# US 11,306,947 B2 · Temperature control system in a passenger service unit

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- Number: US 11,306,947 B2
- Document ID: US11306947B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/741,360
- Filed: 2020-01-13
- Published: 2021-07-15
- Granted: 2022-04-19
- Earliest claimed: 2020-01-13
- Assignees: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
- Applicants: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
- Inventors: Abbas A. Alahyari
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11306947B2

## CPC

- B64D 13/06: the air being conditioned (pressurising B64D13/02)
- F25B 9/04: using vortex effect
- B60H 1/00821: {the components being ventilating, air admitting or air distributing devices}
- B60H 1/3407: {providing an air stream in a fixed direction, e.g. using a grid or porous panel}
- B60H 1/3457: {Outlets providing a vortex, i.e. a spirally wound air flow}
- B64D 13/02: the air being pressurised
- B60H 2001/3485: {Air temperature regulation}
- B64D 2013/003: {Cabin ventilation nozzles}
- F24F 2013/0612: {Induction nozzles without swirl means}
- F24F 2221/46: Air flow forming a vortex
- B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- F25B: REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- B60H: ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
- F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02)

## Abstract

A temperature control system in an aircraft passenger service unit is disclosed. In embodiments, the system includes a swirl chamber configured to receive an inlet air stream, and a vortex tube configured to receive the inlet air stream from the swirl chamber and separate the inlet air stream into a warmer air stream and a cooler air stream. In embodiments, the system further includes a nozzle configured to direct a temperature-controlled air stream into a passenger space of an aircraft; wherein the nozzle is configured to be selectably adjusted in order to selectively blend the warmer air stream and the cooler air stream in order to generate the temperature-controlled air stream.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A temperature control system in an aircraft passenger service unit, comprising:
a swirl chamber configured to receive an inlet air stream;
a vortex tube configured to receive the inlet air stream from the swirl chamber and separate the inlet air stream into a warmer air stream and a cooler air stream;
a nozzle configured to direct a temperature-controlled air stream into a passenger space of an aircraft; wherein the nozzle is configured to be selectably adjusted in order to selectively blend the warmer air stream and the cooler air stream in order to generate the temperature-controlled air stream.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the nozzle is configured to receive two or more air streams from the vortex tube.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the nozzle is configured to be selectively adjusted in order to:
selectively decrease an air flow rate of the temperature-controlled air stream into the passenger space;
selectively increase an air flow rate of the temperature-controlled air stream into the passenger space;
selectively control a direction of airflow of the temperature-controlled air stream; and
selectively blend the cooler air stream and the warmer air stream to generate the temperature-controlled air stream of a desired temperature.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the nozzle is selected from the group consisting of a multi-gas nozzle, eductor nozzle, spillback nozzle, solid stream nozzle, hollow cone nozzle, full cone nozzle, screw nozzle, air amplifier nozzle, air edge nozzle, co-annular nozzle or an air jet nozzle.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the vortex tube comprises an inner air passageway and an outer air passageway.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5, wherein the inner air passageway and the outer air passageway are fluidically coupled.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5, wherein the inner air passageway is configured to:
receive the air inlet stream;
direct the air inlet stream within the inner air passageway to a conical nozzle configured to separate the air inlet stream into a warmer air stream and a cooler air stream,
wherein the conical nozzle directs the warmer air stream around the conical nozzle into the outer air passageway towards the nozzle, and directs the cooler air stream through the inner air passageway towards the nozzle, wherein the warmer air stream and the cooler air stream are blended by selectively adjusting the nozzle.