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US 10,946,969 B2Granted
Split ventilation systems
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsCasey Y. K. Ng, Gregg G. LaVoy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A ventilation system, aircraft, and method. The ventilation system includes a first conduit in fluid communication with a first air source in the aircraft to direct a fluid flow from the first air source. The ventilation system also includes a first branch in fluid communication with the first conduit and a first outflow point, the first branch including an active air mover to move the fluid flow toward the first outflow point. The ventilation system further includes a second branch that is separate from the first branch and in fluid communication with the first conduit and a second outflow point, the second branch including a passive air mover to move the fluid flow to toward the second outflow point.
Claims20
A ventilation system for an aircraft, the ventilation system comprising:
- a first conduit, in fluid communication with a first air source in the aircraft, configured to direct a first fluid flow away from the first air source;
- a first branch in fluid communication with the first conduit and a first outflow point at a first interface between an interior and an exterior of the aircraft, the first branch comprising a first active air mover within the first branch configured to move the first fluid flow toward the first outflow point, wherein the first branch does not include a passive air mover within the first branch;
- a second branch that is separate from the first branch and in fluid communication with the first conduit and a second outflow point at a second interface between the interior and the exterior of the aircraft, the second branch comprising a first passive air mover within the second branch configured to move the first fluid flow to the second outflow point, wherein the second branch does not include an active air mover within the second branch;
- and
- at least one detector located in the first conduit, the first branch, the second branch, or a combination thereof;
- wherein the at least one detector is responsive to pressure, flow rate, or both.
3 more elements
An aircraft, comprising:
- a fuselage comprising a first air source;
- and
- a first ventilation system comprising:
- a first conduit, in fluid communication with the first air source, configured to direct a first fluid flow away from the first air source;
- a first branch in fluid communication with the first conduit and a first outflow point at a first interface between an interior and an exterior of the aircraft, the first branch comprising a first active air mover configured to move the first fluid flow toward the first outflow point, wherein the first branch does not include a passive air mover within the first branch;
- a second branch that is separate from the first branch and in fluid communication with the first conduit and a second outflow point at a second interface between the interior and the exterior of the aircraft, the second branch comprising a first passive air mover configured to move the first fluid flow to the second outflow point, wherein the second branch does not include an active air mover within the second branch;
- and
- at least one detector located in the first conduit, the first branch, the second branch, or a combination thereof;
- wherein the at least one detector is responsive to pressure, flow rate, or both.
6 more elements
A method for venting air from an aircraft, the method comprising:
- powering a first active air mover within a first branch of a first ventilation system to move air from a first air source of the aircraft through a first conduit, and to a first outflow point at a first interface between an interior and an exterior of the aircraft, wherein the first branch does not include a passive air mover within the first branch;
- opening a first shutoff valve, within a second branch of the first ventilation system, to move air from the first conduit to a second outflow point at a second interface between the interior and the exterior of the aircraft using a first passive air mover within the second branch, wherein the second branch does not include an active air mover within the second branch;
- and
- determining that an airflow rate through the first conduit is below a threshold;
- wherein the opening of the first shutoff valve is in response to determining that the airflow rate through the first conduit is below the threshold.
2 more elements
A method for venting air from an aircraft, the method comprising:
- powering a first active air mover within a first branch of a first ventilation system to move air from a first air source of the aircraft through a first conduit, and to a first outflow point at a first interface between an interior and an exterior of the aircraft, wherein the first branch does not include a passive air mover within the first branch;
- opening a first shutoff valve, within a second branch of the first ventilation system, to move air from the first conduit to a second outflow point at a second interface between the interior and the exterior of the aircraft using a first passive air mover within the second branch, wherein the second branch does not include an active air mover within the second branch;
- and
- determining that a pressure in the second branch is below a threshold;
- wherein the opening of the first shutoff valve is in response to determining that the pressure in the second branch is below the threshold.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.