Aircraft Galley Cooling Manifold System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current galley cooling systems in aircraft face inefficiencies in utilizing available space and energy, particularly in air-through systems where trolleys require insulation and sealing to prevent cooling energy loss, and there is a need for a system that effectively cools items like food while optimizing installation space.
Innovation Solution
A galley cooling system with a trolley compartment and a cooling unit that uses a cooling fluid, where the cooling unit can be internal or external, and a manifold system that directs cooled and heated fluid efficiently through the compartment, eliminating the need for back wall installation space and allowing for compact and efficient cooling of multiple trolleys.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If air-through system is used with insulated trolleys, then cooling energy loss is prevented, but device complexity and installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling fluid supply unit and manifold system are extracted from the trolley structure itself and placed in the galley compartment. This allows the trolleys to remain simple open structures without insulation or sealing requirements, while the cooling fluid is delivered directly to the items through a separate manifold infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
A cooling fluid manifold acts as an intermediary system between the cooling source and the items to be cooled. The manifold distributes cooling fluid through its own network of pipes and channels, eliminating the need for each trolley to have built-in cooling infrastructure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cooling unit is placed outside trolley compartment, then installation flexibility is improved, but cooling energy loss occurs during fluid transport
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling fluid is pre-cooled in an external cooling unit before being transported to the trolley compartment. The manifold system is designed with insulated channels and optimized flow paths to minimize energy loss during transport, and the system can be installed in various locations throughout the galley compartment.
3Area of stationary object
If back wall space is used for installation, then available installation space is maximized, but space for cooling fluid circulation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold system transitions from a two-dimensional wall-mounted arrangement to a three-dimensional circulation network that utilizes the volume of the trolley compartment. Cooling fluid channels are distributed throughout the compartment space, allowing efficient cooling while preserving back wall area for other installations.
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 effectively cools trolleys by reusing cooling fluid, minimizing energy loss, and optimizing space usage, making it suitable for high-capacity aircraft catering needs without noise and with efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling unit (12) which is adapted to provide a cooling fluid (100)... effectively cools trolleys by reusing cooling fluid
Implementation Method 2
a first cooling fluid manifold (32) which is connected to the cooling fluid outlet (16) of the cooling unit (12)... a second cooling fluid manifold (42) which is connected to the cooling fluid inlet (14) of the cooling unit (12)
Data Source
AI summary
A galley cooling system for an aircraft includes a trolley compartment which includes a cooling unit. A first cooling fluid manifold connects to a cooling fluid outlet or a cooling fluid inlet and has a first cooling fluid manifold wall defining a portion of a lateral boundary of a receiving space of the trolley compartment. A first cooling fluid opening is in the first cooling fluid manifold wall connecting the first cooling fluid manifold to the receiving space of the trolley compartment. A second cooling fluid manifold connected to the cooling fluid inlet or outlet of the cooling unit has a second cooling fluid manifold wall defining a portion of an upper boundary of the receiving space of the trolley compartment, a second cooling fluid opening in the second cooling fluid manifold wall to connect the second cooling fluid manifold to the receiving space of the trolley compartment.