Daimlerchrysler Aerospace Airbus Gmbh

Hans-Joachim Scheffler

Michael Markwart

Uwe Buchholz

An aircraft air-conditioning system provides ventilation, air-conditioning and fire protection for a below-deck stairwell and cargo hold that may be equipped with passenger sleeping compartment containers. An air mixing unit mixes fresh air and recycled air to supply mixed air through a first supply air main line (,) and a supply air unit (,) into the freight hold (,), and through a second supply air main line (,) into the stairwell (,). A trimming air unit (,A) provides hot bleed air from the aircraft engines into the mixed air supplied through the first and second supply air main lines (,). An exhaust air line (,) extracts exhaust air from the freight hold (,), while an exhaust air supplemental line (,) extracts exhaust air from the stairwell (,), both of which are connected to an exhaust air main line with an exhaust air ventilator (,) that blows the exhaust air overboard. A bypass line (,) provides bypass air if needed for the demands of the ventilator (,). Regulating valves and non-return flap valves in the supply air line and in the exhaust air line regulate the flow of air and prevent back-flow. Temperature sensors are connected to a controller that regulates the temperature of the mixed supply air to achieve a comfortable temperature in the freight hold and in the stairwell. In the event of fire, the air valves are closed, to seal-off the freight hold (,) and prevent the spread of smoke into the stairwell or other ventilated areas.

Air-conditioning system for below-deck areas of a passenger aircraft

The below-deck space of an aircraft may be selectively configured as a freight hold or alternatively as a passenger sleeping cabin space by arranging a sleeping cabin container therein. An air conditioning system for this below-deck space provides air in a supply air main line (,), which branches off to at least one supply air delivery line (,). A first flange (,) is provided at the end of the supply air delivery line (,), and a seal collar (,) seals the end relative to the freight hold wall (,). When a sleeping cabin container is to be arranged in the below-deck space, a flap door (,) is pivoted into an open position, and the flange (,) at the end of a ventilation duct (,) of the sleeping cabin is connected directly to the flange (,). When the sleeping cabin container is removed from the freight hold, the flap door (,) is pivoted into a closed position, in which it covers the mouth opening of the flange (,), and allows an air flow into the freight hold only through the smaller restricted cross-section of an air throughflow opening (,) in the flap door (,). The air supply arrangement can be easily adjusted to meet the different air flow requirements of the sleeping cabin configuration and the freight hold configuration without requiring any recalibration of the air-conditioning system itself.

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Hamburg, Germany

Hans-Joachim Scheffler