Hypoxic aircraft fire prevention system with advanced hypoxic generator

A method for providing fire prevention for a fuel tank on an aircraft by using cabin air for producing oxygen-depleted (hypoxic) air from said cabin air, said method comprising:

• employing a first pressure difference, by an air-separation device having an inlet and first and second outlets, between said inlet and said first outlet,
• employing a second pressure difference by the air-separation device between said inlet and said second outlet;
• receiving said cabin air by said inlet;
• separating said cabin air, by using said first pressure difference and said second pressure difference as a driving force, without preliminary compression, into oxygen-enriched and oxygen-depleted gas mixtures;
• said inlet communicating with an interior atmosphere of the aircraft, said first outlet communicating with one of a fuel tank or a cargo compartment, and said second outlet communicating with the atmosphere outside of the said aircraft;
• transmitting by said first outlet an oxygen-reduced gas mixture;
• and
• transmitting by said second outlet an oxygen-enriched gas mixture;
• said oxygen-enriched gas mixture being normally vented outside the aircraft;
• said oxygen-reduced gas mixture, when in use, being supplied into said fuel tank or cargo compartment for maintaining there a hypoxic environment in order to prevent fuel ignition or explosion;
• wherein the oxygen content in said oxygen-reduced gas mixture is maintained in the range from 9% to 15% and, preferably, below 12% and above 10%.

An apparatus for producing hypoxic air, said apparatus comprising:

• an air-separation device having an inlet and first and second outlets;
• said air-separation device employing a first pressure difference between said inlet and said first outlet, and a second pressure difference between said inlet and said second outlet;
• said first pressure difference and said second pressure difference providing a driving force for separating said cabin air into oxygen-enriched and oxygen-depleted gas mixtures without preliminary compression;
• said inlet communicating with an interior atmosphere of the aircraft, said first outlet communicating with one of a fuel tank or a cargo compartment, and said second outlet communicating with the atmosphere outside of the said aircraft;
• said inlet receiving said cabin air and said first outlet transmitting an oxygen-reduced gas mixture and said second outlet transmitting an oxygen-enriched gas mixture;
• said oxygen-enriched gas mixture being normally vented outside the aircraft;
• and
• said oxygen-reduced gas mixture, when in use, being constantly supplied into said fuel tank or cargo compartment for maintaining therein a hypoxic environment in order to prevent fuel ignition or explosion;
• wherein an oxygen content in said oxygen-reduced gas mixture is maintained in a range from 9% to 15% and, preferably, below 12% and above 10%.

An apparatus for producing hypoxic air, said apparatus comprising:

• an oxygen-consuming device having an inlet and first and second outlets;
• said oxygen-consuming device employing a first pressure difference between said inlet and said first outlet, and a second pressure difference between said inlet and said second outlet;
• said first pressure difference and said second pressure difference providing a driving force for moving said cabin air through said oxygen-consuming device and converting said cabin air into oxygen-depleted gas mixture without preliminary compression;
• said inlet communicating with an interior atmosphere of the aircraft, said first outlet communicating with one of a fuel tank or a cargo compartment, and said second outlet communicating with the atmosphere outside of the said aircraft;
• said inlet receiving said cabin air and said first outlet transmitting an oxygen-reduced gas mixture and said second outlet transmitting byproducts of the oxygen consummation;
• said byproducts being normally vented outside the aircraft;
• and
• said oxygen-reduced gas mixture, when in use, being constantly supplied into said fuel tank or cargo compartment for maintaining therein a hypoxic environment in order to prevent fuel ignition or explosion;
• wherein an oxygen content in said oxygen-reduced gas mixture is maintained in a range from 9% to 18% and, preferably, below 12% and above 10%.