Oxygen Generator Outlet Manifold Cooling for Compact PSU Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Chemical oxygen generators in aircraft produce heat during oxygen production, leading to increased temperatures in compact spaces, which can damage thermoplastic oxygen mask hoses and limit installation proximity to PSU housing walls, posing safety risks.
Innovation Solution
The design of an oxygen generator outlet manifold with increased internal flow passage areas and the addition of cooling fins to slow oxygen flow velocity and enhance heat dissipation, allowing for a more compact and safer installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the space for oxygen generator installation is decreased to increase passenger capacity, then the number of passengers per aircraft is improved, but the temperature of the chemical oxygen generator and manifold rises, causing safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds cooling fins to the manifold structure, extending the heat dissipation surface into the surrounding space. This dimensional extension allows heat to be dissipated more effectively without increasing the footprint of the oxygen generator assembly, thus maintaining compact installation space while reducing manifold temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling fins act as an intermediary thermal management component between the heat-generating chemical oxygen generator and the surrounding environment. They facilitate heat transfer from the manifold to the ambient air, enabling the system to operate safely in compact spaces by mediating the thermal interaction.
2Device complexity
If the manifold temperature is not controlled, then the chemical oxygen generator can operate without additional cooling components, but the thermoplastic oxygen mask hoses will degrade outside the specified temperature range
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling fins serve as a passive thermal intermediary that protects the thermoplastic hoses from excessive temperatures without requiring active cooling systems or complex temperature control mechanisms. The fins naturally dissipate heat through convection and radiation, maintaining hose temperatures within safe operational ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling fins provide self-regulating passive cooling to the manifold and connected hoses. As the manifold temperature rises, heat transfer to the cooling fins increases automatically, creating a self-regulating thermal management system that protects hoses without external control.
3Device complexity
If the manifold is designed only for oxygen flow distribution without heat transfer capability, then the manifold structure remains simple, but the temperature of connected components rises to dangerous levels
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold is designed to perform dual functions: oxygen flow distribution and heat dissipation. The integration of cooling fins transforms the single-function flow distribution manifold into a multi-functional component that simultaneously manages both gas flow and thermal energy, eliminating the need for separate cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling function is merged directly into the manifold structure through attached cooling fins. This combination integrates thermal management capabilities into the existing flow distribution architecture, creating a unified component that handles both oxygen delivery and heat dissipation without requiring separate systems.
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 effectively reduces the manifold temperature, enabling safe attachment of oxygen mask hoses and allowing for more compact equipment designs, thereby increasing cabin space while ensuring safe operation.
Implementation Method 1
The main body portion includes a plurality of cooling fins extending therefrom
Implementation Method 2
The design of an oxygen generator outlet manifold with increased internal flow passage areas and the addition of cooling fins to slow oxygen flow velocity and enhance heat dissipation
Implementation Method 3
increased internal flow passage areas and the addition of cooling fins to slow oxygen flow velocity and enhance heat dissipation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An oxygen generator outlet manifold (10) assembly that includes an outlet manifold (10) and an end cover (18). The outlet manifold (10) includes a main body portion (12) with inner (12b) and outer (12a) surfaces and at least a first hose connector (16) that includes an outlet (26) defined therein extending from the main body portion (12). The main body portion (12) defines a main body portion interior (24) that includes a connection opening (22) defined in the inner surface (12b), a ring chamber (30), a flow space (50) and a distribution chamber (32). An annular ring (31) is positioned in the main body portion (12) chamber interior (24) and separates the ring chamber (30) from the distribution chamber (32). The end cover (18) includes a generator outlet portion (36) extending therefrom that is received in the connection opening (22). The generator outlet portion (36) includes an outlet valve (38) having an open and a closed state and includes an interior chamber (37) that cooperates with the ring chamber (30) to define an outlet chamber (39). An oxygen flow path is defined through the open valve (38), to the outlet chamber (39), through the flow space (50), through the distribution chamber (32) and to the outlet of the first hose connector (16).