Aircraft Cargo Recirculation Air Conditioning System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current environmental control systems in aircraft are inefficient in controlling air temperatures in cargo compartments, leading to increased fuel consumption and weight, as they rely on passive heat removal and outside air introduction, which is not energy-efficient.
Innovation Solution
A cargo compartment recirculation system with an air moving device, air heating, and air cooling devices, coupled with a temperature control system that adjusts heating and cooling based on sensed compartment temperatures to maintain a predetermined temperature, reducing outside air requirements and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If outside air is continuously introduced into the cargo compartment to remove heat, then heat removal is achieved, but fuel consumption and system weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers cold air from the cargo compartment that would otherwise be discarded, cools it further using an air cycle machine, and recirculates it back into the compartment. This recirculation approach replaces the need to continuously introduce cold outside air, thereby reducing fuel consumption associated with operating the air cycle machine at full capacity and reducing the weight of the air conditioning system.
2Temperature
If outside air is introduced into the cargo compartment to remove heat, then heat removal is achieved, but the air conditioning system weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers cold air from the cargo compartment that would otherwise be discarded, cools it further using an air cycle machine, and recirculates it back into the compartment. This recirculation approach replaces the need to continuously introduce cold outside air, thereby reducing fuel consumption associated with operating the air cycle machine at full capacity and reducing the weight of the air conditioning system.
3Use of energy by moving object
If recirculated air is used to cool the cargo compartment, then fuel consumption is reduced, but temperature control precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates temperature sensors positioned within the cargo compartment that continuously monitor air temperature and provide feedback to the flight deck. This feedback enables the flight deck to monitor and adjust the air conditioning system to maintain precise temperature control within the cargo compartment, even when using recirculated air.
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 system allows for precise temperature control in cargo compartments, reducing fuel consumption and weight, while minimizing outside air usage, thereby enhancing energy efficiency and operational performance.
Implementation Method 1
an air cycle machine fluidly coupled to the cargo compartment and the recirculation duct and configured to cool the air volume
Implementation Method 2
Alternately, air within the compartment may be moved through one or more electrical resistance heaters to provide additional heat to the cargo compartment
Implementation Method 3
The air temperature within the flight deck and the passenger compartment are generally closely regulated to achieve a desired comfort level to the flight crew and the passengers. Accordingly, the flight deck and the passenger compartment generally include various temperature sensing devices
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention comprises systems and methods for providing conditioned air to a selected portion of an aircraft cabin. In one embodiment, a system includes a cargo compartment air recirculation system fluidly coupled to the cargo compartment (24) and having an air moving device (32) to extract air from the compartment and to transport the air to an air heating device (46) and an air cooling device (48) fluidly coupled to the cargo compartment. Air may be supplied from an air source. Extracted air maybe discharged overboard. A temperature control system (40) is operably coupled to the air heating device and the air cooling device, the control system being configured to maintain a predetermined air temperature within the compartment in response to a sensed compartment temperature .