Drop down overhead galley stowage system

A method of installing an aircraft overhead stowage system for a cross-aisle galley complex, the method comprising:

• installing a plurality of bin support rail fittings onto a plurality of bin support rails disposed above a ceiling of a cross-aisle galley complex;
• positioning a stowage compartment housing supported by a stowage support structure above the ceiling of the galley complex, the stowage compartment housing including a first stowage compartment and a second stowage compartment each movably engaged with and disposed inside the stowage compartment housing, each stowage compartment movable between a stowed position and a deployed position relative to the stowage compartment housing;
• aligning the stowage compartment housing and the stowage support structure with the bin support rails;
• fastening the stowage support structure to the bin support rails using the bin support rail fittings such that the stowage compartment housing is structurally supported above the ceiling of the galley complex;
• installing a control panel in a selected location accessible to a cabin crew member and electrically connecting the control panel to a vacuum system mounted on the stowage compartment housing, wherein the control panel is configured to activate the vacuum system to move one of the first stowage compartment and the second stowage compartment between the stowed position and the deployed position;
• and
• installing a galley ceiling system on the ceiling of the galley complex.

An aircraft overhead stowage system for a cross-aisle galley complex, the system comprising:

• a stowage compartment housing disposed above a ceiling of a cross-aisle galley complex, the stowage compartment housing being supported above the ceiling by a stowage support structure;
• a first stowage compartment and a second stowage compartment each movably engaged with and disposed inside the stowage compartment housing, each stowage compartment movable between a stowed position and a deployed position relative to the stowage compartment housing;
• a vacuum system including:
• a vacuum generator that creates a vacuum force, the vacuum generator mounted on the stowage compartment housing;
• a plurality of vacuum bellows connected to each stowage compartment and in fluid communication with the vacuum generator, wherein each of the vacuum bellows contracts in response to a negative pressure caused by the vacuum force, and wherein each of the vacuum bellows expands in response to a venting of the negative pressure caused by the vacuum force;
• and
• a plurality of bypass valves in fluid communication with the vacuum generator and with each of the vacuum bellows;
• a control panel in electrical communication with the vacuum generator, wherein the control panel is configured to activate the vacuum system to move one of the first stowage compartment and the second stowage compartment between the stowed position and the deployed position, wherein the control panel is electrically connected to each bypass valve, and wherein each bypass valve is selectively configured to prevent the vacuum force from contacting the vacuum bellows in response to an electrical signal transmitted by the control panel;
• and
• a galley ceiling system including a ceiling systems panel positioned on the ceiling of the galley complex between the first stowage compartment and the second stowage compartment.