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.

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.

The invention relates to an air conditioning system for a cabin (10) of an aircraft (80) comprising: a bleed air source (12); a ram-air circulation channel (13); a network of pipes and control valves; an air cycle turbine engine comprising at least one compressor (3) and a power turbine (4) which are mechanically connected to one another; and at least one primary cooling exchanger (PHX) which is accommodated in said channel (13), characterized in that said pipe network comprises a thermal power pipe (53) which is suitable for being able to fluidically connect, upon control of at least one control valve (25, 21), said air outlet (4b) of said power turbine (4) and said ram-air circulation channel (13) upstream of said primary exchanger (PHX) so that said bleed air expanded by said power turbine (4) can form a thermal energy source for said ram air being supplied to said primary circuit of said primary exchanger (PHX).

The embodiments relate to reducing condensate precipitate on inner surfaces of an outer skin of an aircraft and adjacent components. The condensate precipitate is reduced by supplying dry air to an upper region of an air gap which extends between the upper region and a lower region and is disposed between the outer skin of an aircraft and an insulation arranged between a cabin wall and the outer skin of an aircraft. The dry air may be obtained with low effort and at low cost by sucking it off from the lower region of the air gap and conducted in one or more lines to the upper region of the air gap, where it is allowed to re-enter the air gap. The lines are connected to fans which create a pressure difference in the lines, which moves the dry air from the inlet opening or openings to the outlet openings.

An environmental control system of an aircraft includes a primary heat exchanger, a secondary heat exchanger and an air cycle machine. The air cycle machine includes a compressor fluidly coupled to an outlet of the primary heat exchanger and an inlet of the secondary heat exchanger, a dehumidification system arranged in fluid communication with the outlet of the secondary heat exchanger, a first turbine fluidly coupled to an outlet of the secondary heat exchanger and optionally a second turbine disposed downstream of the first turbine that receives air from the first turbine in a normal mode a first humidity sensor disposed fluidly between the first turbine and the second turbine that measures humidity of air that has left the first turbine as it enters the second turbine in the normal mode.

An aircraft environmental control system includes means for mixing and conditioning bleed air from a bleed air input and recirculation air from an aircraft interior to provide mixed, conditioned air to the aircraft interior. The system also includes a first contaminant removal device and a second contaminant removal device arranged in a path of at least part of the recirculation air, prior to the means for mixing and conditioning, and a valve (SV1) arranged to alternate flow of recirculation air through the first and second contaminant removal devices.

An equipment unit for installation in an aircraft includes an enclosure, in which at least one movable mechanical element is arranged, a supply duct, and a non-return valve, wherein the enclosure includes an inflow port and an outflow port, wherein the supply duct is connected to the inflow port, wherein the non-return valve is connected to the outflow port, wherein the supply duct is connectable to a source of heated air providable in the respective aircraft, and wherein the enclosure is designed that air supplied through the supply duct enters the enclosure through the inflow port, picks up moisture from inside the enclosure and exits through the outflow port.

A water extractor for an environmental control system of an aircraft includes a separation mechanism configured to divide an airflow into a first airflow and a second airflow. The separation mechanism includes an inlet conduit, a body in fluid communication with the inlet conduit, and at least one coalescing feature arranged within an interior of the body. A water extraction vessel is arranged in fluid communication with the separation mechanism. The water extraction vessel includes a first portion for receiving the first airflow and a second portion for receiving the second airflow. The first portion is configured to collect and remove water from the first airflow.

A hand drying system for an aircraft lavatory includes a hand blower tap with an inlet configured to connect to an aircraft environmental control system (ECS) to receive a flow of conditioned air from the ECS. A valve is operatively connected to the inlet to selectively block flow from the ECS and allow flow from the ECS through the hand blower tap.

An aircraft includes a fuselage defining a cabin region and a crown region. The aircraft also includes a duct disposed within the fuselage. The duct is coupled to one or more drying air vents disposed in the crown region and coupled to one or more cabin vents disposed with the cabin region. The one or more drying air vents are configured to output drying air, received via the duct, into the crown region, and the one or more cabin vents are configured to output conditioned air, received via the duct, into the cabin region. The aircraft further includes one or more valves coupled to the duct and configured to, in a first valve position, route airflow within the duct to the one or more drying air vents and configured to, in a second valve position, route the airflow within the duct to the one or more cabin vents.