Airflow mix manifold

Abstract

To provide an efficient airflow mix manifold and method for conditioning airflow in an environment-controlled space, such as onboard an aircraft.SOLUTION: An airflow mix manifold 100 includes a can 104, and a tower 106 extending from the can. The can includes an interior sidewall 204 that defines a main mixing chamber 108. The can defines at least one inlet aperture 202 through the interior sidewall to receive airflow into the main mixing chamber. The can includes a moisture collection gutter 206 that is open to the main mixing chamber and is configured to collect moisture from the airflow that coalesces onto the interior sidewall. The moisture collection gutter 206 extends circumferentially along the can. The tower defines a secondary mixing chamber 122 and includes one or more outlets 120. The secondary mixing chamber is configured to receive the airflow downstream of the can and to direct the airflow to the one or more outlets.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to an apparatus for conditioning air within an environmentally controlled space, such as an aircraft. [Background technology]

[0002]

[0002] Aircraft typically include an environmental control system for regulating various airflows within the aircraft. In particular, the environmental control system is often responsible for controlling the temperature within the aircraft cabin, and does so at least in part by mixing warm cabin-drawn air with conditioned cool air received from the air conditioning packs and circulating the resulting mixture back to the cabin. The environmental control system may include an airflow mixing manifold in which the cabin-drawn warm air is mixed with the conditioned cool air via induced spin and turbulence. The rotating airflow may cause moisture in the air to collect on the inner walls of the manifold. The airflow mixing manifold may include vertically oriented scupper channels and / or blades to collect moisture along the inner walls.

[0003]

[0003] Known mixing manifolds may be inefficient in airflow mixing and moisture separation. Inefficient mixing may require a very large mixing chamber to adequately mix the cabin intake warm air with the conditioned cool air through passively induced spin and turbulence alone. Furthermore, inefficient moisture separation may require a significant height (or length) of the mixing chamber to extract enough moisture from the air to meet a specified humidity level or range of the outgoing airflow. However, the size and height of the mixing manifold may be limited by space constraints within the aircraft, which may result in the mixing chamber being smaller and / or shorter than required for adequate mixing and moisture extraction. As a result, the outgoing airflow may not be adequately mixed. This may result in significant temperature variations in the airflow delivered to the cabin. Another risk is that the outgoing airflow may become too humid, which may undesirably condense in the cabin, resembling rain. One option is to introduce an active mixing device into the mixing manifold to induce further mixing of the airflow. However, the presence of additional mixing devices can add cost and complexity, consume limited power resources, add pressure drop, and / or be noisy. Summary of the Invention

[0004]

[0004] There is a need for an airflow mixing manifold that provides improved airflow mixing efficiency and moisture extraction compared to known mixing manifolds. With that need in mind, certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide an airflow mixing manifold that includes a can and a tower extending from the can. The can includes an inner wall defining a primary mixing chamber. The can defines at least one inlet opening through the inner wall for receiving an airflow into the primary mixing chamber. The can includes a moisture collection gutter open to the primary mixing chamber and configured to collect moisture from the airflow collecting on the inner wall. The moisture collection gutter extends circumferentially along the can. The tower defines a secondary mixing chamber and includes one or more outlets. The secondary mixing chamber is configured to receive the airflow downstream of the can and direct the airflow to the one or more outlets.

[0005] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for conditioning an airflow. The method includes mixing a first airflow with a second airflow in a mixing feed branch of an airflow mixing manifold to generate a mixed airflow. The mixing feed branch is coupled to a can of the airflow mixing manifold. The method includes feeding the mixed airflow into a main mixing chamber of the can and collecting moisture from the mixed airflow that collects on an inner wall of the can in a moisture collection gutter of the can. The moisture collection gutter extends circumferentially along the can. The method includes directing the mixed airflow downstream of the main mixing chamber and the moisture collection gutter toward one or more outlets of the airflow mixing manifold for distribution to one or more environmentally controlled spaces.

[0006]

[0006] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide an airflow mixing manifold including a can and a mixing supply branch. The can includes an inner wall defining a primary mixing chamber. The can defines an inlet opening through the inner wall for receiving an airflow into the primary mixing chamber. The can includes a moisture collection gutter open to the primary mixing chamber and configured to collect moisture from the airflow collecting on the inner wall. The moisture collection gutter extends circumferentially along the can. The mixing supply branch is coupled to the inlet opening and configured to supply the airflow into the primary mixing chamber. The mixing supply branch includes a first intake conduit carrying a first airflow stream, a second intake conduit carrying a second airflow stream, and a merge segment defining a branch mixing chamber. The branch mixing chamber is configured to allow the first airflow stream to mix with the second airflow stream to generate an airflow before the airflow enters the can.

[0007]

[0007] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like features represent like parts throughout. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1]

[0008] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an airflow mixing manifold according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2]

[0009] 2 shows the inside of the air mixing manifold shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3]

[0010] 1 illustrates a portion of an air mixing manifold including a can of the air mixing manifold according to one embodiment. [Figure 4]

[0011] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a moisture collection gutter of an airflow mixing manifold according to one embodiment. [Diagram 5]

[0012] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a flow interleaver nozzle of an airflow mixing manifold according to one embodiment. [Figure 6]

[0013] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a flow straightener of an airflow mixing manifold according to one embodiment. [Figure 7]

[0014] 1 is a flow chart of a method for adjusting an airflow according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009]

[0015] The above summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. As used herein, it should be understood that a singular element or step following "a" or "an" does not necessarily exclude a plurality of such elements or steps. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments, such additional embodiments also including the described features. Furthermore, unless expressly stated to the contrary, an embodiment "comprising" or "having" one or more elements having a particular condition may include additional elements without such condition.

[0010]

[0016] Examples of the present disclosure describe an airflow mixing manifold that mixes together multiple airflows for distribution to an environmentally controlled space, such as a vehicle cabin. The airflow mixing manifold also separates and removes entrained moisture from the airflows to control humidity of the outgoing airflow distributed to the environmentally controlled space. The airflow mixing manifold of the embodiments described herein has a modified design and arrangement over known mixing manifolds to improve air mixing efficiency and moisture extraction. For example, the airflow mixing manifold includes a moisture collection gutter or trough integrated into a can of the airflow mixing manifold. The can defines a primary mixing chamber in which at least two different airflows are mixed. The gutter extends circumferentially around the primary mixing chamber to collect water that has collected on an inner wall of the primary mixing chamber. The gutter may be fluidly connected to at least one drain port or tube for removing collected water from the airflow mixing manifold. The moisture collection gutter may provide improved moisture collection over known mixing manifolds. The airflow mixing manifold may include a flow straightener downstream of the gutter for redirecting the mixed airflow as it travels toward one or more outlets of the manifold. The airflow mixing manifold may include a tower defining a secondary mixing chamber downstream of the canister and the gutter.

[0011]

[0017] In another example of the modified design and arrangement, the airflow mixing manifold may begin mixing the different airflows upstream of the main mixing chamber of the can. For example, the airflow mixing manifold may introduce two airflows into at least one mixed feed branch connected to the can. In one embodiment, the mixed feed branch includes a flow interleaver nozzle to promote mixing of the airflows before they enter the can. Optionally, the main mixing chamber of the can may be substantially open to allow the air to flow several turns within the main mixing chamber before entering the flow straightener and / or tower. These and other aspects of the design of the airflow mixing manifold will be described in more detail herein with reference to the drawings.

[0012]

[0018] The airflow mixing manifold according to the embodiments described herein has several advantages. For example, the airflow mixing manifold may provide more efficient airflow mixing and water extraction from the air than known mixing manifolds. The enhanced water extraction reduces the risk of excess humidity in the outgoing airflow that is directed to the environmentally controlled space. The increased efficiency allows the airflow mixing manifold to be more compact than known mixing manifolds without sacrificing performance compared to known mixing manifolds. The airflow mixing manifold may be smaller than at least some known mixing manifolds, which allows for sparsity for other equipment. The airflow mixing manifold may be lighter than at least some known mixing manifolds, which is particularly beneficial for vehicle applications such as aircraft applications. The airflow mixing manifold may be relatively quiet during operation. For example, the manifold described herein may avoid actively powered mixing devices, which are known to generate noise and vibration.

[0013]

[0019] The air mixing manifold may be installed in a variety of applications. In some examples, the air mixing manifold may be mounted on a vehicle. The vehicle may include at least one passenger cabin and an air conditioning system. The vehicle may be an aircraft. Alternatively, the vehicle may be a rail car, a bus, an automobile, a truck, a watercraft, or another type of vehicle. The air mixing manifold may optionally be used in non-vehicle applications, such as facilities. Exemplary facilities include residential facilities (e.g., homes, apartment buildings, etc.), commercial facilities (e.g., restaurants, stores, offices, etc.), industrial facilities (e.g., factories, plants, etc.), and the like.

[0014]

[0020] 1 is an isometric view of an airflow mixing manifold 100 according to one embodiment. The airflow mixing manifold 100 includes a housing 102. The housing 102 may be defined by a first housing body 104, referred to herein as a can 104, and a second housing body 106, referred to herein as a tower 106. The tower 106 is connected to and extends from the can 104. The can 104 defines a primary mixing chamber 108 (shown in FIG. 2).

[0015]

[0021] The airflow mixing manifold 100 includes at least one mixing supply branch 110 attached to the can 104. In one embodiment shown, the airflow mixing manifold 100 has two mixing supply branches 110a, 110b. Each mixing supply branch 110 receives at least two different airflows and performs an initial mixing of the different airflows before the airflows enter the can 104. For example, each of the mixing supply branches 110a, 110b includes a first intake conduit 112 and a second intake conduit 114. The two intake conduits 112, 114 merge and are fluidly connected to respective branch mixing chambers 116 (shown in FIG. 2 ) defined within a merge segment 118 of the mixing supply branch 110. The first intake conduit 112 can supply a first airflow to the branch mixing chamber 116. The second intake conduit 114 can supply a second airflow to the branch mixing chamber 116. The first airflow may mix with the second airflow in the branch mixing chamber 116 to define a respective mixed airflow. The mixed airflow in the mixing supply branch 110 may be referred to as a partially mixed airflow. The partially mixed airflow enters the main mixing chamber 108 of the canister 104. Within the main mixing chamber 108, the partially mixed airflow continues to mix as the airflow circumferentially circulates around the main mixing chamber 108.

[0016]

[0022] Airflow refers to a moving volume of air, such as a stream. In one example, the first airflow can be air drawn from an environmentally controlled space. Air drawn from an environmentally controlled space can be referred to as recirculated air. The environmentally controlled space can be a room or a cabin. In one example, the environmentally controlled space can be a cabin of a vehicle, such as an aircraft. The second airflow can be air from an air conditioning system. The air conditioning system can be an air conditioning pack, an air circulation machine, or the like. The air conditioning system can actively cool the second airflow, such as via a reversible isothermal gas expansion process.

[0017]

[0023] The airflow mixing manifold 100 includes one or more outlets 120 along the tower 106. The tower 106 defines a secondary mixing chamber 122 (shown in FIG. 2). The airflow exiting the primary mixing chamber 108 of the canister 104 is substantially mixed and is referred to as a mixed airflow. The mixed airflow from the primary mixing chamber 108 enters a secondary mixing chamber 122 in the tower 106. The mixed airflow may experience further mixing in the secondary mixing chamber 122. The mixed airflow exits the airflow mixing manifold 100 through one or more outlets 120. The airflow mixing manifold 100 has multiple outlets 120 in one illustrated embodiment. The outlets 120 may be coupled to respective conduits (e.g., ducts, tubes, hoses, etc.). Each conduit extends to a different space or area to provide conditioned airflow to the different spaces or areas within the vehicle or building. The mixed airflow exiting through outlet 120 is referred to herein as the delivery airflow. In one embodiment, the delivery airflow may be conditioned cool air that is directed into the cabin of an aircraft.

[0018]

[0024] The airflow traverses in a downstream direction 124 through the housing 102 of the airflow mixing manifold 100. In one embodiment, the housing 102 is oriented vertically. The tower 106 may be above the can 104, such that the tower 106 extends beyond the top end 126 of the can 104. In this orientation, the downstream direction 124 is vertically upward. The mixed supply branch is located at or adjacent to the bottom end 128 of the housing 102. The outlet 120 is located at or adjacent to the top end 130 of the housing 102. Optionally, the airflow mixing manifold 100 may have a different orientation. For example, the airflow mixing manifold 100 may be rotated to have the housing 102 oriented horizontally. The airflow mixing manifold 100 may be determined by the available space in the vehicle or building in which it is installed, the location of existing conduits to connect to the mixed supply branch and / or the outlet 120, etc.

[0019]

[0025] FIG. 2 shows the inside of the airflow mixing manifold 100 shown in FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the airflow mixing manifold 100 generally. The mixing feed branch 110 is attached to the can 104 along a lower region of the can 104 proximate the bottom end 128. The mixing feed branch 110 feeds the partially mixed airflow into the main mixing chamber 108 through a corresponding inlet opening 202. In one embodiment, the main mixing chamber 108 is cylindrical. The mixing feed branch 110 may be arranged and positioned to direct the mixed airflow in a direction that encourages circumferential circulation of the airflow within the main mixing chamber 108. The airflow may essentially rotate around the inner wall 204 of the can 104. The inner wall 204 defines the radially outer boundary of the main mixing chamber 108. For example, the inlet openings 202 may be spaced around the circumference of the can 104. The mixed feed branch 110 may be oriented to direct the partially mixed airflow in a generally tangential direction to the circumference. In one embodiment, the mixed feed branch 110 may direct the partially mixed airflow in a complementary direction that encourages circumferential circulation of the airflow in a common rotational direction (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise). In the illustrated orientation shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the first mixed feed branch 110a may direct the first partially mixed airflow in a leftward direction into the front inlet opening 202. The second mixed feed branch 110b directs the second partially mixed airflow in a rightward direction into the rear inlet opening 202. When viewed from above the can 104, the airflow circulates in a clockwise direction. The circumferential circulation exerts a centrifugal force on the separated moisture, pushing the moisture against the inner wall 204. Optionally, the mixed feed branch 110 may direct the partially mixed airflow to circulate in a counterclockwise direction. In an alternative embodiment, the mixing feed branch 110 may direct the partially mixed airflows in different opposing directions relative to each other. One potential drawback of this alternative embodiment is that less water may collect on the inner wall 204 due to reduced centrifugal force, resulting in less overall water extraction.

[0020]

[0026] The airflow mixing manifold 100 may include a moisture collection gutter 206 integrated into the can 104. The moisture collection gutter 206, also referred to herein as gutter 206, is designed to collect liquid water (e.g., moisture) that collects on the inner wall 204. The gutter 206 is open to the main mixing chamber 108 and is connected to the inner wall 204. The gutter 206 may be located at or near the downstream end of the main mixing chamber 108. For example, locating the gutter 206 in the downstream portion of the main mixing chamber 108 may ensure that: the gutter 206 collects a substantially majority (e.g., greater than 90%) of the water that collects on the inner wall 204. The can 104 may be designed such that all of the water that collects on the inner wall 204 may be received in the gutter 206. In the illustrated vertical orientation, the downstream end of the main mixing chamber 108 is the top end 126 of the can 104. The gutter 206 may be disposed at the top end 126 of the can 104 .

[0021]

[0027] The gutter 206 may have a convex curvature that bulges away from the main mixing chamber 108. In one embodiment shown, the gutter 206 bulges in the downstream direction 124. As described in more detail herein, the curvature of the gutter 206 traps liquid water moving in the downstream direction 124 along the inner wall 204. For example, circumferential circulation of the mixed airflow within the main mixing chamber 108 may force the liquid water against the inner wall 204 via centrifugal force. The downstream flow of the mixed airflow (e.g., due to a pressure gradient) causes the liquid water on the inner wall 204 to move downstream until the water enters the gutter 206. The gutter 206 may direct the water into a scupper trough 208 for draining the water from the airflow mixing manifold 100.

[0022]

[0028] In one embodiment, the can 104 and the tower 106 are both cylindrical and coaxial. The can 104 may have a larger diameter than the tower 106, such that the can 104 has a shoulder 210 that protrudes radially beyond the tower 106. For example, the shoulder 210 may extend from the inner wall 212 of the tower 106 to the inner wall 204 of the can 104. The gutter 206 may be disposed along the shoulder 210 of the can 104. For example, the gutter 206 may extend generally radially inward from the inner wall 204 of the can 104 toward the inner wall 212 of the tower 106.

[0023]

[0029] 3 shows a portion of an airflow mixing manifold 100 including a can 104. In one embodiment, a gutter 206 extends annularly around the entire circumference of the can 104. For example, the gutter 206 may include an annular bulge 214 at the top end 126 of the can 104 along a shoulder 210. The curvature of the gutter 206 may closely resemble a crown. The gutter 206 may generally bulge axially downstream. Optionally, a scupper trough 208 may bulge radially outward. For example, the scupper trough 208 may include a ridge 216 or lip between an outer surface 218 of the can 104 and the annular bulge 214 of the gutter 206. In an alternative embodiment, the gutter 206 may bulge radially outward in addition to or instead of bulging axially downstream.

[0024]

[0030] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a moisture collection gutter 206 according to one embodiment. The gutter 206 of the canister 104 may include a gutter wall 220 and a scupper trough 222. The gutter wall 220 may extend along a curved path from the inner wall 212 of the tower 106. The gutter wall 220 may provide a convex annular bulge 214 shown in FIG. 3. The gutter wall 220 may define a vaulted ceiling of the main mixing chamber 108. The scupper trough 222 may be connected to the gutter wall 220. For example, the scupper trough 222 may be a bump-out integrally connected to a radially outer end of the gutter wall 220. The scupper trough 222 defines the ridge 216 shown in FIG. 3. The scupper trough 222 defines an annular channel 224 that is fluidly open to the main mixing chamber 108. The annular channel 224 may be a slot or groove disposed between the gutter wall 220 and the inner wall 204. The annular channel 224 may be recessed relative to the inner wall 204 such that moisture traveling along the inner wall 204 falls into the annular channel 224 as it travels past the lip 226 of the inner wall 204.

[0025]

[0031] During operation, moisture may travel two primary paths into the annular channel 224 of the scupper trough 222. For example, the primary path of travel is along the inner wall 204, as indicated by arrow 228. Force from the rotating mixed airflow may push moisture that has collected on the inner wall 204, moving it upward (e.g., downstream) until it drips off the lip 226 into the annular channel 224. The secondary path of travel is radially outward, as indicated by arrow 230, along the curved gutter wall 220. In one example, the gutter 206 may include a scupper blade 232 that defines a flange 234 that extends toward the annular channel 224. In one embodiment shown, the scupper blade 232 is a discrete element attached to the inner surface 236 of the gutter wall 220. A first section of the scupper blade 232 may be bonded to the gutter wall 220. A second section of the scupper blade 232 may protrude from the gutter wall 220 to define a flange 234. Moisture moving along the secondary migration path may move from the inner surface 236 of the gutter wall 220 along the first section and onto the scupper blade 232. The rotating mixed airflow may then move the moisture onto the flange 234 and drip off the edge 238 of the flange 234 into the annular channel 224. In a first alternative embodiment, the scupper blade 232 may be an integral part of the gutter wall 220. For example, the gutter wall 220 may be molded or otherwise formed to include a cantilever flange strip representing the flange 234 shown in FIG. 4. In a second alternative embodiment, the gutter 206 may not have a scupper blade 232. For example, moisture moving along the secondary migration path may drip off the inner surface 236 of the gutter wall 220 directly into the annular channel 224 (without moving along a cantilever flange).

[0026]

[0032] As shown and described with reference to FIG. 4, the gutter 206 is designed to capture and trap moisture that has collected on the inner surface of the main mixing chamber 108. The collected moisture can be removed from the annular channel 224. The mixed airflow traveling downstream through the tower 106 and exiting through the outlet(s) 120 has a lower moisture content (e.g., humidity). The airflow mixing manifold 100 described herein can efficiently and effectively extract water from the airflow. In one embodiment, the scupper trough 222 can include one or more drain ports for draining the collected water from the airflow mixing manifold 100. FIG. 4 shows a drain tube 240 attached to the scupper trough 222 outside the main mixing chamber 108. The drain tube 240 can receive water from the annular channel 224 and be fluidly connected to the drain ports for directing the water away from the airflow mixing manifold 100. Optionally, the air mixing manifold 100 may have multiple drain tubes 240 at different locations around the circumference of the canister 104. In an alternative embodiment, the air mixing manifold 100 may lack drain tubes. For example, water may only drip onto the exterior surface of the canister 104 through the open drain ports in the scupper trough 222. The water may collect in a tray below the canister 104.

[0027]

[0033] In one embodiment, the airflow mixing manifold 100 may include a heater strip 242 attached to the gutter 206. The heater strip 242 may be an active heating element that is selectively operated to increase the temperature of the gutter 206. The heater strip 242 may heat the gutter 206 to prevent liquid water from freezing along the surface of the gutter 206, which may impede moisture extraction. Additionally, the heater strip 242 may be operated to melt ice already present along the surface of the gutter 206. In one example, the heater strip 242 may be attached to the gutter wall 220. The heater strip 242 may be disposed on an outer surface 244 of the gutter wall 220 (facing away from the main mixing chamber 108). The heater strip 242 may include an electrical resistance element that generates heat when an electrical current is applied to the electrical resistance element. The heater strip 242 extends annularly along the convex bulge 214 of the gutter 206 for the entire circumferential length of the gutter 206 or at least a segment of the circumferential length of the gutter 206. In an alternative embodiment, the heater strip 242 may be positioned along the can 104, such as upstream (e.g., below) the scupper trough 222. Optionally, the heater strip 242 shown in FIG. 4 may be the first heater strip. The airflow mixing manifold 100 may include a second heater strip attached along the can 104 upstream of the scupper trough 222. In another alternative embodiment, the airflow mixing manifold 100 may lack any heater strip. For example, in some applications, the airflow may be warm enough that freezing is not a concern.

[0028]

[0034] 2, in one embodiment, the airflow mixing manifold 100 begins mixing the different airflows in at least one mixing feed branch 110 upstream of the main mixing chamber 108 of the can 104. For example, the mixing feed branch 110 may be designed such that a portion of the first intake conduit 112 is disposed within and surrounded by a portion of the second intake conduit 114 along a merge segment 118 of the mixing feed branch 110. Thus, the second airflow in the second intake conduit 114 flows around the outside of the first intake conduit 112. The first airflow is released from the distal end 250 of the first intake conduit 112 and immediately mixes with the surrounding second airflow in the branch mixing chamber 116.

[0029]

[0035] In one embodiment, the airflow mixing manifold 100 includes a flow interleaver nozzle 252 to facilitate mixing of the airflows before they enter the cans 104. For example, the flow interleaver nozzle 252 may be attached to the distal end 250 of the first intake conduit 112 in the merge segment 118. In one example, each of the mixed supply branches 110 includes a respective flow interleaver nozzle 252. The flow interleaver nozzles 252 are designed to facilitate mixing of the first and second airflows within the branch mixing chambers 116.

[0030]

[0036] 5 is an isometric view of a flow interleaver nozzle 252 according to one embodiment. The flow interleaver nozzle 252 may represent each of the flow interleaver nozzles 252 shown in FIG. 2. The flow interleaver nozzle 252 is a lobed mixer. The flow interleaver nozzle 252 may include a tubular body 254. The tubular body 254 is attached to the distal end 250 of the first intake conduit 112 and configured to receive the first airflow from the first intake conduit 112. The tubular body 254 is oriented and extends along an interleaver nozzle 256. The flow interleaver nozzle 252 may include a plurality of converging airflow guides 258 and a plurality of diverging airflow guides 260. The plurality of converging airflow guides 258 extend radially from the tubular body 254 toward the interleaver axis 256. A plurality of divergent airflow guides 260 extend radially from the tubular body 254 away from the interleaver axis 256. The converging airflow guides 258 may alternate azimuthally with the divergent airflow guides 260. The converging airflow guides 258 and divergent airflow guides 260 may split the first and second airflows into a plurality of first airflow streams flowing downstream from the tubular body 254 and a plurality of second airflow streams flowing downstream from an area outside the tubular body 254. The converging airflow guides 258 and divergent airflow guides 260 may collectively alternate the first and second airflow streams to generate a mixed airflow. The flow interleaver nozzle 252 may have a shape similar to one or more of the airflow interleavers described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0177142, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0031]

[0037] 2, in one embodiment, the flow interleaver nozzles 252 are in the mixed feed branch 110 and not in the main mixing chamber 108. The main mixing chamber 108 may be relatively open and empty. Optionally, the main mixing chamber 108 may be completely open and empty so as not to impede the circulation of the mixed airflow.

[0032]

[0038] In one embodiment, the airflow mixing manifold 100 includes a flow straightener 270 designed to redirect the mixed airflow as it travels downstream toward one or more outlets 120. The flow straightener 270 may be located downstream of the gutter 206 and / or downstream of the can 104. In one example, the flow straightener 270 is located in the tower 106, such as at the upstream inlet to the secondary mixing chamber 122. The flow straightener 270 may redirect the mixed airflow from a circumferential circulation in the primary mixing chamber 108 to a more axially downstream flow direction in the secondary mixing chamber 122. The flow straightener 270 may have a diameter similar to that of the secondary mixing chamber 122. All or a majority of the mixed airflow is thereby forced to flow through and / or along the flow straightener 270 before reaching the outlet 120.

[0033]

[0039] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a flow straightener 270 according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the design of the flow straightener 270 may be similar to the flow interleaver nozzle 252 shown in FIG. 5. The flow straightener 270 may be generally more open than the flow interleaver nozzle 252 so as not to impede downstream flow. The flow straightener 270 has a tubular body 272 and a number of circumferentially spaced fins 274 or guide structures extending from the tubular body 272. The fins 274 may divide the swirling mixed airflow into a number of mixed airflow streams moving generally in a common direction toward the outlet 120. A central cavity 276 through the flow straightener 270 may be generally open. The central cavity 276 is defined by the fins 274 and the tubular body 272.

[0034]

[0040] Referring now back to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the height of the tower 106 from the flow straightener 270 to the outlet 120 is flexible based on the desired application and / or user preference. For example, as described above, most of the air mixing and water extraction occurs within the can 104. Because the air mixing manifold 100 described herein does not require an extended secondary mixing chamber 122, the tower 106 can be relatively short and compact. For example, the tower 106 can optionally be shorter than the tower 106 shown in FIG. 2. As a result, the air mixing manifold 100 can occupy less space and have a lighter weight by reducing the size of the tower 106. This compactness may be particularly beneficial in aircraft and other vehicle applications. In retrofit applications, the tower 106 may have a longer length in order to align the outlet 120 with a corresponding conduit within the vehicle or building in which the air mixing manifold 100 is installed.

[0035]

[0041] Figure 7 is a flow chart 300 of a method for adjusting airflow according to one embodiment. The method may be performed using the airflow mixing manifold 100 according to the embodiments shown in Figures 1-6. The method may optionally include at least one step in addition to, at least one step less than, and / or at least one step different from those shown in Figure 7.

[0036]

[0042] In step 302, a first airflow is channeled from one or more environmentally controlled spaces within a vehicle or building to a first intake duct 112 of a mixed supply branch 110 of an airflow mixing manifold 100. The mixed supply branch 110 is coupled to a can 104 of the airflow mixing manifold 100. The first airflow may be channeled along a duct to the first intake duct 112 via one or more blowers, pumps, fans, or the like. In one embodiment, the one or more environmentally controlled spaces is a cabin within an aircraft. For example, the method may include installing the airflow mixing manifold 100 within the aircraft. The airflow mixing manifold 100 may represent a portion of an environmental control system for the aircraft.

[0037]

[0043] In step 304, the second airflow is directed to the second intake conduit 114 of the mixed supply branch 110. The second airflow may be received from an air conditioning system (e.g., an air conditioning pack, an air circulation machine, etc.). For example, the second airflow may be cold air. The first airflow may be recirculated air.

[0038]

[0044] In step 306, the first airflow is mixed with the second airflow in the mixing feed branch 110 to generate a mixed airflow. The mixing feed branch 110 may include a merge segment 118 that defines a branch mixing chamber 116. The first airflow may be partially mixed with the second airflow in the branch mixing chamber 116 before entering the can 104.

[0039]

[0045] In step 308, the mixed airflow is fed from the mixing feed branch 110 into the main mixing chamber 108 of the canister 104. The mixing feed branch 110 and optionally further mixing feed branches 110 may be positioned and oriented to promote circumferential circulation of the mixed airflow within the main mixing chamber 108 without the use of active mixing elements.

[0040]

[0046] At step 310, moisture from the mixed airflow that collects on the inner wall 204 of the can 104 is collected in a moisture collection gutter 206 of the can 104. The moisture collection gutter 206 extends circumferentially along the can 104. Centrifugal forces from the circulating mixed airflow may cause the moisture to separate and collect on the inner wall 204. The gutter 206 may be positioned and oriented to capture moisture present along the inner wall 204 as it travels in the downstream direction 124.

[0041]

[0047] At step 312, moisture captured by the gutter 206 is drained from the airflow mixing manifold 100 via one or more drain ports in a scupper trough 222 of the gutter 206. The scupper trough 222 defines an annular channel 224 that is recessed relative to the inner side wall 204 of the can 104 and the gutter wall 220 of the gutter 206, thereby allowing moisture to drip into the annular channel 224. The scupper trough 222 may include drain ports. Through the drain ports, moisture within the annular channel 224 is removed from within the can 104.

[0042]

[0048] At step 314, the mixed airflow downstream of the primary mixing chamber 108 and the gutter 206 is directed towards one or more outlets 120 of the airflow mixing manifold 100 for distribution to one or more environmentally controlled spaces. The airflow mixing manifold 100 may include a tower 106 attached to the can 104, the tower 106 defining a secondary mixing chamber 122. Directing the mixed airflow downstream of the primary mixing chamber 108 and the gutter 206 may include directing the mixed airflow through a flow straightener 270 and into the secondary mixing chamber 122. The tower 106 may include one or more outlets 120 of the airflow mixing manifold 100.

[0043]

[0049] Article 1. a can including an inner wall defining a primary mixing chamber, the can defining at least one inlet opening through the inner wall for receiving an airflow into the primary mixing chamber, the can including a moisture collection gutter opening to the primary mixing chamber and configured to collect moisture from the airflow that collects on the inner wall, the moisture collection gutter extending circumferentially along the can; and an airflow mixing manifold comprising: a tower extending from the can, the tower defining a secondary mixing chamber and including one or more outlets, the secondary mixing chamber configured to receive the airflow downstream of the can and direct the airflow to the one or more outlets.

[0044]

[0050] Article 2. 2. The airflow mixing manifold of claim 1, wherein the moisture collection gutter is disposed at an end of the canister in a downstream direction.

[0045]

[0051] Article 3. 3. The airflow mixing manifold of claim 1 or 2, wherein the can is cylindrical and the moisture collection gutter includes curved gutter walls defining an annular bulge along the can.

[0046]

[0052] Article 4. 4. The airflow mixing manifold of any one of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the can and the tower are both cylindrical, the can has a larger diameter than the tower, and the moisture collection gutter is positioned along a shoulder of the can that protrudes radially beyond the tower.

[0047]

[0053] Article 5. The airflow mixing manifold of any one of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the moisture collection gutter includes a scupper trough defining an annular channel configured to receive the moisture from the airflow and discharge the moisture outside the canister and tower.

[0048]

[0054] Article 6. 6. The airflow mixing manifold of claim 5, wherein the moisture collection gutter includes a gutter wall and a scupper blade attached to the gutter wall, the scupper blade defining a flange extending toward the annular channel, the flange configured to convey moisture from the airflow that collects on the gutter wall and the scupper blade from an edge of the flange and into the annular channel.

[0049]

[0055] Article 7. 7. The airflow mixing manifold of any one of clauses 1 to 6, further comprising a heater strip attached to the moisture collection gutter, the heater strip configured to heat the moisture collection gutter to prevent freezing of the moisture along one or more surfaces of the moisture collection gutter.

[0050]

[0056] Article 8. 8. The airflow mixing manifold of any one of clauses 1 to 7, further comprising at least one mixed supply branch coupled to the at least one inlet opening, a first mixed supply branch of the at least one mixed supply branch including a first intake duct carrying a first airflow, a second intake duct carrying a second airflow, and a merge segment defining a branch mixing chamber, the merge segment including a distal end of the first intake duct disposed within the branch mixing chamber, the distal end of the first intake duct being surrounded by a portion of the second intake duct.

[0051]

[0057] Article 9. 9. The airflow mixing manifold of claim 8, wherein the first mixing supply branch includes a flow interleaver nozzle mounted at the distal end of the first intake conduit within the branch mixing chamber, the flow interleaver nozzle configured to promote mixing of the first airflow and the second airflow before the first airflow and the second airflow enter the can.

[0052]

[0058] Article 10. The airflow mixing manifold of claim 8, wherein the airflow mixing manifold includes a second of the at least one mixed supply branch, the first mixed supply branch coupled to a first inlet opening of the at least one inlet opening and the second mixed supply branch coupled to a second inlet opening of the at least one inlet opening, the first inlet opening and the second inlet opening being circumferentially spaced along the can, and the first mixed supply branch and the second mixed supply branch having different orientations relative to the can to provide circumferential circulation of the airflow in a common rotational direction within the main mixing chamber.

[0053]

[0059] Article 11. 11. The airflow mixing manifold of claim 1, further comprising a flow straightener disposed in the secondary mixing chamber of the tower, the flow straightener configured to redirect the airflow received from the primary mixing chamber towards the one or more outlets.

[0054]

[0060] Article 12. 1. A method for regulating airflow, comprising: mixing the first airflow with the second airflow in a mixing supply branch of an airflow mixing manifold, the mixing supply branch being coupled to a can of the airflow mixing manifold; providing said mixed airflow into a main mixing chamber of said can; collecting moisture from the mixed airflow that collects on the inside wall of the can in a moisture collection gutter of the can; and directing the mixed airflow downstream of the main mixing chamber and the moisture collection gutter toward one or more outlets of the airflow mixing manifold for distribution to one or more environmentally controlled spaces.

[0055]

[0061] Article 13. directing the first airflow from the one or more environmentally controlled spaces to a first intake conduit of the mixing supply branch; and 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising directing the second airflow from an air conditioning system to a second intake conduit of the mixed supply branch.

[0056]

[0062] Article 14. 14. The method of any one of clauses 12-13, wherein the moisture collection gutter includes a scupper trough defining an annular channel, the method further comprising draining the moisture from the airflow mixing manifold through one or more drain ports in the scupper trough.

[0057]

[0063] Article 15. 15. The method of any one of clauses 12 to 14, wherein the airflow mixing manifold includes a tower attached to the canister, the tower defining a secondary mixing chamber, and directing the mixed airflow downstream of the main mixing chamber and the moisture collection gutter includes directing the mixed airflow through a flow straightener and into the secondary mixing chamber, and the tower includes the one or more outlets of the airflow mixing manifold.

[0058]

[0064] Article 16. 16. The method of any one of clauses 12 to 15, further comprising installing the airflow mixing manifold on board an aircraft.

[0059]

[0065] Article 17. a can including an inner wall defining a primary mixing chamber, the can defining an inlet opening through the inner wall for receiving an airflow into the primary mixing chamber, the can including a moisture collection gutter opening to the primary mixing chamber and configured to collect moisture from the airflow that collects on the inner wall, the moisture collection gutter extending circumferentially along the can; an airflow mixing manifold comprising: a mixing supply branch coupled to the inlet opening and configured to supply the airflow into the main mixing chamber, the mixing supply branch including a first intake conduit carrying a first airflow stream, a second intake conduit carrying a second airflow stream, and a merge segment defining a branch mixing chamber, the branch mixing chamber configured to allow the first airflow stream to mix with the second airflow stream to generate the airflow before the airflow enters the can.

[0060]

[0066] Article 18. 18. The airflow mixing manifold of claim 17, comprising a tower extending from the can, the tower defining a secondary mixing chamber and including one or more outlets, the secondary mixing chamber configured to receive the airflow downstream of the can and direct the airflow to the one or more outlets.

[0061]

[0067] Article 19. 19. The airflow mixing manifold of claim 17 or 18, wherein the merge segment includes a distal end of the first intake conduit disposed within the branch mixing chamber, the distal end of the first intake conduit being surrounded by a portion of the second intake conduit, and the mixed supply branch includes a flow interleaver nozzle attached to the distal end of the first intake conduit.

[0062]

[0068] Article 20. 20. The airflow mixing manifold of any one of clauses 17 to 19, wherein the moisture collection gutter includes a scupper trough defining an annular channel, the annular channel configured to receive the moisture from the airflow and expel the moisture outside the can.

[0063]

[0069] For purposes of describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, various spatial and directional terms may be used, such as top, bottom, lower, middle, sideways, horizontal, vertical, front, etc., but it should be understood that such terms are used only with reference to the orientations shown in the drawings, and that these orientations may be flipped, rotated, or otherwise changed so that top becomes bottom, bottom becomes top, horizontal becomes vertical, and so on.

[0064]

[0070] As used herein, a structure, limitation, or element that is "configured to" perform a task or operation is structurally shaped, configured, or adapted to specifically correspond to the task or operation. For the sake of clarity and to avoid doubt, an object that can merely be modified to perform a task or operation is not, as used herein, "configured / set to" perform a task or operation.

[0065]

[0071] It should be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, not limiting. For example, the above-described embodiments (and / or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications can be made to the teachings of the various embodiments of the present disclosure to adapt to a particular situation or material without departing from the scope of such embodiments. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the various embodiments of the present disclosure, these embodiments are in no way limiting, but are exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the above description. The scope of the various embodiments of the present disclosure should therefore be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims and the detailed description herein, the words "including" and "in which" are used as the plain English equivalents of the words "comprising" and "wherein," respectively. Moreover, terms such as "first," "second," and "third" are used merely as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Moreover, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function form, and are not intended to be construed under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless such claim limitations expressly use the phrase "means for" followed by a statement of function lacking further structure.

[0066]

[0072] The present specification uses examples to disclose various embodiments of the present disclosure, including the best mode, and also enables one of ordinary skill in the art to practice various embodiments of the present disclosure, including making and using any device or system, and performing any integrated method. The patentable scope of the various embodiments of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements that have only minor differences from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

1. A can (104) including an inner wall (204) defining a primary mixing chamber (108), the can defining at least one inlet opening (202) through the inner wall for receiving an airflow into the primary mixing chamber, and a moisture collection gutter (206) open to the primary mixing chamber, the moisture collection gutter (206) configured to collect moisture from the airflow that collects on the inner wall, the moisture collection gutter extending circumferentially along the can; and 1. An airflow mixing manifold (100) comprising: a tower (106) extending from the can, the tower defining a secondary mixing chamber (122) and including one or more outlets (120), the secondary mixing chamber configured to receive the airflow downstream of the can and direct the airflow to the one or more outlets.

2. The airflow mixing manifold (100) of claim 1, wherein the moisture collection gutter (206) is disposed at an end of the can (104) following a downstream direction (124).

3. 2. The airflow mixing manifold of claim 1, wherein the can (104) is cylindrical and the moisture collection gutter (206) includes curved gutter walls (220) that define an annular bulge (214) along the can.

4. 2. The airflow mixing manifold of claim 1, wherein the can (104) and the tower (106) are both cylindrical, the can (104) has a larger diameter than the tower, and the moisture collection gutter (206) is disposed along a shoulder (210) of the can (104) that projects radially beyond the tower.

5. 2. The airflow mixing manifold of claim 1, wherein the moisture collection gutter includes a scupper trough defining an annular channel configured to receive the moisture from the airflow and expel the moisture outside of the canister and tower.

6. 6. The airflow mixing manifold of claim 5, wherein the moisture collection gutter (206) includes a gutter wall (220) and a scupper blade (232) attached to the gutter wall, the scupper blade defining a flange (234) extending toward the annular channel (224), the flange configured to convey moisture from the airflow that collects on the gutter wall and the scupper blade from an edge (238) of the flange into the annular channel.

7. 2. The airflow mixing manifold of claim 1, further comprising a heater strip attached to the moisture collection gutter, the heater strip configured to heat the moisture collection gutter to prevent freezing of the moisture along one or more surfaces of the moisture collection gutter.

8. 2. The airflow mixing manifold of claim 1, further comprising at least one mixed feed branch coupled to the at least one inlet opening, a first mixed feed branch of the at least one mixed feed branch including a first intake duct carrying a first airflow, a second intake duct carrying a second airflow, and a merge segment defining a branch mixing chamber, the merge segment including a distal end of the first intake duct disposed within the branch mixing chamber, the distal end of the first intake duct being surrounded by a portion of the second intake duct.

9. 9. The airflow mixing manifold of claim 8, wherein the first mixing supply branch includes a flow interleaver nozzle attached to the distal end of the first intake conduit within the branch mixing chamber, the flow interleaver nozzle configured to promote mixing of the first and second airflows before the first and second airflows enter the canister.

10. 10. The airflow mixing manifold of claim 8, wherein the airflow mixing manifold includes a second mixed feed branch of the at least one mixed feed branch, the first mixed feed branch being coupled to a first inlet opening of the at least one inlet opening and the second mixed feed branch being coupled to a second inlet opening of the at least one inlet opening, the first and second inlet openings being circumferentially spaced along the can, and the first and second mixed feed branches having different orientations with respect to the can to provide circumferential circulation of the airflow in a common rotational direction within the main mixing chamber.

11. 2. The airflow mixing manifold of claim 1, further comprising a flow straightener disposed in the secondary mixing chamber of the tower, the flow straightener configured to redirect the airflow received from the primary mixing chamber toward the one or more outlets.

12. 1. A method for regulating airflow, comprising: mixing a first airflow with a second airflow in a mixing supply branch (110) of an airflow mixing manifold (100), the mixing supply branch being coupled to a can (104) of the airflow mixing manifold, to generate a mixed airflow; providing said mixed airflow into a main mixing chamber (108) of said can; collecting moisture from the mixed airflow that collects on an inside wall (204) of the can in a moisture collection gutter (206) of the can, the moisture collection gutter extending circumferentially along the can; and directing the mixed airflow downstream of the main mixing chamber and the moisture collection gutter toward one or more outlets (120) of the airflow mixing manifold for distribution to one or more environmentally controlled spaces.

13. directing the first airflow from the one or more environmentally controlled spaces into a first intake conduit (112) of the mixed supply branch (110); and The method of claim 12, further comprising directing the second airflow from an air conditioning system to a second intake conduit (114) of the mixed supply branch.

14. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the moisture collection gutter (206) includes a scupper trough (222) defining an annular channel (224), the method further comprising draining the moisture from the airflow mixing manifold (100) through one or more drain ports in the scupper trough.

15. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the airflow mixing manifold (100) includes a tower (106) attached to the can (104), the tower (106) defining a secondary mixing chamber (122), and directing the mixed airflow downstream of the primary mixing chamber (108) and the moisture collection gutter (206) includes directing the mixed airflow through a flow straightener (270) and into the secondary mixing chamber, and the tower includes the one or more outlets (120) of the airflow mixing manifold.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising installing the airflow mixing manifold (100) in an aircraft.

17. A can (104) including an inner wall (204) defining a primary mixing chamber (108), the can defining an inlet opening (202) through the inner wall for receiving an airflow into the primary mixing chamber, and including a moisture collection gutter (206) open to the primary mixing chamber, the moisture collection gutter (206) configured to collect moisture from the airflow that collects on the inner wall, the moisture collection gutter extending circumferentially along the can; 1. An airflow mixing manifold (100) comprising: a mixing feed branch (110) coupled to the inlet opening and configured to feed the airflow into the main mixing chamber, the mixing feed branch including a first intake conduit (112) carrying a first airflow stream, a second intake conduit (114) carrying a second airflow stream, and a merge segment (118) defining a branch mixing chamber (116), the branch mixing chamber configured to allow the first airflow stream to mix with the second airflow stream to generate the airflow before the airflow enters the can.

18. 20. The airflow mixing manifold of claim 17, further comprising a tower extending from the can, the tower defining a secondary mixing chamber and including one or more outlets, the secondary mixing chamber configured to receive the airflow downstream of the can and direct the airflow to the one or more outlets.

19. 20. The airflow mixing manifold of claim 17, wherein the merge segment includes a distal end of the first intake conduit disposed within the branch mixing chamber, the distal end of the first intake conduit being surrounded by a portion of the second intake conduit, and the mixed supply branch includes a flow interleaver nozzle attached to the distal end of the first intake conduit.

20. 20. The airflow mixing manifold (100) of claim 17, wherein the moisture collection gutter (206) includes a scupper trough (222) defining an annular channel (224), the annular channel configured to receive the moisture from the airflow and expel the moisture outside of the canister (104).

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