Air heating and routing system and testing arrangement using same

A testing method (200) comprising:

• (202) receiving a flow of air (14) via a plumbing (20) of an air heating and routing system (AHRS) (12);
• (204) detecting, via a pressure transducer (22) in operative communication with an electronic controller (24), pressure of the conveyed air;
• (206) regulating, via a three-stage pressure adjusting subsystem (16) in operative communication with the electronic controller, pressure of the conveyed air using the pressure detected by the pressure transducer;
• (208) regulating, via an air heater (18) in operative communication with the electronic controller, temperature of the conveyed air;
• and
• (210) outputting, via the AHRS plumbing, the pressure and temperature regulated air.

A testing arrangement comprising:

• an air heating and routing system (AHRS) (12) configured to convey a flow of air (14), including:
• a three-stage pressure adjusting subsystem (16) configured to regulate pressure of the conveyed air;
• an air heater (18) configured to regulate temperature of the conveyed air;
• and
• AHRS plumbing (20) configured to fluidly connect the air heater and the three-stage pressure adjusting subsystem and convey the flow of air;
• a pressure transducer (22) configured to detect pressure of the conveyed air;
• an electronic controller (24) in operative communication with the air heater, the three-stage pressure adjusting subsystem, and the pressure transducer, and configured to regulate the three-stage pressure adjusting subsystem, using the pressure of the conveyed air detected by the pressure transducer, and the air heater to output the conveyed air via the AHRS plumbing;
• a test stand (100) in operative communication with the AHRS and configured to position thereon an air cycling machine (ACM) (102) having a compressor (100-102) and a turbine (100-102, the test stand including:
• a support structure (104);
• and
• a duct assembly (108) moveably mounted to the support structure and configured to receive the conveyed air from an outlet of the AHRS (20F) defined by the AHRS plumbing, supply the conveyed air to an inlet (102-1A) of the compressor of the ACM, and exhaust air from an outlet of the turbine (102-2B) of the ACM to atmosphere;
• and
• at least one sensor (152) configured to detect temperature of the conveyed air within the duct assembly and communicate the detected temperature to the electronic controller;
• wherein the pressure transducer is arranged on the test stand and configured to detect pressure of the air at the inlet (102-1A) to the compressor of the ACM.