IP Library Granted Patent US 6,935,593
Granted Patent B2
US 6,935,593 · App. 10/365,898 · Granted Aug 30, 2005

Gas distribution system in an airplane

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,935,593
App. No.
10/365,898
Granted
Aug 30, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

A gas distribution system in an airplane has improved reliability of operation with a first supply line ( 7 ) and a second supply line ( 9 ) for pressurized gas connected to a pressurized gas source ( 2 ) via a branching site ( 6 ) with a second shut-off valve ( 10 ). The pressure in the supply lines ( 7, 9 ) is determined with a pressure-measuring means ( 24 ). An evaluating device ( 24 ) for the measured pressure signal is provided for sending a closing signal to the shut-off valve ( 8, 10 ) of the supply line ( 7, 9 ) in which a pressure drop of consequence occurs.

Claims (66)

1. An airplane gas distribution system comprising:

a pressurized gas source;

a first supply line connected to a first set of passenger emergency oxygen supply means for supplying pressurized gas to passengers of the airplane;

a second supply line connected to a second set of passenger emergency oxygen supply means for supplying pressurized gas to passengers of the airplane;

a first shut-off valve;

a second shut-off valve;

a branching site arranged downstream of said pressurized gas source for said first supply line and for said second supply line, wherein said first supply line is connected via said first shut-off valve to said branching site and said second supply line is connected to said branching site via said second shut-off valve;

a pressure-measuring means detecting and determining the differential pressure between pressures prevailing in said first and second supply lines; and

an evaluating device for evaluating a measured pressure signal and for sending a closing signal to the shut-off valve of the supply line causing a pressure drop.

2. A gas distribution system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said evaluation device further comprises a means for analyzing an amplitude and a reading of positive or negative traits of said differential pressure.

3. A gas distribution system in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising a return line connected to said first and second supply lines through a set of nonreturn valves arranged such that only gas flow from said first and second supply lines into said return line is made possible.

4. A gas distribution system in accordance with claim 3 , wherein a third supply line is connected to said return line.

5. A gas distribution system comprising:

a pressurized gas source;

a first supply line for pressurized gas;

a second supply line for pressurized gas;

a first shut-off valve;

a second shut-off valve;

a branching site arranged downstream of said pressurized gas source for said first supply line and for said second supply line, wherein said first supply line is connected via said first shut-off valve to said branching site and said second supply line is connected to said branching site via said second shut-off valve;

a pressure-measuring means detecting and determining the differential pressure between pressures prevailing in the supply lines;

an evaluating device for evaluating a measured pressure signal and for sending a closing signal to the shut-off valve of the supply line causing a pressure drop; and

a pressure regulator and a pressure-limiting means, said pressure regulator being upstream of said pressure-limiting means, said pressure regulator being disposed between said branching site and said pressurized gas source.

6. A gas distribution system in accordance with claim 5 , wherein said pressure-limiting means comprises two lines connected in parallel each with two nonreturn valves arranged in the same direction in series.

7. A gas distribution system in accordance with claim 5 , further comprising another pressure regulator connected in parallel with said pressure regulator.

8. A gas distribution system comprising:

a pressurized gas source;

a first supply line for pressurized gas;

a second supply line for pressurized gas;

a first shut-off valve;

a second shut-off valve;

a branching site arranged downstream of said pressurized gas source for said first supply line and for said second supply line, wherein said first supply line is connected via said first shut-off valve to said branching site and said second supply line is connected to said branching site via said second shut-off valve;

a pressure-measuring means detecting and determining the differential pressure between pressures prevailing in the supply lines; and

an evaluating device for evaluating a measured pressure signal and for sending a closing signal to the shut-off valve of the supply line causing pressure drop, wherein said pressurized gas source has a shut-off device with a limit switch for the detection of the opening position of said shut-off device.

9. An airplane gas distribution system comprising:

a pressurized gas source;

a first supply line connected to a first set of passenger emergency oxygen supply masks for supplying pressurized gas to a set of passengers;

a second supply line connected to a second set of passenger emergency oxygen supply masks for supplying pressurized gas to the set of passengers;

a first shut-off valve;

a second shut-off valve;

a branching site arranged downstream of said pressurized gas source for said first supply line and for said second supply line, wherein said first supply line is connected via said first shut-off valve to said branching site and said second supply line is connected to said branching site via said second shut-off valve;

a pressure-measuring means detecting and determining the differential pressure between pressures prevailing in said first supply line and in said second supply line; and

an evaluating device for evaluating a signal based on the pressure prevailing in said first supply line and in said second supply line and for sending a closing signal to said shut-off valve of said first supply line should said second supply line have a diminished prevailing pressure.

10. A gas distribution system in accordance with claim 9 , wherein said evaluation device further comprises a means for analyzing an amplitude and a positive or negative traits of said differential pressure.

11. A gas distribution system in accordance with claim 9 , further comprising a return line connected to said first and second supply lines through nonreturn valves arranged such that only gas flow from said first and second supply lines into said return line is made possible.

12. A gas distribution system in accordance with claim 11 , wherein a third supply line is connected to said return line.

13. A gas distribution system comprising:

a pressurized gas source;

a first supply line for pressurized gas;

a second supply line for pressurized gas;

a first shut-off valve;

a second shut-off valve;

a branching site arranged downstream of said pressurized gas source for said first supply line and for said second supply line, wherein said first supply line is connected via said first shut-off valve to said branching site and said second supply line is connected to said branching site via said second shut-off valve;

a pressure-measuring means detecting and determining the differential pressure between pressures prevailing in said first supply line and in said second supply line; and

an evaluating device for evaluating a signal based on the pressure prevailing in said first supply line and in said second supply line and for sending a closing signal to the shut-off valve of said first supply line should said second supply line have a diminished prevailing pressure; and

a pressure regulator and a pressure-limiting means, said pressure regulator being upstream of said pressure-limiting means, said pressure regulator being disposed between said branching site and said pressurized gas source.

14. A gas distribution system in accordance with claim 13 , wherein said pressure-limiting means comprises two lines connected in parallel each with two nonreturn valves arranged in the same direction in series.

15. A gas distribution system in accordance with claim 13 , further comprising another pressure regulator connected in parallel with said pressure regulator.

16. A gas distribution system comprising:

a pressurized gas source;

a first supply line for pressurized gas;

a second supply line for pressurized gas;

a first shut-off valve;

a second shut-off valve;

a branching site arranged downstream of said pressurized gas source for said first supply line and for said second supply line, wherein said first supply line is connected via said first shut-off valve to said branching site and said second supply line is connected to said branching site via said second shut-off valve;

a pressure-measuring means detecting and determining the differential pressure between pressures prevailing in said first supply line and in said second supply line; and

an evaluating device for evaluating a signal based on the pressure prevailing in said first supply line and in said second supply line and for sending a closing signal to the shut-off valve of said first supply line should said second supply line have a diminished prevailing pressure, wherein said pressurized gas source has a shut-off device with a limit switch for the detection of the opening position of said shut-off device.

Assignments (7)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 25, 2019
From: JP MORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A
To: B/E AEROSPACE, INC.
Reel/Frame 049209/0619 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 10, 2015
From: B/E AEROSPACE, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 035176/0493 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 23, 2015
From: JP MORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: B/E AEROSPACE, INC.
Reel/Frame 034805/0718 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 13, 2010
From: DAE SYSTEMS GMBH
To: B/E AEROSPACE SYSTEMS GMBH
Reel/Frame 024973/0179 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 14, 2008
From: BE AEROSPACE, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 021393/0273 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 17, 2008
From: DRAEGER AEROSPACE GMBH
To: DAE SYSTEMS GMBH
Reel/Frame 020654/0399 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 13, 2003
From: MECKES, RUDIGER; MEIER, HERBERT; RITTNER, WOLFGANG
To: DRAGERWERK AEROSPACE GMBH
Reel/Frame 013776/0367 →