of high pressure bleed air. The stream of high pressure bleed air is expanded as it drives the turbine, and the stream of low pressure bleed air is compressed by the compressor. The resulting streams of bleed air are substantially the same pressure, such that they may be merged using a junction into a combined bleed air stream having a temperature and pressure suitable for use by a variety of aircraft accessory systems, such as an environmental control system. The air cycle machine may further power or be powered from an electrical storage device or generator on the fan.

An air cycle machine for extracting bleed air from a gas turbine engine of an aircraft is provided. The air cycle machine extracts a stream of low pressure bleed air and a stream of high pressure bleed air from a compressor section of the gas turbine engine. The air cycle machine includes a compressor that receives the stream of low pressure bleed air and a turbine that receives the stream of high pressure bleed air. The stream of high pressure bleed air is expanded as it drives the turbine, and the stream of low pressure bleed air is compressed by the compressor. The resulting streams of bleed air are substantially the same pressure, such that they may be merged using a junction into a combined bleed air stream having a temperature and pressure suitable for use by a variety of aircraft accessory systems, such as an environmental control system. The air cycle machine may further power or be powered from an electrical storage device or generator on the fan.

A maintenance system is provided for an environment conditioning element of an environmental control system (ECS) of a vehicle. The system includes a data collection module configured to receive geographical areas of travel for the vehicle over respective periods of time. The data collection module is configured to determine a pollution value and a time value for each of the geographic areas of travel. The system further includes a pollution count module coupled to the data collection module and receiving the pollution values and the time values. The pollution count module is configured to determine a pollution count for the environment conditioning element based on the pollution values and the time values. The system further includes a reporting module coupled to the pollution count module and receiving the pollution count. The reporting module is configured to generate a report for a user that includes the pollution count.