Air separation module using a fast start valve for fast warm up of a permeable membrane air separation module
AssigneeLitton Systems, Inc.
InventorsVictor P. Crome, Alan J. Yoder
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates generally to on board inert gas generating systems, and more particularly, to an on board inert gas generating system having a fast warm up feature. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for quickly warming up a permeable membrane air separation system.
Claims23
A method of quickly warming up an air separation module, comprising the following steps:
- flowing warm air through an air separation module to separate nitrogen gas therefrom;
- first directing a portion of the separated nitrogen gas to a ullage space of a fuel tank;
- and
- second directing a portion of the separated nitrogen gas back into the air separation module.
A method of quickly warming up an air separation module, comprising:
- directing air from a source of warm air into an entry point of an air separation module;
- exhausting the warm air from an exit port of the air separator module;
- flowing warm air through an air separation module to separate nitrogen gas therefrom;
- first directing a portion of the separated nitrogen gas to a ullage space of a fuel tank;
- and
- second directing a portion of the separated nitrogen gas back into the air separation module.
A method of quickly warming up an air separation module, comprising the following steps:
- flowing warm air through an air separation module to separate nitrogen gas therefrom;
- first directing a portion of the separated nitrogen gas to a ullage space of a fuel tank;
- second directing a portion of the separated nitrogen gas back into the air separation module;
- directing air from a source of warm air into an entry point of the air separation module;
- and exhausting the warm air from an exit port of the air separation module.
An air separation module assembly having fast warm up capability and connected to a source of warm air, comprising:
- an air separation module having an inlet, an outlet, an exit port and an entry point, said inlet connected to the source of warm air and for providing an inert gas to a fuel tank;
- and
- a valve is connected to said entry point, said valve connected to at least one of said exit port and the source of warm air.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.