Means for air fractionization
View Patent ↗An aircraft, aircraft system and air fractionization device are provided. The air fractionization device is provided for use on board an aircraft. The air fractionization installation functions according to the principle of pressure swing adsorption and is supplied by the air conditioning and pressurization system with which also the aircraft cabin may be supplied with air.
1. A device for air fractionization on board an aircraft for the supply of breathing air to the aircraft cabin, the device comprising:
an air conditioning and pressurization system receiving untreated compressed air, said air conditioning and pressurization system having a first outlet and a second outlet, said air conditioning and pressurization system supplying breathing air to the aircraft cabin via said first outlet;
an air fractionization unit having an air fractionization intake supplied with breathing air from said air conditioning and pressurization system via said second outlet, said air fractionization unit having an air fractionization outlet for delivering nitrogen and/or oxygen to said first outlet, wherein said nitrogen and/or oxygen is delivered to the aircraft cabin via said first outlet of said air conditioning and pressurization system.
2. A device for air fractionization according to claim 1 , further comprising: at least two pressure swing adsorption units.
3. A device for air fractionization according to claim 1 , wherein said oxygen and/or nitrogen is diverted into the aircraft cabin based on an oxygen concentration of said breathing air supplied via said air conditioning and pressurization system.
4. A device for air fractionization according to claim 1 , further comprising: an outlet through which nitrogen may be diverted into the fuel tanks and/or the freight space.
5. A device for air fractionization according to claim 1 , further comprising: a control valve with which a flow of the oxygen and/or the nitrogen to the aircraft cabin may be adjusted.
6. An aircraft system, comprising:
a compressed air supply means for supplying non-conditioned compressed air;
a cabin air conditioning and pressurization system having an inlet for receiving said non-conditioned compressed air from said compressed air supply means and a first outlet and a second outlet, said cabin air conditioning and pressurization system dehumidifying and pressurizing said non-conditioned compressed air to form breathable air, said cabin air conditioning and pressurization system supplying said breathable air to an aircraft cabin region via said first outlet; and
an air fractionization device with an intake supplied with breathable air from said second outlet of said cabin air conditioning and pressurization system, said air fractionization device separating said breathable air into nitrogen and oxygen, said air fractionization device delivering one of said nitrogen and oxygen to said first outlet.
7. An aircraft system according to claim 6 , wherein said air fractionization device includes at least two pressure swing adsorption units.
8. An aircraft system according to claim 7 , wherein said air fractionization device includes an outlet through which oxygen and/or nitrogen may be diverted into the aircraft cabin.
9. An aircraft system according to claim 7 , wherein said air fractionization device includes an outlet through which nitrogen may be diverted into the fuel tanks and/or the freight space.
10. An aircraft system according to claim 6 , wherein said air fractionization device includes a control valve with which the oxygen and/or the nitrogen supplied to the aircraft cabin may be adjusted.
11. An aircraft, comprising:
a cabin region;
a compressed air source for supplying unconditioned compressed air;
a cabin air conditioning and pressurization system receiving unconditioned compressed air from said compressed air source, said cabin air conditioning and pressurization system having a first outlet and a second outlet, said cabin air conditioning and pressurization system treating said unconditioned compressed air to produce breathing air, said cabin air condition and pressurization system delivering said breathing air to said cabin region via said first outlet; and
an air fractionization device with an intake supplied with breathing air from said second outlet of said cabin air conditioning and pressurization system, said air fractionization device separating said breathing air into oxygen and nitrogen, said air fractionization device delivering oxygen and/or nitrogen to said first outlet of said cabin air conditioning and pressurization system such that said breathing air and said oxygen and/or nitrogen are supplied to said cabin region.
12. An aircraft according to claim 11 , wherein said air fractionization device includes at least two pressure swing adsorption units.
13. An aircraft according to claim 11 , wherein said air fractionization device includes an outlet through which oxygen and/or nitrogen may be diverted into the aircraft cabin.
14. An aircraft according to claim 11 , wherein said air fractionization device includes an outlet through which nitrogen may be diverted into the fuel tanks and/or the freight space.
15. An aircraft according to claim 11 , wherein said air fractionization device includes a control valve for varying the oxygen and/or the nitrogen delivered to the aircraft cabin.
16. An aircraft system according to claim 6 , wherein said oxygen and/or nitrogen is diverted into the aircraft cabin based on an oxygen concentration of said breathing air supplied via said cabin air conditioning and pressurization system.
17. An aircraft according to claim 11 , wherein said oxygen and/or nitrogen is diverted into the aircraft cabin with said breathing air based on an oxygen concentration of said breathing air supplied via said cabin air conditioning and pressurization system.
18. A device for air fractionization according to claim 1 , wherein said air fractionization unit functions as a pressure swing adsorption device.
19. An aircraft system according to claim 6 , wherein said air fractionization device functions as a pressure swing adsorption device.
20. An aircraft according to claim 11 , wherein said air fractionization device functions as a pressure swing adsorption device.