Humidity control devices and aircraft air handling systems

Abstract

This application discloses a humidity control device and an aircraft air handling system, belonging to the technical field of fluid handling systems. The humidity control device includes a first chamber, a gas-liquid separation element, a second chamber, and a humidity control element. The first chamber has an air inlet and an air outlet for fluid passage; the gas-liquid separation element is disposed in the first chamber, near the air inlet, and is used to separate the gas and liquid components of the fluid entering the first chamber; the second chamber communicates with the first chamber and is used to collect the solid-liquid mixture separated by the gas-liquid separation element; the humidity control element is disposed near the air outlet, with a portion located in the first chamber and another portion extending into the second chamber, and is capable of regulating the humidity of the fluid in the first chamber. The humidity control device of this application can not only separate solid-liquid mixtures in a fluid but also regulate the humidity of the fluid.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of fluid handling systems technology, and more particularly to a humidity control device and an aircraft air handling system. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of transportation, especially in civil aircraft, providing a safe and comfortable cabin environment for passengers and crew is of paramount importance. The cabin environmental control system is responsible for regulating the temperature and humidity of the cabin air, and its performance directly impacts passenger experience and equipment safety. However, in hot and humid climates, particularly in summer, when vehicles (such as aircraft) are stationary and exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods, the cabin accumulates a large amount of heat due to the greenhouse effect, causing the internal air temperature to rise above 50°C, creating a significant heat load. To quickly reduce cabin temperature, the environmental control system is often set to a low target temperature, resulting in excessively low air temperatures at the outlet of air handling units (such as cooling components), frequently approaching 0°C. This operation easily leads to condensation of moisture in the air, forming an ice-water mixture at low temperatures.

[0003] Furthermore, during the boarding and preparation phase before flight operations, the cabin doors are open for extended periods, allowing a large influx of hot and humid outside air into the cabin. This not only further increases the cabin's heat load but also significantly raises the absolute humidity of the internal air. When this warm, humid recirculated air mixes with the cool air from the cooling system in the mixing chamber, the significant temperature difference easily leads to the precipitation of large amounts of condensate, forming liquid water. This liquid water is carried by the high-speed airflow into the air distribution ducts and is eventually delivered to the air vents in various areas of the cabin. Some of the liquid water may spray out directly, while some adheres to the area around the air vents. In addition, the cabin air humidity is already high, and when it encounters the cold air exhausted from the air vents or the cool interior surfaces, further condensation occurs, causing liquid water to accumulate on interior surfaces or near the air vents, affecting aesthetics and hygiene, and potentially even causing short circuits in electronic devices or passenger discomfort.

[0004] In related technologies, drain outlets are installed on the mixing chamber or air supply duct of an air handling system in an attempt to discharge the condensate generated within the system. However, due to limitations in aerodynamic performance and structural strength requirements, drain outlets are typically small in size, and their opening direction is often perpendicular to or at an angle to the fluid direction. As a result, most of the condensate cannot flow smoothly into the drain outlet and instead continues to move forward with the fluid, leading to low drainage efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a humidity control device and an aircraft air handling system, which can not only separate solid-liquid mixtures in a fluid, but also regulate the humidity of the fluid, thereby at least partially solving the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, according to a first aspect of this application, a humidity regulating device is provided, comprising:

[0007] A first cavity, the first cavity having an air inlet and an air outlet for fluid to pass through;

[0008] A gas-liquid separation element is disposed in a first cavity and near the air inlet. The gas-liquid separation element is used to separate the fluid entering the first cavity into gas and liquid.

[0009] The second cavity, which is connected to the first cavity, is used to collect the solid-liquid mixture separated by the gas-liquid separation element.

[0010] A humidity regulating element is provided, which is located near the air outlet. A portion of the humidity regulating element is located in the first cavity, and another portion extends into the second cavity. The humidity regulating element is capable of regulating the humidity of the fluid in the first cavity.

[0011] In some embodiments, the gas-liquid separation element has a microporous structure that allows gas in the fluid to pass through while preventing liquid and solid in the fluid from passing through.

[0012] In some embodiments, the humidity regulating element has a water absorption channel for absorbing and transferring liquid.

[0013] In some embodiments, when the humidity of the fluid in the first cavity is greater than the humidity of the fluid on the surface of the humidity regulating element, the humidity regulating element absorbs at least one of the liquid and water vapor in the first cavity to dry the fluid in the first cavity.

[0014] When the humidity of the fluid in the first cavity is lower than the humidity of the fluid on the surface of the humidity regulating element, the humidity regulating element absorbs liquid from the second cavity to humidify the fluid in the first cavity.

[0015] In some embodiments, the humidity regulating element is provided with a plurality of first through holes, which are connected to at least one of the air inlet and the air outlet.

[0016] In some embodiments, the humidity regulating device further includes an isolator disposed between the first cavity and the second cavity to prevent the solid-liquid mixture in the second cavity from overflowing into the first cavity.

[0017] In some embodiments, there are multiple isolation members, each of which is provided with a second through hole. The multiple isolation members are stacked and the positions of the second through holes on adjacent isolation members are staggered.

[0018] In some embodiments, the second cavity is disposed below the first cavity so that the solid-liquid mixture separated by the gas-liquid separation element enters the second cavity under the action of gravity.

[0019] In some embodiments, the first cavity and the second cavity are separate structures; or, the first cavity and the second cavity are an integral structure.

[0020] In some embodiments, the air inlet and the air outlet are respectively located at opposite ends of the first cavity.

[0021] According to a second aspect of this application, an air handling system for an aircraft is provided, comprising a refrigeration component, a recirculation system, and a humidity control device as described in any one of the above, wherein the air inlet is connected to the outlet of the refrigeration component and the outlet of the recirculation system, respectively, the fluid output from the refrigeration component and the fluid output from the recirculation system are mixed in a first cavity, and the air outlet is connected to the air supply vent of the aircraft cabin.

[0022] The humidity control device and aircraft air handling system of this application separate the solid-liquid mixture, such as liquid water and ice particles, from the air and water vapor in the fluid using a gas-liquid separation element, and collect the solid-liquid mixture into a second chamber. The gas-liquid separation element can dry the fluid in the first chamber, and the humidity control element regulates the humidity of the fluid in the first chamber, controlling the humidity within a suitable range. The humidity control device of this application can effectively solve the problem of water dripping from the air outlet, while avoiding excessively dry cabin air, significantly improving the environmental comfort of passengers and crew.

[0023] Other features and advantages of this application will be described in detail in the following detailed description section. Attached Figure Description

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0025] To gain a more complete understanding of this application and its beneficial effects, the following description will be provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals in the following description denote the same parts.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a humidity regulating device provided in an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another humidity regulating device provided in an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the humidity regulating element provided in an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the humidity regulating element provided in an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the isolation component provided in an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure.

[0031] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0032] 1. First cavity; 11. Air inlet; 12. Air outlet; 13. First part; 14. Second part; 2. Gas-liquid separation element; 3. Second cavity; 4. Humidity regulating element; 41. First through hole; 5. Isolator; 51. Second through hole; 6. Air inlet pipe; 7. Air outlet pipe; 8. Sensor; 9. Drain valve. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application. In addition, it should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for illustration and explanation of this application and are not intended to limit this application. In this application, unless otherwise stated, directional terms such as "up," "down," "left," and "right" generally refer to up, down, left, and right in the actual use or working state of the device, specifically the drawing directions in the accompanying drawings.

[0034] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "connected," "linked," "stacked," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two elements or the interaction between two elements. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0035] This application provides a humidity control device and an aircraft air handling system, which are described in detail below. It should be noted that the order of description of the following embodiments is not intended to limit the preferred order of the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, the descriptions of each embodiment have their own emphasis; parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment can be referred to in the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0036] According to the first aspect of this application, referring to Figure 1 One embodiment of this application provides a humidity regulating device, including a first cavity 1, a gas-liquid separation element 2, a second cavity 3, and a humidity regulating element 4. In this application, the humidity regulating device is described as being applied to an aircraft's air handling system.

[0037] Specifically, refer to Figure 1 The first cavity 1 has an air inlet 11 and an air outlet 12 for fluid to pass through. The fluid to be treated enters the first cavity 1 through the air inlet 11. The fluid to be treated is, for example, a fluid carrying a solid-liquid mixture. The treated fluid flows out through the air outlet 12. To ensure smooth fluid flow within the first cavity 1, the air inlet 11 and the air outlet 12 are respectively located at opposite ends of the first cavity 1. The air inlet 11 and the air outlet 12 can be coaxially arranged to allow the fluid to flow stably along the first cavity 1, reduce flow resistance, and improve processing efficiency.

[0038] The first cavity 1 can be cylindrical or cuboid in shape, and its shape can be customized according to actual needs. In this embodiment, the first cavity 1 can be cuboid in shape. The first cavity 1 can be made of glass fiber, which has good strength and corrosion resistance, can adapt to complex environments, and has a low density, which can reduce the weight of the first cavity 1.

[0039] In some embodiments, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The humidity control device may also include an air inlet duct 6 and an air outlet duct 7. One end of the air inlet duct 6 can be connected to an air inlet 11, and the other end of the air inlet duct 6 can be connected to the outlet of the refrigeration unit (not shown) and the outlet of the recirculation system (not shown), respectively. As an example, there can be multiple air inlets 11 and multiple air inlet ducts 6, for example, two air inlets 11 and two air inlet ducts 6. The two air inlets 11 are connected to the two air inlet ducts 6 in a one-to-one correspondence, and the two air inlet ducts can be connected to the outlet of the refrigeration unit and the outlet of the recirculation system, respectively. One end of the air outlet duct 7 can be connected to an air outlet 12, and the other end of the air outlet duct 7 can be connected to the air supply vent of the cabin (not shown).

[0040] Reference Figure 1The gas-liquid separation element 2 can be disposed in the first cavity 1, near the air inlet 11. The gas-liquid separation element 2 is used to separate the gas and liquid of the fluid entering the first cavity 1. The gas-liquid separation element 2 is detachably disposed in the first cavity 1, and can be quickly disassembled and replaced when it becomes blocked or damaged. The gas-liquid separation element 2 can divide the first cavity 1 into a first part 13 and a second part 14. The first part 13 is connected to the air inlet 11, and the second part 14 is connected to the air outlet 12. The fluid to be treated enters the first part 13 through the air inlet 11. The fluid to be treated flows through the gas-liquid separation element 2. Air and water vapor in the fluid can pass through the gas-liquid separation element 2 and enter the second part 14, while solid-liquid mixtures cannot pass through the gas-liquid separation element 2. The solid-liquid mixture can include liquids, ice particles, etc., and the liquid is, for example, liquid water.

[0041] The number of gas-liquid separation elements 2 can be one or more. When there are multiple gas-liquid separation elements 2, the multiple gas-liquid separation elements 2 can be distributed sequentially along the flow direction of the fluid, so that the fluid flows through the multiple gas-liquid separation elements 2 in sequence, which can improve the effect of gas-liquid separation of the fluid.

[0042] The second chamber 3 is connected to the first chamber 1 and is used to collect the solid-liquid mixture separated by the gas-liquid separation element 2. The second chamber 3 can be cylindrical or cuboid in shape, and its shape can be customized according to actual needs. In this embodiment, the second chamber 3 can be cuboid. The second chamber 3 can be made of glass fiber, which has good strength and corrosion resistance, can adapt to complex environments, and has a low density, reducing the weight of the second chamber 3.

[0043] In some embodiments, refer to Figure 1 To fully utilize gravity and improve the collection efficiency of the solid-liquid mixture, the second chamber 3 can be positioned below the first chamber 1, allowing the solid-liquid mixture separated by the gas-liquid separation element 2 to enter the second chamber 3 under gravity. The first chamber 1 and the second chamber 3 can be selected as separate or integrated structures depending on actual needs. A separate structure facilitates their respective processing, installation, and maintenance; an integrated structure reduces connection gaps between components, lowers the risk of leakage, and simplifies the installation process.

[0044] Reference Figure 1The humidity regulating element 4 is positioned near the air outlet 12. A portion of the humidity regulating element 4 is located in the first cavity 1, specifically in the second part 14 of the first cavity 1. The other portion of the humidity regulating element 4 extends into the second cavity 3. The humidity regulating element 4 can regulate the humidity of the fluid in the first cavity 1, specifically in the second part 14 of the first cavity 1. The humidity regulating element 4 is detachably mounted in the second part 14 of the first cavity 1, allowing for quick removal and replacement if it becomes clogged or damaged. One end of the humidity regulating element 4 extending into the second cavity 3 can be positioned close to the bottom of the second cavity 3, for example, 5-10 mm from the bottom of the second cavity 3. This ensures that even when the amount of liquid water in the second cavity 3 is low, the humidity regulating element 4 can still contact the liquid water in the second cavity 3, thereby ensuring that the humidity regulating element 4 can absorb the liquid water in the second cavity 3. In some embodiments, the end of the humidity regulating element 4 extending into the second cavity 3 may be abutted against the bottom of the second cavity 3.

[0045] The number of humidity regulating elements 4 can be one or more. When there are multiple humidity regulating elements 4, the multiple humidity regulating elements 4 can be distributed sequentially along the flow direction of the fluid so that the fluid flows through the multiple humidity regulating elements 4 in sequence, thereby improving the humidity regulation effect of the fluid in the second part 14 of the first cavity 1.

[0046] In this application, a gas-liquid separation element 2 separates liquid water, ice particles, and other solid-liquid mixtures from air and water vapor in the fluid, and collects the solid-liquid mixture into the second chamber 3. The gas-liquid separation element 2 can dry the fluid in the first chamber 1, and the humidity adjustment element 4 regulates the humidity of the fluid in the first chamber 1, controlling the humidity within a suitable range. The humidity adjustment device of this application can effectively solve the problem of water dripping from the air outlet, while avoiding excessively dry cabin air, significantly improving the environmental comfort of passengers and crew.

[0047] In some embodiments, the gas-liquid separation element 2 is, for example, a centrifugal separator, a baffle separator, a filter separator, or a blade separator. In this embodiment, the gas-liquid separation element 2 is preferably a filter separator, and the gas-liquid separation element 2 can be made of a polymer material, such as PE (polyethylene) polymer material. The gas-liquid separation element 2 has a microporous structure, which allows gas in the fluid to pass through, such as air and water vapor, while preventing liquid and solid in the fluid from passing through, such as liquid water and solid ice particles. As an example, the pore size of the microporous structure of the gas-liquid separation element 2 is 0.1-1 μm, which allows gas molecules such as air and water vapor to pass through, while preventing liquid water and ice particles with a diameter greater than 1 μm from passing through, thereby achieving efficient gas-liquid separation.

[0048] In some embodiments, the humidity regulating element 4 may be made of a water-absorbing material, such as a membrane material, a hygroscopic ceramic or foam material, a solid adsorbent (e.g., silica gel, molecular sieve), etc. In this embodiment, the humidity regulating element 4 is preferably made of a membrane material. The humidity regulating element 4 has water absorption channels for absorbing and transporting liquid. (Refer to...) Figure 3 The structure of the water absorption channel can be similar to the capillaries in paper and plant roots. As an example, the pore size of the water absorption channel can be 10-50 μm, and the water absorption channels can be interconnected to form a dense water absorption network, which utilizes capillary action to efficiently absorb liquid water in the second cavity 3 and transfer the liquid water to the humidity regulating element 4 located in the first cavity 1.

[0049] When the humidity of the fluid in the first cavity 1 is greater than the humidity of the fluid on the surface of the humidity regulating element 4, the humidity regulating element 4 absorbs at least one of the liquid and water vapor in the first cavity 1 to dry the fluid in the first cavity 1. That is, when the humidity of the fluid in the second part 14 of the first cavity 1 is high, the partial pressure of water vapor in the fluid will be higher than the partial pressure of water vapor on the surface of the humidity regulating element 4. Water vapor in the fluid will condense on the surface of the humidity regulating element 4 and be absorbed through the water absorption channel. The absorbed moisture is ultimately transported back to the second cavity 3 for storage. This allows for secondary drying of the fluid, ensuring the dryness of the delivered fluid and preventing the fluid delivered into the cabin from being too humid.

[0050] When the fluid humidity in the first chamber 1 is lower than the fluid humidity on the surface of the humidity regulating element 4, the humidity regulating element 4 absorbs liquid from the second chamber 3 to humidify the fluid in the first chamber 1. In other words, when the fluid humidity in the second part 14 of the first chamber 1 is low, the water vapor partial pressure on the surface of the humidity regulating element 4 will be higher than the water vapor partial pressure in the fluid. The water delivered by the water absorption channel of the humidity regulating element 4 will evaporate into the fluid, humidifying it and preventing the fluid sent into the cabin from becoming too dry.

[0051] The humidity control element 4 of this application operates spontaneously through humidity difference and capillary action, requiring no additional energy consumption. This reduces the overall energy consumption of the aircraft's air handling system, meeting the aviation industry's development needs for energy conservation and emission reduction. Furthermore, the humidity control device of this application has a relatively simple structure, reducing manufacturing, installation, and maintenance costs. It also reduces the risk of system downtime due to component failure, improving the system's operational economy and reliability. Moreover, the humidity control element 4 transforms the solid-liquid mixture, which would otherwise be a source of failure, into a water resource that can be used to regulate humidity, achieving resource recycling. Through automatic humidification or dehumidification, the humidity of the air supplied to the cabin can be maintained within a comfortable range, significantly improving the experience for passengers and crew, while also ensuring the stability and continuity of water supply.

[0052] In some embodiments, refer to Figure 4 The humidity regulating element 4 can be provided with multiple first through holes 41, which are connected to at least one of the air inlet 11 and the air outlet 12. The shape of the first through hole 41 is, for example, a round hole or a square hole. As an example, the shape of the first through hole 41 is a round hole, and the axis of the first through hole 41 is in the same direction as the flow direction of the fluid. The first through hole 41 can not only reduce the flow resistance of the fluid when it flows through the humidity regulating element 4, ensuring smooth fluid flow, but also increase the contact area between the humidity regulating element 4 and the fluid, thereby improving the humidity regulation efficiency. When the fluid enters the first part 13 of the first cavity 1 from the air inlet 11, and is separated by the gas-liquid separation element 2, the dried fluid flows through the humidity regulating element 4. The fluid can flow quickly through the first through hole 41 and make full contact with the surface of the humidity regulating element 4, thereby achieving precise humidity regulation.

[0053] In some embodiments, refer to Figure 1 The humidity control device may also include an isolator 5, which can be disposed between the first cavity 1 and the second cavity 3 to prevent the solid-liquid mixture in the second cavity 3 from overflowing into the first cavity 1. Especially during changes in aircraft attitude (such as pitch during takeoff, pitch during landing, and turbulence during flight), this prevents the solid-liquid mixture in the second cavity 3 from overflowing into the first cavity 1 due to shaking or tilting of the humidity control device, thereby improving the stability and reliability of the device in complex aircraft operating environments. As an example, the isolator 5 can be made of engineering plastic material (such as polycarbonate), which provides good strength and toughness, is lightweight, and meets the requirements for lightweight aircraft.

[0054] In some embodiments, refer to Figure 5The system comprises multiple isolation elements 5, each equipped with a second through hole 51. These isolation elements 5 are stacked vertically in the direction from the second cavity 3 towards the first cavity 1, with the second through holes 51 on adjacent isolation elements staggered. This arrangement ensures that liquid water and ice particles separated by the gas-liquid separation element 2 can smoothly enter the second cavity 3 through the second through holes 51 under gravity. It also effectively prevents significant sloshing of liquid water within the second cavity 3 into the first cavity 1 due to changes in aircraft attitude (such as pitch during takeoff, pitch during landing, and turbulence during flight), thus significantly improving the stability and reliability of the humidity control device under complex aircraft operating environments.

[0055] In some embodiments, refer to Figure 2 The humidity control device may also include a sensor 8 and a drain valve 9, which work together to automatically drain the liquid water in the second chamber 3. The sensor 8 is, for example, a level sensor, which can be installed in the second chamber 3 and is used to detect the amount of liquid water in the second chamber 3. The drain valve 9 is, for example, a solenoid valve, which can be located at the bottom of the second chamber 3. When the sensor 8 detects that the liquid water collected in the second chamber 3 has reached a set level, the sensor 8 sends a signal to a controller (not shown). The controller then controls the drain valve 9 to open, allowing the liquid water to drain out and preventing excessive water accumulation in the second chamber 3 from overflowing into the first chamber 1. When the liquid level is lower than the set level, the controller controls the drain valve 9 to close, continuing to collect the solid-liquid mixture and ensuring the stability and continuity of the water supply to the humidity control element 4.

[0056] According to a second aspect of this application, one embodiment provides an air handling system for an aircraft, including a cooling component, a recirculation system, and a humidity control device. The cooling component is used to cool and depressurize fluid. An air inlet 11 of a first cavity 1 is connected to both the outlet of the cooling component and the outlet of the recirculation system, and an air outlet 12 of the first cavity 1 is connected to the air vents of the aircraft cabin. The cooled and depressurized fresh fluid output from the cooling component and the recirculated fluid output from the recirculation system enter the first cavity 1 through the air inlet 11 and mix within the first cavity 1. The mixed fluid then passes sequentially through a gas-liquid separator 2 and a humidity control element 4, before flowing into the cabin air duct through the air outlet 12, and finally into the cabin through the cabin air vents.

[0057] As an example, the working process of an aircraft's air handling system:

[0058] The cooled and depressurized fresh fluid output from the refrigeration unit mixes with the recirculated fluid output from the recirculation system in the first part 13 of the first chamber 1. The mixed fluid contains an ice-water mixture and first flows through the gas-liquid separation element 2. Under the action of the gas-liquid separation element 2, the liquid water, ice particles, and other solid-liquid mixtures in the fluid are blocked and cannot pass through the microporous structure of the gas-liquid separation element 2, while air, water vapor, and other gases pass smoothly through the gas-liquid separation element 2 and enter the second part 14 of the first chamber 1. The solid-liquid mixture blocked by the gas-liquid separation element 2 flows downward under the action of gravity, passes through the second through hole 51 of the isolation member 5, and finally enters the second chamber 3 for storage.

[0059] The fluid after gas-liquid separation flows in the second part 14 of the first cavity 1 and passes through the humidity regulating element 4. At this time, based on the difference between the humidity of the fluid in the second part 14 of the first cavity 1 and the humidity of the surface fluid of the humidity regulating element 4, the humidity regulating element 4 automatically adjusts the humidity.

[0060] If the humidity of the fluid in the second part 14 of the first cavity 1 is greater than the humidity of the fluid on the surface of the humidity regulating element 4, the humidity regulating element 4 will absorb water vapor and a small amount of residual liquid water from the fluid in the second part 14 of the first cavity 1. The absorbed moisture is transferred through the water absorption channel to the second cavity 3, thereby drying the fluid and reducing its humidity. The dried fluid is discharged from the air outlet 12 and enters the cabin air supply duct, providing the cabin with dry fluid of suitable humidity and effectively avoiding the problem of water dripping from the air outlet.

[0061] If the humidity of the fluid in the second part 14 of the first cavity 1 is lower than the humidity of the fluid on the surface of the humidity regulating element 4, the humidity regulating element 4 will absorb the liquid water in the second cavity 3 and transfer the liquid water to the humidity regulating element 4 located in the second part 14 of the first cavity 1. The liquid water in the humidity regulating element 4 is then distributed into the fluid in the second part 14 of the first cavity 1, thereby humidifying the fluid and increasing its humidity. The humidified fluid is then discharged from the air outlet 12 and enters the cabin air supply duct, providing the cabin with a suitable humidity level to prevent the cabin air from becoming too dry and improve passenger comfort.

[0062] When the liquid water collected in the second chamber 3 reaches the set level, sensor 8 sends a signal to the controller, which then opens the drain valve 9, allowing the liquid water to drain out. When the liquid level falls below the set level, the controller closes the drain valve 9, continuing to collect the solid-liquid mixture. The drainage process is automated, requiring no manual intervention and ensuring continuous and stable operation of the device.

[0063] In the description of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more features. In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0064] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions in other embodiments.

[0065] The embodiments, implementation methods, and related technical features of this application can be combined and substituted for each other without conflict.

[0066] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application in any way. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of this application without departing from the scope of the technical solution of this application shall still fall within the scope of the technical solution of this application.

Claims

1. A humidity regulating device, characterized in that, include: A first cavity, the first cavity having an air inlet and an air outlet for fluid to pass through; A gas-liquid separation element is disposed in a first cavity and near the air inlet. The gas-liquid separation element is used to separate the fluid entering the first cavity into gas and liquid. The second cavity is located below the first cavity and is connected to the first cavity. It is used to collect the solid-liquid mixture separated by the gas-liquid separation element. A humidity regulating element is provided, which is located near the air outlet. A portion of the humidity regulating element is located in the first cavity, and another portion extends into the second cavity. The humidity regulating element is capable of regulating the humidity of the fluid in the first cavity. The humidity regulating element is made of a water-absorbing material.

2. The humidity regulating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gas-liquid separation element has a microporous structure that allows gas in the fluid to pass through while preventing liquid and solid in the fluid from passing through.

3. The humidity regulating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The humidity regulating element has a water absorption channel for absorbing and transferring liquid.

4. The humidity regulating device according to claim 3, characterized in that, When the humidity of the fluid in the first cavity is greater than the humidity of the fluid on the surface of the humidity regulating element, the humidity regulating element absorbs at least one of the liquid and water vapor in the first cavity to dry the fluid in the first cavity. When the humidity of the fluid in the first cavity is lower than the humidity of the fluid on the surface of the humidity regulating element, the humidity regulating element absorbs liquid from the second cavity to humidify the fluid in the first cavity.

5. The humidity regulating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The humidity regulating element is provided with a plurality of first through holes, and the plurality of first through holes are connected to at least one of the air inlet and the air outlet.

6. The humidity regulating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The humidity regulating device further includes an isolating element disposed between the first cavity and the second cavity to prevent the solid-liquid mixture in the second cavity from overflowing into the first cavity.

7. The humidity regulating device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The number of the isolation components is multiple, each of which is provided with a second through hole. The multiple isolation components are stacked, and the positions of the second through holes on adjacent isolation components are staggered.

8. The humidity regulating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The solid-liquid mixture separated by the gas-liquid separation element enters the second cavity under the action of gravity.

9. The humidity regulating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first cavity and the second cavity are separate structures; or, the first cavity and the second cavity are an integral structure.

10. The humidity regulating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air inlet and the air outlet are respectively located at opposite ends of the first cavity.

11. An air handling system for an aircraft, characterized in that, The device includes a refrigeration component, a recirculation system, and a humidity control device as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the air inlet is connected to the outlet of the refrigeration component and the outlet of the recirculation system, respectively, the fluid output from the refrigeration component and the fluid output from the recirculation system are mixed in the first cavity, and the air outlet is connected to the air vent of the aircraft cabin.

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