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US 7,608,131 B2Granted
Three flow architecture and method for aircraft OBIGGS
AssigneeParker-Hannifin Corporation
InventorBryan D. Jensen
Life of this patent
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AssigneeParker-Hannifin Corporation
InventorBryan D. Jensen
Estimating the term…
An air separation system and method wherein the outlet of a primary air separation module (one or more modules or bundles of fiber membranes) is split into two flow paths, a low flow path and a high flow path. The outlet of a secondary air separation module (one or more modules or bundles of fiber membranes) is split into two flow paths, a mid flow path and a high flow path, the latter being joined with the high flow of the primary air separation module. Flow along the primary low flow passes through a low-flow orifice, flow along the secondary mid-flow path passes through a mid-flow orifice, and flow along the high flow paths of both the primary and secondary air separation modules is joined together for passage through a shutoff valve and a high flow orifice. This configuration allows for three different flow modes of operation.
An inerting system, comprising:
An inerting method comprising the steps of operating a first air separation module in a low flow mode for delivery of inert gas-enriched air to a space to be inerted at a first flow rate, operating both the first and one or more second air separation modules in a mid flow mode for delivery of inert gas-enriched air to the space to be inerted at a second flow rate higher than the first flow rate, and operating both the first and second air separation modules in a high flow mode for delivery of inert gas-enriched air to the space to be inerted at a third flow rate higher than the second flow rate.
An inerting system, comprising:
A flow control apparatus for an inerting system including a main inlet for connection to an upstream source of pressurized air, a main outlet for connection to a space to be inerted, a first air separation module for producing inert gas-enriched air from pressurized air supplied thereto from the main inlet, and at least one second air separation module for producing inert gas-enriched air from pressurized air supplied thereto from the main inlet, said apparatus comprising flow control components for effecting operation of the first air separation module in a low flow mode for delivery of inert gas-enriched air to the main outlet at a first flow rate, for effecting operation of both the first and second air separation modules in a mid flow mode for delivery of inert gas-enriched air to the main outlet at a second flow rate higher than the first flow rate, and for effecting operation of both the first and second air separation modules in a high flow mode for delivery of inert gas-enriched air to the main outlet at a third flow rate higher than the second flow rate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.