US20170327234A1 - Aircraft humidifier - Google Patents
Aircraft humidifier Download PDFInfo
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- US20170327234A1 US20170327234A1 US15/663,303 US201715663303A US2017327234A1 US 20170327234 A1 US20170327234 A1 US 20170327234A1 US 201715663303 A US201715663303 A US 201715663303A US 2017327234 A1 US2017327234 A1 US 2017327234A1
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- Prior art keywords
- aircraft
- air
- humidifier
- duct
- water
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- 239000003570 air Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 85
- 239000012080 ambient air Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 104
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000001704 evaporation Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000001223 reverse osmosis Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000002242 deionisation method Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000008020 evaporation Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000007710 freezing Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000008014 freezing Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 238000009736 wetting Methods 0.000 abstract description 4
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 9
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 6
- 230000001276 controlling effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 3
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 2
- 241000894006 Bacteria Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000233866 Fungi Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000002528 anti-freeze Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000889 atomisation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000012206 bottled water Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000018044 dehydration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006297 dehydration reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000645 desinfectant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003651 drinking water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000036541 health Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007407 health benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003032 molecular docking Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008439 repair process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000029058 respiratory gaseous exchange Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013022 venting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010792 warming Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D13/00—Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space, or structural parts of the aircraft
- B64D13/06—Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space, or structural parts of the aircraft the air being conditioned
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D11/00—Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
- B64D11/0007—Devices specially adapted for food or beverage distribution services
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D13/00—Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space, or structural parts of the aircraft
- B64D13/06—Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space, or structural parts of the aircraft the air being conditioned
- B64D2013/0603—Environmental Control Systems
- B64D2013/0625—Environmental Control Systems comprising means for distribution effusion of conditioned air in the cabin
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D13/00—Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space, or structural parts of the aircraft
- B64D13/06—Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space, or structural parts of the aircraft the air being conditioned
- B64D2013/0603—Environmental Control Systems
- B64D2013/064—Environmental Control Systems comprising more than one system, e.g. dual systems
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D13/00—Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space, or structural parts of the aircraft
- B64D13/06—Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space, or structural parts of the aircraft the air being conditioned
- B64D2013/0603—Environmental Control Systems
- B64D2013/0651—Environmental Control Systems comprising filters, e.g. dust filters
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D13/00—Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space, or structural parts of the aircraft
- B64D13/06—Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space, or structural parts of the aircraft the air being conditioned
- B64D2013/0603—Environmental Control Systems
- B64D2013/0662—Environmental Control Systems with humidity control
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D13/00—Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space, or structural parts of the aircraft
- B64D13/06—Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space, or structural parts of the aircraft the air being conditioned
- B64D2013/0603—Environmental Control Systems
- B64D2013/0666—Environmental Control Systems with means for preventing icing within the ECS components
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D13/00—Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space, or structural parts of the aircraft
- B64D13/06—Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space, or structural parts of the aircraft the air being conditioned
- B64D2013/0603—Environmental Control Systems
- B64D2013/0674—Environmental Control Systems comprising liquid subsystems
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D13/00—Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space, or structural parts of the aircraft
- B64D13/06—Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space, or structural parts of the aircraft the air being conditioned
- B64D2013/0603—Environmental Control Systems
- B64D2013/0688—Environmental Control Systems with means for recirculating cabin air
Definitions
- the atomized water droplets are communicated by the nozzle 329 to a duct 315 (duct, turbulator duct, evaporator duct, exhaust duct, and mixing duct may be used interchangeably).
- the duct 315 in one embodiment, is engineered to incorporate corrugated internal surfaces to agitate the evaporation of atomized water droplets.
- the duct 315 is engineered to facilitate a spiral curvilinear passage.
- the spiral curvilinear passage is suitably an expanding spiral.
- the spiral curvilinear passage is suitably a constant area spiral.
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Pulmonology (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
- Air Humidification (AREA)
Abstract
An aircraft humidifier is engineered as a stand-alone, fully integrated aircraft humidifier that is suitable for providing uniform, non-wetting humidified air disbursed by the aircraft humidifier into ambient air to increase the relative humidity in low humidity environments such as aircraft interiors, including cockpits, cabins, crew rests, cargo holds, and lavatories as well as any other enclosed areas.
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/033,376, filed Sep. 20, 2013, which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/703,690, filed Sep. 20, 2012, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- The present subject matter generally relates to aircraft environmental control systems, and more particularly, it relates to humidity control.
- The environmental control system of an aircraft provides air supply, thermal control, and cabin pressurization for the crew and passengers. The atmosphere at typical jetliner cruising altitudes is generally very dry and cold, and outside air is pumped into the cabin on a long flight. Consequently, when humid air at lower altitudes is encountered and drawn in, the environmental control system dries it through the warming and cooling cycle, so that even with high external relative humidity, inside the cabin it will usually be not much higher than 10% relative humidity. Although low cabin humidity has health benefits such as preventing the growth of fungi and bacteria, the low humidity causes a drying of the skin, eyes, and mucosal membranes and contributes to dehydration, which leads to fatigue, discomfort, and health issues.
- This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
- One aspect of the present subject matter includes a device form which recites an aircraft humidifier comprising a water filtration system that is suitable to produce filtered water without freezing, the water filtration system operating by static water pressure from an aircraft and including stages selected from a group consisting essentially of reverse osmosis and deionization. The aircraft humidifier further comprises a duct that is capable of receiving atomized water droplets formed from the filtered water and compressed air to communicate the atomized water droplets to ambient air. The duct includes a mouth, throat, neck, and a mix joint to receive the atomized water droplets, which together communicate the atomized water droplets to a chute, C-joint, and canal, which together in turn communicate the atomized water droplets to the ambient air through a posterior air outlet while evaporating remaining atomized water droplets inside the duct.
- Another aspect of the present subject matter includes a method form which recites a method for humidifying an aircraft cabin. The method comprises filtering water without freezing by operating static water pressure from an aircraft and producing filtered water by causing the water to enter stages of reverse osmosis, deionization, and final filtering. The method further comprises communicating atomized water droplets into ambient air through a duct that is capable of receiving atomized water droplets formed from the filtered water and compressed air while evaporating remaining atomized water droplets inside the duct.
- The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a pictorial diagram illustrating an environment in which an archetypical aircraft humidifier operates in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter; -
FIG. 2 is an isometric, perspective view illustrating an archetypical lidded aircraft humidifier in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter; -
FIG. 3 is an isometric, perspective view of an archetypical unlidded aircraft humidifier assemblage in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter; -
FIG. 4 is another isometric, perspective view of an archetypical aircraft humidifier assemblage in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter; -
FIG. 5 is a further isometric, perspective view of an archetypical aircraft humidifier assemblage in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter; -
FIG. 6 is a top plan view illustrating an archetypical aircraft humidifier assemblage in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter; -
FIG. 7 is an additional isometric, perspective view of an archetypical aircraft humidifier assemblage in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter; -
FIG. 8 is an isometric, front perspective view illustrating an archetypical duct in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter; -
FIG. 9 is an isometric, back perspective view illustrating an archetypical duct in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter; -
FIG. 10 is a top plan view illustrating an archetypical duct in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter; -
FIG. 11 is a front view of an archetypical duct in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter; -
FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of an archetypical duct in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter; -
FIG. 13 is a back view of an archetypical duct in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter; -
FIG. 14 is a pictorial diagram illustrating an archetypical method for controlling an aircraft humidifier in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter; -
FIG. 15a is an isometric, perspective view of an archetypical assembledduct 1500 in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter; -
FIG. 15b is an isometric, exploded, perspective view of an archetypicalunassembled duct 1500 in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter; and -
FIG. 15c is a plan view of anarchetypical duct 1500 in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter. - Various embodiments of the present subject matter engineer an aircraft humidifier. Some embodiments engineer a stand-alone, fully integrated aircraft humidifier that is suitable for providing uniform, non-wetting humidified air disbursed by the aircraft humidifier into ambient air to increase the relative humidity in low humidity environments such as aircraft interiors, including cockpits, cabins, crew rests, cargo holds, and lavatories, as well as any other enclosed areas. The term “non-wetting” means the inclusion of a condition in which water is evaporated in air that is above the dew point. In many embodiments, the aircraft humidifier is engineered to include a water source, a supply of water, a water filter, compressed air, a specialized nozzle without moving parts, a duct (including, in some embodiments, a turbulator or an evaporator) to provide for maximum evaporation through the atomization of water, and an internal drainage and collection system to collect and recycle any loose un-evaporated water within the device to provide for a safe, sanitary and microbe-free environment. Depending on the interior aircraft dew point, in a few embodiments, it is engineered so that the produced humidification is not wetting to surfaces external to the aircraft humidifier by evaporating the water and the air, and surface temperatures are caused to be above the dew point of the humid air or vice versa.
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FIG. 1 illustrates anaircraft cabin 100, an environment in which anaircraft humidifier 103 operates. The aircraft humidifier is a device that is capable of improving breathing air quality by increasing relative humidity for the crew and/or the passengers in theaircraft cabin 100 including a locally delimited area and a region surrounding the locally delimited area. Theaircraft cabin 100 is a section of an aircraft in which passengers lounge for traveling. At cruising altitudes of modern aircraft, the surrounding atmosphere is too thin for passengers and crew to breathe without an oxygen mask, so cabins are typically pressurized at a higher pressure than the ambient pressure at various altitudes. - In commercial air travel, particularly in airliners, cabins may be divided into several parts. These can include travel class sections in medium and large aircraft, areas for flight attendants, the galley, and storage for in-flight services. Seats are primarily arranged in rows and alleys. Along these alleys, an aircraft
galley service trolley 102 may be pushed or pulled by flight attendants to facilitate in-flight services to passengers. In various embodiments of the present subject matter, theaircraft humidifier 103 is housed by the aircraftgalley service trolley 102 so as to facilitate humidifying theaircraft cabin 100. In a few embodiments, theaircraft humidifier 103 is suitably connected to an aircraft environmental control system (not shown) instead of being housed by the aircraftgalley service trolley 102. -
FIG. 2 illustrates theaircraft humidifier 103 that is covered. In a few embodiments, theaircraft humidifier 103 is engineered so as to have a capacity to provide healthier air for passengers and crew. Theaircraft humidifier 103 includes alid 211 to protect the internal aircraft humidifier assemblage. Acontrol jack 209 is provided on a side of thelid 211 to allow aremote controller 205 to connect to thecontrol jack 209 so as to facilitate programming or controlling theaircraft humidifier 103 via acontrol wire 207. In a few embodiments, theremote controller 205 interfaces with theaircraft humidifier 103 wirelessly, such as through Wi-Fi broadcasting in theaircraft cabin 100. -
FIGS. 3-7 illustrate the aircraft humidifier assemblage with thelid 211 removed. The aircraft humidifier assemblage includes awater filter system 322. Thewater filter system 322 is coupled to a water source (not shown) to produce filtered water. In one embodiment, the water source is provided by a potable water supply on the aircraft; yet in another embodiment, the water source is a reservoir within theaircraft humidifier 103. In one embodiment, thewater filter system 322 is suitably a three-stage system that includes a reverse osmosis stage, a deionized stage, and a final filtration stage. In two or three embodiments, the three-stage system uses aircraft static water pressure to operate, but nothing else. In some embodiments, the holding tank is suitably not used. In a few embodiments, thewater filter system 322 is engineered to facilitate antifreeze. A water feed line (not shown) communicates the filtered water to avalve 331. Thevalve 331 is suitable for regulating the communication of filtered water to anozzle 329. - The aircraft humidifier assemblage includes a
pressurized air tank 313, which stores pressurized air. The aircraft humidifier assemblage includes acompressor 323 which is coupled to thepressurized air tank 313 to communicate pressurized air to be stored by thepressurized air tank 313. A pressurized air feed line (not shown) communicates pressurized air to thenozzle 329. In one embodiment, thecompressor 323 is not used and instead thepressurized air tank 313 receives bled air from the aircraft. In another embodiment, thecompressor 323 is not used and instead thepressurized air tank 313 receives compressed air from the aircraft. In a third embodiment, thecompressor 323 is used to provide compressed air directly to the pressurized air feed line feeding thenozzle 329. - The
nozzle 329 is engineered for projecting venting, without moving parts, the filtered water communicated by the water feed line and the pressurized air communicated by the pressurized air feed line, in one embodiment, to produce atomized water droplets. In a second embodiment, thenozzle 329 is engineered to speed up, without moving parts, the filtered water communicated by the water feed line and the pressurized air communicated by the pressurized air feed line, to produce atomized water droplets. In a third embodiment, thenozzle 329 is engineered to accelerate the filtered water communicated by the water feed line and the pressurized air communicated by the pressurized air feed line, to produce atomized water droplets. - The atomized water droplets (or exhausted humidified air) are communicated by the
nozzle 329 to a duct 315 (duct, turbulator duct, evaporator duct, exhaust duct, and mixing duct may be used interchangeably). Theduct 315, in one embodiment, is engineered to incorporate corrugated internal surfaces to agitate the evaporation of atomized water droplets. In a second embodiment, theduct 315 is engineered to facilitate a spiral curvilinear passage. In a third embodiment, the spiral curvilinear passage is suitably an expanding spiral. In a fourth embodiment, the spiral curvilinear passage is suitably a constant area spiral. In a fifth embodiment, theduct 315 is engineered to have variable side walls to minimize or maximize the rate of outflow. In almost all embodiments, theduct 315 is engineered to cause a further mixing of the air/water mixture in the form of atomized water droplets to ensure full evaporation. - A
sump 317 is capable of collecting moisture leaking from theduct 315. Any leaked moisture is detected and communicated by asump moisture sensor 319. Actual moisture in thesump 317 is communicated on a sump water recycleline 321 back to thewater filter system 322. An air inlet port 327 b is provided by the aircraft humidifier assemblage to allow air to enter into thecompressor 323. Theduct 315 is coupled to anair outlet port 325 as well as to an air inlet port 327 a. Theair outlet port 325 communicates the atomized water droplets to a locally delimited area of theaircraft cabin 100 and so as to feed humidified air into the locally delimited area of theaircraft cabin 100 during normal operation of the aircraft. In one embodiment, the atomized water droplets are communicated by theaircraft humidifier 103 to ambient air without the use of theair outlet port 325. In another embodiment, the atomized water droplets are communicated to the environmental control system of the aircraft, which in turn communicates the atomized water droplets to ambient air. -
FIG. 7 illustrates the electronics portions of the aircraft humidifier assemblage in greater detail. The aircraft humidifier assemblage includes a DC-DC converter 723, anAC power isolator 725, adiode module 727, a series ofrelays 729, sensors (not shown), and solenoids (not shown). The DC-DC converter 723 converts DC voltage of the aircraft to a DC voltage that powers theremote controller 205. Thediode module 727 is a rectifier portion of a DC circuit (a combination of the aircraft's DC voltage source, the DC-DC converter 723, and the diode module 727), which acts to isolate the remote controller from the aircraft electrically. TheAC power isolator 725 acts to isolate the alternating current source of the aircraft from those portions of the aircraft humidifier assemblage (e.g., thewater filter system 322 and the compressor 323). -
FIGS. 8-13 illustrate theduct 315 in greater detail. Theduct 315 includes amouth 831 that has the capacity to receive the atomized water droplets from thenozzle 329. The mouth forms a circular orifice that is larger than the diameter of athroat 833. The atomized water droplets are communicated from themouth 831 to thethroat 833, and then the atomized water droplets traverse through aneck 835. Theneck 835 is conical with its apex terminated at an angle. Theneck 835 communicates the atomized water droplets to amix joint 837. Coupled to the mix joint 837 is achute 839 through which the atomized water droplets are further communicated. Thechute 839 is suitable for communicating the atomized water droplets longitudinally along its length to a C-joint 841. The C-joint 841 communicates the atomized water droplets to acanal 843. Coupled to thecanal 843 is thesump 317 located at the bottom of thecanal 843. Thecanal 843 then communicates the atomized water droplets along its length, which is parallel to thechute 839 to a posterior joint 845 where the atomized water droplets exit through theposterior outlet 847. Suitably, theposterior outlet 847 is an annular opening. The mix joint 837 is also coupled to anair cavity 851 which at its terminal is ananterior air inlet 849. Suitably, theair cavity 851 is located perpendicularly to thechute 839 when fastened to themix joint 837. Inside theair cavity 851, afan 1153 is housed. - In one embodiment, the
aircraft humidifier 103 is engineered to have a metallic or a composite liner which is water resistant and non-permeable to prevent leakage or contamination. In another embodiment, theaircraft humidifier 103 is engineered to include internal mechanisms to evaporate free water within the device. In a further embodiment, theaircraft humidifier 103 is engineered to recycle any free water within the device for deployment as humidification. In an additional embodiment, theaircraft humidifier 103 is engineered to facilitate access to internal components for maintenance, repair, and cleaning. In a concrete embodiment, theaircraft humidifier 103 is engineered to incorporate analog and/or digital controls for monitoring, switching, transmitting, metering, measuring, sensing, lighting, cleaning, and connecting to existing environmental control systems. In a specific embodiment, theaircraft humidifier 103 is engineered to be incorporated in a customized container which is the size of a typical aircraft galley service trolley and which then may be incorporated into the galley trolley insert locations with typical locking and docking mechanisms. In a latest embodiment, theaircraft humidifier 103 is engineered to include wheels or other mechanisms for mobility. In a latter embodiment, theaircraft humidifier 103 is engineered to be incorporated into the overhead storage bin of the aircraft's passenger cabin. In a latter embodiment, theaircraft humidifier 103 is engineered to be incorporated above or below the aircraft's passenger cabin. In an as yet further embodiment, theaircraft humidifier 103 is engineered to disperse disinfectants or other water soluble compounds into ambient air. -
FIG. 14 illustrates anarchetypical method 1500 for controlling an aircraft humidifier. Acontroller 1520 communicates with arelay 1510 to open or close avalve 1506 so as to allow water from anaircraft 1502 which has been filtered by a filter 1504 (which is capable of reverse osmosis, deionization, and so on) to thevalve 1506 so as to enter anozzle 1532. Avoltage source 1516, which in one embodiment is alternating current rated at 115 volt, 400 hertz, 3-phase from the aircraft, is coupled to anAC power isolator 1518. The power coming out from theAC power isolator 1518 is communicated to arelay 1508 to control thefilter 1504 and arelay 1528 to control anair compressor 1540. A directcurrent power source 1526 of approximately 18-32 volts is communicated to adiode module 1536. Thediode module 1536 acts to rectify the power coming from theDC voltage source 1526 and communicates the power to a DC-DC converter 1530. The converted power is presented to thecontroller 1520 to power it.Air source 1538 is provided by the aircraft and is provided to both theair compressor 1540 as well as to afan 1544. Theair compressor 1540 compresses the air from theair source 1538 and presents the compressed air to thenozzle 1532. The resultant air product (in the form of atomized water droplets) coming from thenozzle 1532 is presented to a turbulator orexhaust duct 1534. Thefan 1544 also conducts air through aduct 1542 and also to the turbulator orexhaust duct 1534. The air moves through amoisture sensor 1524, which communicates its findings back to thecontroller 1520 and permits the air to enter the cabin andflight deck air 1514. Themethod 1500 supplies humidified air into theaircraft cabin 100, including a locally delimited area and a region surrounding the locally delimited area. Themethod 1500 humidifies the air with a water source. Themethod 1500 then feeds the humidified air at the first partial pressure through a feed line into the locally delimited area during normal operation of the aircraft. The first partial pressure is higher than a second oxygen partial pressure in the region surrounding the locally delimited area. - While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (20)
1. An aircraft humidifier comprising:
a water filtration system that is suitable to produce filtered water without freezing, the water filtration system operating by static water pressure from an aircraft and including stages selected from a group consisting essentially of reverse osmosis and deionization;
a filtering relay coupled to the water filtration system; and
a duct that is capable of receiving atomized water droplets formed from the filtered water and compressed air to communicate the atomized water droplets to ambient air, the duct including a mouth, throat, neck, and a mix joint to receive the atomized water droplets, which together communicate the atomized water droplets to a chute, C-joint, and canal, which together in turn communicate the atomized water droplets to the ambient air through a posterior air outlet while evaporating remaining atomized water droplets inside the duct.
2. The aircraft humidifier of claim 1 , wherein the duct further includes an air cavity and an anterior air inlet, which communicates air through the air cavity into the mix joint, the air cavity including a fan.
3. The aircraft humidifier of claim 2 , further comprising a compressor which compresses air to produce the compressed air.
4. The aircraft humidifier of claim 2 , further comprising a compressing relay which is coupled to the compressor which compresses air to produce the compressed air.
5. The aircraft humidifier of claim 4 , further comprising a pressurized air tank for storing the compressed air produced by the compressor.
6. The aircraft humidifier of claim 5 , further comprising a valve which has a capacity to receive the filtered water and communicate the filtered water.
7. The aircraft humidifier of claim 6 , further comprising a valve relay which is coupled to the valve.
8. The aircraft humidifier of claim 7 , further comprising a nozzle which is suitable for receiving the filtered water from the valve and the compressed air from the compressor, the nozzle communicating the atomized water droplets to the duct.
9. The aircraft humidifier of claim 8 , further comprising a sump coupled to the duct, which is capable of collecting moisture leaking from the duct.
10. The aircraft humidifier of claim 9 , further comprising a sump moisture sensor coupled to the sump, which has a capacity to detect moisture and communicate such a detection.
11. The aircraft humidifier of claim 10 , further comprising a water recycle line coupled to the sump, which is suitable for communicating moisture from the sump back to the water filter system.
12. An aircraft humidifier comprising:
a water filtration system that is suitable to produce filtered water without freezing, the water filtration system operating by static water pressure from an aircraft and including stages selected from a group consisting essentially of reverse osmosis and deionization; and
a duct that is capable of receiving atomized water droplets formed from the filtered water and compressed air to communicate the atomized water droplets to ambient air, the duct including a spiral curvilinear passage in its internal surfaces, a portion of which is corrugated to agitate the evaporation of atomized water droplets, the spiral curvilinear passage winding around a center and gradually receding from or approaching the center.
13. The aircraft humidifier of claim 12 , wherein the duct further includes an air cavity which includes a fan.
14. The aircraft humidifier of claim 13 , further comprising a compressor which compresses air to produce the compressed air.
15. The aircraft humidifier of claim 14 , further comprising a compressing relay which is coupled to the compressor which compresses air to produce the compressed air.
16. The aircraft humidifier of claim 15 , further comprising a pressurized air tank for storing the compressed air produced by the compressor.
17. The aircraft humidifier of claim 16 , further comprising a valve which has a capacity to receive the filtered water and communicate the filtered water.
18. The aircraft humidifier of claim 17 , further comprising a valve relay which is coupled to the valve.
19. The aircraft humidifier of claim 18 , further comprising a nozzle which is suitable for receiving the filtered water from the valve and the compressed air from the compressor, the nozzle communicating the atomized water droplets to the duct.
20. The aircraft humidifier of claim 19 , further comprising an AC power isolator coupled to the filtering relay and the compressing relay.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15/663,303 US20170327234A1 (en) | 2012-09-20 | 2017-07-28 | Aircraft humidifier |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US201261703690P | 2012-09-20 | 2012-09-20 | |
US14/033,376 US9815557B2 (en) | 2012-09-20 | 2013-09-20 | Aircraft humidifier |
US15/663,303 US20170327234A1 (en) | 2012-09-20 | 2017-07-28 | Aircraft humidifier |
Related Parent Applications (1)
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US14/033,376 Continuation US9815557B2 (en) | 2012-09-20 | 2013-09-20 | Aircraft humidifier |
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US20170327234A1 true US20170327234A1 (en) | 2017-11-16 |
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US15/663,303 Abandoned US20170327234A1 (en) | 2012-09-20 | 2017-07-28 | Aircraft humidifier |
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US14/033,376 Active 2035-06-05 US9815557B2 (en) | 2012-09-20 | 2013-09-20 | Aircraft humidifier |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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US9815557B2 (en) | 2017-11-14 |
US20140077396A1 (en) | 2014-03-20 |
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