Aircraft Galley Air Return Plenum for Reduced-Depth Cart Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft galley systems for cooling food carts have a large footprint and inefficient air return paths, which hinder the integration of standard-sized carts in reduced-depth galleys and pose risks of cart impact during operation.
Innovation Solution
A chilled air plenum system with a reduced depth of 35.9 to 36.6 inches, integrating ductwork into the galley back wall, featuring a return air duct with centrally mounted and lateral resilient back stops to prevent cart impact, and apertures for efficient airflow around the cart.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a standard size cart is used in a traditional galley configuration, then the cart can accommodate full-size food service equipment, but the galley depth increases to accommodate the cart and air circulation space
Solution Approach 1:
The air return plenum extends around the lateral sides and rear of the cart, utilizing three-dimensional space efficiently. The resilient back stops project into the cart's path of travel, allowing the cart to be positioned deeper in the galley than traditional configurations while maintaining proper air circulation pathways through the plenum structure.
2Productivity
If the air return plenum is positioned to allow efficient air circulation around the cart, then cooling effectiveness improves, but the risk of cart impact with the rear of the galley increases
Solution Approach 1:
Resilient back stops are installed on the air return plenum, projecting into the cart's path of travel. These back stops act as cushioning elements that prevent the cart from impacting the rear of the galley, allowing the plenum to be positioned optimally for air circulation while protecting against harmful impacts.
3Productivity
If the galley cooling system is designed with traditional air return pathways, then air circulation is adequate, but the system footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air return plenum is integrated into the galley back wall structure, with the plenum cavity nested within the existing galley framework. The resilient back stops are mounted on the plenum, utilizing the same space for multiple functions (air return and impact protection), thereby reducing the overall system footprint while maintaining adequate air circulation.
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
Enables efficient air circulation and reduced footprint for standard-sized carts, preventing impact and optimizing air return paths, thus enhancing the operational efficiency and safety of aircraft galley systems.
Implementation Method 1
The return airflow duct includes resilient back stops to prevent the cart from impacting the rear of the galley
Implementation Method 2
These food carts are commonly interfaced with cold air supply systems in the galley designed to cool the interiors of the food carts
Implementation Method 3
cool air is discharged from the galley cooling system and circulates over or through galley food carts in a galley cabinet to return to the galley cooling system to again be cooled and discharged
Data Source
AI summary
A chilled air plenum system for aircraft galleys adapted to be connected to a food cart bay for a food cart includes an air return plenum having a return airflow duct with a plurality of midline primary apertures and a plurality of secondary lateral side edge apertures for receiving return airflow from the food cart. The return airflow duct also includes a central lower resilient back stop and lateral side edge resilient back stops to prevent a cart from impacting the rear of the food cart bay. The return air plenum cab be at least partially integrated into a galley back wall structure.