Aircraft Zone Cooling via External Air Assembly Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft cooling systems lack communication between aircraft-side components and external air assemblies, leading to risks of icing and inefficient cooling capacity management when using external low-temperature air sources, resulting in increased costs and weight due to enhanced component design and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a mixing chamber, recirculated-air conveying device, and a detection system with sensors to monitor and control the operation of the aircraft-external air-generating assembly based on aircraft-side air-distribution system parameters, allowing for safe and energy-efficient cooling by adjusting air temperature and flow according to detected conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an aircraft-external low-pressure air-generating assembly is used to provide cooling air with very low temperature (below 0°C), then cooling capacity is improved, but the risk of icing in the air-distribution system increases
Solution Approach 1:
A control unit receives signals from detection devices (temperature and pressure sensors) monitoring the air-distribution system and automatically adjusts the operation of the external air-generating assembly. When sensors detect conditions indicating icing risk (low temperature and pressure drops), the control unit modulates the cooling air supply to prevent icing, creating a closed-loop feedback system that dynamically responds to system conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operating parameters (temperature and mass flow of cooling air) based on detected conditions. The control unit adjusts these parameters in real-time to maintain optimal cooling while avoiding icing conditions, transforming the static parameter approach into a dynamic adaptation strategy.
2Reliability
If communication and control systems are added between aircraft-side components and external air assembly, then icing risks are reduced and cooling is optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where detection devices monitor system conditions and transmit signals to a control unit, which automatically adjusts the external air-generating assembly operation. This feedback mechanism improves reliability by preventing icing through automatic response to detected conditions, while keeping the added complexity manageable through standardized sensor and control unit integration.
3Productivity
If external low-pressure air-generating assembly operates without controlled communication, then energy consumption is reduced, but cooling capacity optimization is lost leading to increased energy use
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit uses feedback from temperature and pressure sensors to dynamically optimize the operation of the external air-generating assembly. By continuously monitoring system conditions and adjusting cooling air supply accordingly, the system achieves optimal cooling capacity while minimizing energy consumption, avoiding both under-cooling and excessive cooling scenarios.
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
The system prevents icing and optimizes cooling capacity by dynamically controlling the external air-generating assembly, reducing energy consumption and eliminating the need for costly, heavy anti-icing measures, while ensuring safe operation during ground aircraft maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a detection device for detecting a parameter indicating an operating state in the aircraft-side air-distribution system and/or in the mixing chamber
Implementation Method 2
The control unit is set up to control the operation of the aircraft-external air-generating assembly in dependence on the signals which the control unit receives from the detection device
Implementation Method 3
the control unit is set up to control the operation of the aircraft-external air-generating assembly in dependence on the signals which the control unit receives from the detection device for detecting a parameter indicating the operating state
Implementation Method 4
control the mass flow and/or the temperature of the air made available by the aircraft-external air-generating assembly
Implementation Method 5
a mixing chamber (18) which is connected to an air-conditioning assembly (12a, 12b) for making cool air available and/or to a recirculated-air conveying device (20a, 20b) for supplying recirculated air into the mixing chamber (18)
Implementation Method 6
a recirculated-air conveying device (20a, 20b) for supplying recirculated air into the mixing chamber (18)
Data Source
AI summary
A system for cooling an aircraft zone includes a mixing chamber which is connected to an air-conditioning assembly for making cool air available and/or to a recirculated-air conveying device for supplying recirculated air into the mixing chamber. The system further includes an aircraft-side air-distribution system which includes at least one line connecting the mixing chamber to the aircraft zone to be cooled and also at least one line that is connectable to an aircraft-external air-generating assembly in order to route air made available by the aircraft-external air-generating assembly into the aircraft-side air-distribution system.