Aircraft Cabin Nozzle With Angled Dividers For Draft Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional nozzles in aircraft cabins provide two-dimensional airflow, leading to issues such as high airflow drafts, temperature stratification, and low airflow velocity, resulting in reduced passenger and flight-attendant comfort.
Innovation Solution
An elongated nozzle design featuring sets of channels with opposed dividers and side-walls oriented at varying angles to create three-dimensional, diffused, and distributed airflow, ensuring airflow is distributed in multiple directions to eliminate drafts and stratification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional two-dimensional airflow nozzles are used, then the nozzle structure is simple, but the airflow cannot be diffused rapidly leading to high airflow drafts and temperature stratification
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is divided into multiple channel groups with different orientations. Each channel group contains channels oriented at specific angles (e.g., ±45°, ±15°) relative to the longitudinal axis. This segmentation allows airflow to be distributed in multiple directions simultaneously, achieving rapid three-dimensional diffusion while maintaining a relatively simple overall nozzle structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from two-dimensional airflow distribution to three-dimensional airflow distribution by introducing channels oriented at various angles in multiple planes. This dimensional expansion enables airflow to diffuse rapidly in vertical, horizontal, and diagonal directions simultaneously, solving the problem of slow diffusion in conventional nozzles.
2Temperature
If conventional two-dimensional airflow nozzles are used, then the nozzle design is straightforward, but temperature stratification occurs across the cabin
Solution Approach 1:
Different channel groups are assigned different orientations to address local temperature distribution needs. Channels oriented at ±45° provide strong diagonal airflow for rapid mixing, while channels at ±15° provide more direct airflow. This local differentiation of channel orientations ensures uniform temperature distribution across different regions of the cabin.
Solution Approach 2:
By adding vertical and diagonal airflow components through multi-oriented channels, the system achieves three-dimensional temperature homogenization. This prevents temperature stratification by ensuring airflow reaches all vertical and horizontal levels of the cabin, not just a single plane.
3Speed
If conventional two-dimensional airflow nozzles are used, then the airflow path is direct, but airflow velocity in the aisles is low reducing flight-attendant comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle channels are segmented into different orientation groups, with specific channels directed toward aisle regions. This segmentation ensures that high-velocity airflow is channeled directly into the aisles, improving airflow velocity in these critical areas without requiring complex external ducting systems.
Solution Approach 2:
By introducing diagonally oriented channels (±45°), the system creates airflow paths that naturally direct high-velocity air into the aisle spaces. This three-dimensional channeling approach increases airflow velocity in the aisles compared to conventional two-dimensional nozzles that only provide horizontal airflow.
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 nozzle design provides improved thermal comfort by diffusing airflow rapidly, reducing temperature stratification, and enhancing air mixing, resulting in uniform cabin temperatures and improved ventilation.
Implementation Method 1
At least one of the spaced-apart opposed dividers of each set may be oriented at a first angle which is non-parallel to an imaginary vertical plane extending along the elongated length of the nozzle. Within each set, the spaced-apart channel side-walls of each group of channels may be oriented at different second angles
Implementation Method 2
The nozzle design provides improved thermal comfort by diffusing airflow rapidly, reducing temperature stratification, and enhancing air mixing, resulting in uniform cabin temperatures and improved ventilation
Data Source
AI summary
An elongated nozzle for distributing airflow in varying directions may include at least one set of channels. Each set may include a plurality of groups of channels. Each set may further include spaced-apart opposed dividers extending lengthwise along an elongated length of the nozzle, and spaced-apart channel side-walls extending between the spaced-apart opposed dividers. The opposed dividers and the spaced-apart channel side-walls may form the channels of each set. At least one of the spaced-apart opposed dividers of each set may be oriented at a first angle which is non-parallel to an imaginary vertical plane extending along the elongated length of the nozzle. Within each set, the spaced-apart channel side-walls of each group of channels may be oriented at different second angles, relative to an imaginary vertical plane extending along a width of the nozzle, than the spaced-apart channel side-walls of other groups of channels.