Passenger Boarding Bridge HVAC Layout With Flexible Coil Piping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air-conditioning and heating systems for passenger boarding bridges are inefficient in maintaining consistent temperature within the tunnel, especially when the bridge is rotated or shortened, leading to passenger discomfort and high energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A tunnel air-conditioning and heating apparatus with a condenser at the rotunda and an evaporator on the movable tunnel, connected by flexible coils, allowing for flexible installation and operation to match the bridge's movements, along with an extended tunnel system and a flight information-based control system to optimize energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a packaged air-conditioning and heating apparatus for a general building is installed at a fixed tunnel, then the apparatus can provide air-conditioning and heating function, but the air cannot be evenly distributed throughout the tunnel and the system cannot adapt to bridge movements
Solution Approach 1:
The air-conditioning and heating apparatus is installed on the movable passenger boarding bridge rather than being fixed, allowing it to move together with the bridge. The connection pipes between the apparatus and the tunnel are made flexible to accommodate the bridge's rotational and translational movements, enabling the system to adapt dynamically to changing positions while maintaining proper air distribution throughout the tunnel.
2Ease of manufacture
If the air-conditioning and heating apparatus is installed at the upper part of the outer tunnel on the airplane side, then installation space is available, but when the bridge is minimized the diffuser is covered by the inner tunnel and air cannot be introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The air-conditioning and heating apparatus is installed within the inner tunnel space rather than on the outer tunnel, utilizing the nested structure of the movable bridge where the inner tunnel is housed within the outer tunnel. This positioning ensures that the diffuser remains accessible and functional regardless of the bridge's extended or minimized state, as the inner tunnel maintains its structural integrity during movement.
3Productivity
If the air-conditioning and heating apparatus is installed at the rotunda with ducts extending to the inner tunnel, then cooled and heated air can be transferred, but the duct installation is limited to inside the inner tunnel only
Solution Approach 1:
The connection pipes between the air-conditioning and heating apparatus at the rotunda and the evaporator on the movable bridge are made flexible rather than rigid ducts. This flexibility allows the pipes to accommodate the bridge's rotational and translational movements while maintaining sealed connections, enabling efficient air transfer without the constraints of rigid duct installation that would limit the system's operational range.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the movable passenger boarding bridge is rotated around the rotunda, then the bridge can serve different gates, but the connection pipes may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The connection pipes are designed with flexible characteristics that allow them to dynamically accommodate the rotational movements of the bridge around the rotunda. The flexibility enables the pipes to bend and extend as needed during rotation without experiencing excessive stress or damage, maintaining reliable connections throughout the bridge's operational range while enabling gate switching capability.
5Length of moving object
If the inner tunnel is moved into the outer tunnel to minimize length, then the bridge length is reduced, but there is no sufficient space for installing air-conditioning and heating apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The air-conditioning and heating apparatus is installed within the inner tunnel space, utilizing the nested configuration where the inner tunnel is housed within the outer tunnel. This positioning allows the apparatus to be accommodated within the bridge structure itself, maintaining installation space availability even when the bridge is minimized and the inner tunnel is retracted into the outer tunnel, as the apparatus moves with the inner tunnel.
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
Ensures efficient and consistent air-conditioning and heating across the tunnel, minimizing energy consumption by operating only when necessary and accommodating the bridge's movements without damaging pipes, thus enhancing passenger comfort and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a condenser connection pipe configured to connect the condenser with the evaporator and a compressor connection pipe configured to the compressor with the evaporator each of which is formed into a flexible coil
Implementation Method 2
an evaporator provided at a movable tunnel and connected to each of the condenser and the compressor
Implementation Method 3
a condenser provided at a rotunda
Implementation Method 4
a condenser provided at a rotunda
Implementation Method 5
a compressor provided at the rotunda and connected to the condenser
Data Source
AI summary
A tunnel air-conditioning and heating apparatus is provided. the tunnel air-conditioning and heating apparatus may include a condenser provided at a rotunda; a compressor provided at the rotunda and connected to the condenser; an evaporator provided at a movable tunnel and connected to each of the condenser and the compressor; and a condenser connection pipe configured to connect the condenser with the evaporator and a compressor connection pipe configured to the compressor with the evaporator each of which is formed into a flexible coil.