Aircraft Galley Cooling Control for Compartment Loss Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing galley monument cooling systems in aircraft or similar setups face inefficiencies due to temperature losses, often caused by open doors or maintenance issues, which degrade the overall cooling capacity across multiple galley monuments.

Innovation Solution

A galley cooling system with temperature sensors and a control unit that monitors temperature changes and adjusts the cooling capacity by bypassing the heat exchanger of inefficient units, ensuring efficient distribution of cooling resources across all monuments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single cooling system cools multiple galley monuments, then the system structure is simplified and cost is reduced, but cooling efficiency deteriorates when one monument experiences temperature loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling system structureVSAvoidcooling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single cooling system into multiple independent control zones, each galley monument being monitored and controlled separately. Temperature sensors and controls are segmented at each monument level, allowing independent adjustment of cooling capacity to each zone while maintaining a unified physical system structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic control where cooling capacity to each galley monument is continuously adjusted based on real-time temperature monitoring. When temperature loss is detected at one monument, the system dynamically reallocates cooling capacity away from that monument to maintain overall system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If cooling capacity is maintained at all galley monuments, then cooling reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases when some monuments are not needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs feedback control through temperature sensors at each galley monument that continuously monitor cooling needs. This feedback enables the control system to adjust cooling capacity dynamically, maintaining reliability by providing cooling only where and when it is needed, thereby reducing unnecessary energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (cooling capacity allocation) based on actual conditions at each monument. When temperature loss is detected or cooling is not needed, the cooling capacity parameter is adjusted downward for that specific monument, optimizing the balance between reliability and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If cooling capacity is reduced to inefficient galley units, then energy efficiency is improved, but cooling reliability may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidcooling reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts or removes cooling capacity from galley monuments that are experiencing temperature loss or do not require cooling. This extracted cooling capacity is then reallocated to other monuments that have actual cooling needs, improving energy efficiency while maintaining overall system reliability through intelligent redistribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 effectively identifies and mitigates cooling losses by reallocating cooling capacity, maintaining efficient operation across all galley monuments and optimizing energy use.

Implementation Method 1

A control determines whether a sensed condition is indicative of efficient operation of a particular galley cooling unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Implementation Method 2

the control is operable to decrease cooling capacity delivered to a galley cooling unit which is experiencing inefficient operation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow control:

Data Source

PatentUS8171745B2Compartment cooling loss identification for efficient system operation

Publication Date: 2012.05.08 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP

AI summary

A galley cooling system comprises a plurality of galley cooling units each to be associated with separate galleys. A sensor senses a condition within each of the galleys. A control determines whether a sensed condition is indicative of efficient operation of a particular galley cooling unit, and the control is operable to decrease cooling capacity delivered to a galley cooling unit which is experiencing inefficient operation. An aircraft galley system incorporating the above cooling unit, and a method of operating a galley cooling unit are also disclosed and claimed.