Passenger air shield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air curtain systems for aircraft face challenges such as invasive installation, high power consumption, and insufficient protection against pathogens, making them ineffective in reducing the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19 among passengers.
Innovation Solution
The development of vent adapters that transform air flows from passenger air conditioning systems into directed air curtains using blade nozzles, which are designed to concentrate air flows into planar, high-velocity streams, reducing the distance and time pathogens remain airborne without directly blowing air at passengers, thus enhancing protection and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If physical barriers are placed between passengers, then pathogen spread is reduced, but passenger comfort deteriorates and walkways are impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pneumatic principles by generating air curtains through controlled air flow between passengers. The system employs air nozzles to create high-velocity air streams that form invisible barriers, replacing physical partitions with pneumatic fields to reduce pathogen transmission while maintaining passenger comfort and mobility.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If existing air curtain systems are installed, then pathogen protection is provided, but installation becomes invasive and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by integrating air curtain functionality into existing aircraft overhead panels and air distribution systems. The system uses existing air conditioning infrastructure and electrical outlets, allowing the same hardware to serve both climate control and pathogen protection functions without requiring separate dedicated systems or invasive modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-service principles by utilizing the aircraft's existing air conditioning system to provide the air flow needed for pathogen protection. The overhead panels and air distribution networks that already serve climate control purposes are repurposed to generate air curtains, eliminating the need for separate power sources or complex installation infrastructure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If high-velocity air streams are used, then pathogen transmission is reduced, but passenger comfort may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by directing high-velocity air streams specifically at the air interface between passengers rather than broadly across the cabin. The air nozzles are positioned to create focused air curtains only where pathogen transmission risk exists, while maintaining comfortable ambient air flow conditions in passenger seating areas through the existing air distribution system.
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 provides effective, power-efficient air curtains that reduce the transmission of bacteria and viruses between passengers while maintaining passenger comfort and ease of installation, without compromising existing aircraft features.
Implementation Method 1
blade nozzles, which are designed to concentrate air flows into planar, high-velocity streams
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are directed toward an air directing device that can interface with an aircraft to form an air curtain. The air directing device can include a housing with one or more inlets and one or more outlets. An engagement component can engage the air directing device with a PSU of an aircraft. The air directing device can receive air from the PSU through the inlet and direct the air to the outlets. The outlets can include nozzles that output the air curtain.