Vertical Aircraft Air Chiller Layout for Reduced Galley Footprint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft chiller systems are bulky, heavy, and inefficient in terms of space usage and heat transfer, posing challenges in aircraft galleys where space and weight are critical, and require improvements in condensation management.
Innovation Solution
A compact, vertically oriented liquid-cooled refrigerant vapor compression cycle chiller unit with axial fans, eliminating the need for air ducting and utilizing quick disconnect valves for condenser cooling, allowing for reduced footprint and weight, and improved heat transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional air chiller systems are used, then cooling function is provided, but the chiller occupies large galley space and adds significant weight
Solution Approach 1:
The chiller is reconfigured from a horizontal layout to a vertical orientation, utilizing the height dimension of the galley space. The condenser is positioned at the top, refrigerant flow moves vertically through the evaporator, and the air handling section is at the bottom, effectively using vertical space to reduce horizontal footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigerant flow path is nested within the vertical structure, with the evaporator coils integrated into the vertical housing. The axial fans are positioned to draw air through the evaporator section, nesting the air handling function within the same vertical envelope as the refrigeration cycle components.
2Temperature
If conventional air chiller systems are used, then cooling function is provided, but the chiller adds significant weight
Solution Approach 1:
The air ducting system is completely removed from the design. Instead of using ducts to deliver chilled air to storage compartments, the system relies on natural convection and the positioning of the chiller unit to allow chilled air to reach the required areas without mechanical ductwork, eliminating the weight of the ducting structure.
3Temperature
If conventional chiller systems are used, then cooling is provided, but heat transfer efficiency needs improvement
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator section is designed with optimized local heat transfer characteristics, using finned tube construction with specific fin geometry and spacing to maximize heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air passing through the axial fans. The condenser is similarly optimized with enhanced surface area and heat transfer surfaces.
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 significant space savings, reduced weight, efficient chilled air distribution, and simplified maintenance by eliminating the need for air ducting and enabling the chiller to fit in smaller compartments while maintaining effective temperature control for beverage and meal carts.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid cooled condenser
Implementation Method 2
condenser cooling liquid inlet and the outlet
Implementation Method 3
an evaporator
Implementation Method 4
A plurality of axial fans along an upper surface draw air into the unit
Implementation Method 5
refrigerant vapor compression and expansion technology
Data Source
AI summary
An improved aircraft air chiller unit particularly suited for an aircraft galley that requires refrigerated or cooled beverage/meal carts and/or chilled storage compartments. The chiller of the present invention takes the form of a line replaceable unit (“LRU”) and incorporates a liquid-cooled refrigerant vapor compression cycle, arranged in a housing with a vertical orientation. Because of the vertical orientation, ducting on the rear surface of the chiller is omitted, reducing the overall footprint.