Liquid chilled galley bar unit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft galley cooling devices rely on environmentally unfriendly gases or liquids and are complex, making maintenance and upgrades difficult due to stringent airworthiness certification requirements.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state liquid-chilled bar unit with a multilevel frame housing vertically stacked compartments, each containing a line replaceable unit (LRU) equipped with liquid thermoelectric devices (LTDs) and liquid heat exchangers, reducing size, cost, and complexity, and allowing for easier maintenance and customization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vapor-cycle or chilled-liquid technology is used in aircraft galley cooling devices, then cooling function is achieved, but device complexity and maintenance difficulty increase due to stringent airworthiness certification requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex vapor-cycle mechanical systems with solid-state thermoelectric devices that use electrical current to generate cooling effects directly through the Peltier effect, eliminating compressors, condensers, and expansion devices while maintaining reliable cooling function
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operating parameters from gas-phase vapor cycles to liquid-phase thermoelectric conversion, using electrically conductive liquids and solid-state devices to achieve cooling with simpler certification requirements
2Reliability
If vapor-cycle or chilled-liquid technology is used in aircraft galley cooling devices, then cooling function is achieved, but maintenance and replacement become difficult due to stringent airworthiness certification requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cooling system into modular line-replaceable units (LRUs) that can be independently maintained and replaced, with each module containing its own thermoelectric devices and liquid reservoirs, simplifying maintenance procedures while ensuring reliable cooling
Solution Approach 2:
Replacing mechanical vapor-cycle systems with solid-state thermoelectric devices eliminates moving parts that require maintenance, making the system easier to service while maintaining cooling reliability
3Reliability
If environmentally unfriendly gases or liquids are used as coolant media, then cooling function is achieved, but environmental harm increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the coolant medium from environmentally harmful gases to electrically conductive liquids such as saltwater or brine solutions, which are environmentally friendly while still enabling effective heat transfer and thermoelectric cooling
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potential harm of coolant leakage by using benign conductive liquids instead of refrigerant gases, turning a potential environmental risk into an environmentally safe operation while maintaining cooling effectiveness
4Reliability
If traditional galley cooling devices are used, then cooling function is provided, but size and cost increase due to complex systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky mechanical compression systems with compact solid-state thermoelectric devices, dramatically reducing the volume required for each cooling module while maintaining reliable cooling function
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the cooling system into compact modular LRUs, the overall device volume is reduced while allowing flexible configuration to meet specific cooling requirements
5Reliability
If traditional galley cooling devices are used, then cooling function is provided, but upgradeability and technology evolution are hampered by stringent airworthiness certification requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The modular LRU architecture allows individual modules to be upgraded or replaced independently, enabling technology evolution while maintaining certification compliance for the overall system
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized modular design with universal mounting and electrical interfaces allows different thermoelectric device configurations to be used in the same platform, enhancing adaptability while maintaining reliable cooling function
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 solution significantly reduces the size, cost, and complexity of galley bar units, improves maintenance efficiency, and eliminates the need for environmentally unfriendly fluids, while allowing for easier replacement and customization.
Implementation Method 1
a semi-enclosed liquid thermoelectric device (LTD) having a 'hot' side and a 'cold' side separated by a thermoelectric module
Implementation Method 2
A liquid heat exchanger (LHE) is connected to the 'cold' side and a finned liquid/air heat exchanger to the 'hot' side. The LHE may draw heat from returning liquid coolant to heat the 'cold' side of the LTD
Implementation Method 3
A finned liquid/air heat exchanger to the 'hot' side... by circulating air over the finned heat exchanger (which draws heat from the 'hot' side of the LTD)
Implementation Method 4
The warming drawer includes a scroll fan for heating the interior of the warming drawer (and any food, liquids, or supplies placed therein) by circulating air over the finned heat exchanger
Implementation Method 5
The LHE is supplied with freshly chilled liquid coolant to chill the 'hot' side, further chilling the 'cold' side of the LTD and the finned liquid/air heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A solid state liquid-chilled bar unit for an aircraft galley includes a multilevel frame dimensioned to fit the galley and including stacked slots, each slot configured to fit a compartment. Warmer compartments include a liquid thermoelectric device (LTD) with “cold” and “hot” sides and a liquid heat exchanger (LHE) connected to the cold side. Scroll fans circulate air over a finned heat exchanger (on the LTD's hot side) to heat the compartment. Chiller compartments include LTDs with an LHE connected to the “hot” side, and may be bottle coolers or chiller drawers. Bottle coolers chill bottles or other containers via conductive contact with the LTD “cold” side, while chiller drawers chill air by circulating it over a finned heat exchanger on the “cold” side. Unchilled drawers store food, drink, or supplies at or near the ambient cabin temperature.