Aircraft Oxygen Enriched Air Reuse via Air Separator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft systems for oxygen delivery, such as Environmental Control Systems (ECS) and emergency oxygen systems, face inefficiencies and limitations in oxygen supply and distribution, particularly in emergency decompression scenarios.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves reusing oxygen enriched air from an inerting system or air separator, which separates a pressurized air stream into oxygen enriched air and inert gas. This oxygen enriched air is then fed to the ECS, emergency oxygen system, or other aircraft subsystems, thereby optimizing oxygen utilization and reducing waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional emergency oxygen systems use chemical oxygen generators or gaseous manifold systems, then oxygen supply is provided for emergency decompression, but the system weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air separation unit serves multiple functions: it provides oxygen-enriched air for cabin pressurization during normal operation and serves as the emergency oxygen supply source during decompression events. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate emergency oxygen systems, reducing weight and cost while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and reuses the oxygen-enriched air produced by the air separation unit for both primary cabin pressurization and emergency oxygen supply. Instead of discarding this oxygen-enriched stream, it is utilized twice, eliminating waste and removing the need for additional emergency oxygen storage systems.
2Reliability
If chemical oxygen generators are used for emergency oxygen supply, then oxygen is produced through exothermic reaction, but the system complexity and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air separation unit continuously produces oxygen-enriched air that automatically serves as the emergency oxygen supply. The system is self-sufficient, using its own primary production capacity to fulfill emergency requirements without needing separate chemical generators or additional oxygen storage tanks, thereby reducing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the typically wasted oxygen-enriched air stream from the air separation unit into a valuable emergency oxygen resource. By repurposing this stream that would otherwise be discarded, the system eliminates the need for complex chemical oxygen generators while maintaining emergency supply capability.
3Productivity
If oxygen enriched air from air separator is reused in ECS or emergency oxygen system, then oxygen supply efficiency improves, but system integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air separation unit is designed to provide oxygen-enriched air to multiple systems simultaneously - both the Environmental Control System for cabin pressurization and the emergency oxygen system. This universal output approach simplifies integration by using a single source for multiple purposes rather than requiring separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the primary oxygen supply function (ECS) and emergency oxygen supply function into a single integrated system using one air separation unit. By combining these functions and sharing the oxygen-enriched air stream, the overall system complexity is reduced compared to having separate independent systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the efficiency of oxygen supply systems by providing an unlimited oxygen supply during emergencies, reducing the weight and cost of traditional emergency oxygen systems, and improving air quality within the aircraft by enriching the oxygen content in the cabin.
Implementation Method 1
an air separator configured to receive a pressurized air stream, to separate the pressurized air stream into oxygen enriched air and an inert gas
Data Source
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Figure 3~4A
AI summary
Aircrafts and methods for reusing oxygen enriched air. In one example, an aircraft includes an oxygen supply subsystem configured to supply oxygen to a cabin of the aircraft, and an air separator configured to receive a pressurized air stream, to separate the pressurized air stream into oxygen enriched air and an inert gas, and to feed the oxygen enriched air to the oxygen supply subsystem.