Air Separation Module with a Tubesheet Support Member

A method comprising:

• providing a bundle of a plurality of hollow fibers coupled to an inlet tubesheet for an air separation module, wherein the bundle is configured to receive inlet air and separate the inlet air into an oxygen-rich portion and a nitrogen-rich portion, and wherein the inlet tubesheet is configured to block respective spaces between the plurality of hollow fibers of the bundle;
• mounting a support member around the bundle downstream of the inlet tubesheet;
• abutting the support member against the inlet tubesheet;
• mounting an inlet cap around the inlet tubesheet and the support member;
• coupling the support member to the inlet cap;
• and
• coupling a housing to the inlet cap.

An inerting system comprising:

• an ozone converter configured to receive air bled from an engine of an aircraft and reduce ozone concentration in the air;
• a heat exchanger disposed downstream of the ozone converter and configured to cool the air discharged from the ozone converter;
• a filter disposed downstream of the heat exchanger and configured to remove particulates and aerosols from the air;
• and
• an air separation module disposed downstream from the filter, wherein the air separation module comprises:
• a housing,
• a bundle of a plurality of hollow fibers disposed within the housing, wherein the bundle is configured to receive the air discharged from the filter and separate the air into an oxygen-rich portion and a nitrogen-rich portion,
• an inlet tubesheet coupled to a proximal end of the bundle and configured to block respective spaces between the plurality of hollow fibers of the bundle, thereby forcing the air to flow through the plurality of hollow fibers, wherein a first side of the inlet tubesheet is configured to be subjected to the air before flowing through the bundle, while a second side of the inlet tubesheet is configured to be subjected to the oxygen-rich portion having a lower pressure compared to the air received from the filter such that the inlet tubesheet is subjected to a pressure load, and
• a support member disposed downstream of the inlet tubesheet and abutting against the inlet tubesheet to support the inlet tubesheet against the pressure load.