The Boeing Company

Leigh M Sedgwick

Warren Andrew Atkey

Casey Y K Ng

Gregg Grant LaVoy

John Charles Gray

Charles Edward Kusuda

Thamir R Al-Alusi

Scott M Satterfield

John D Blake

Coyne Foster

Charles E Kusuda

Casey Yk Ng

Gregg Grant Lavoy

John C Gray

Foster Coyne

Casey YK Ng

An aircraft fuselage sidewall may include an aircraft sidewall volume and a flow controller. The aircraft sidewall volume may be delineated by an aircraft skin forming an outboard boundary of the aircraft sidewall volume, a passenger cabin sidewall forming an inboard boundary of the aircraft sidewall volume and fuselage frame structures forming axial boundaries of the aircraft sidewall volume. The flow controller may be positioned at a portion of the aircraft sidewall volume to selectably control air flow through the aircraft sidewall volume.

Method and apparatus for air flow control in an aircraft sidewall volume

Outflow valves for use in an aircraft are described. In one example, an outflow valve for use in an aircraft includes a frame configured for coupling to an aircraft and a gate pivotally coupled to said frame. The frame includes a forward flange extending above the frame. The gate is pivotally moveable between a closed position to substantially block airflow between an interior of the aircraft and an exterior of the aircraft and an exhaust position to direct airflow from the interior toward the exterior of the aircraft. The forward edge of the gate is located adjacent the frame forward flange as the gate is pivoted between the closed position to the exhaust position.

Aircraft outflow valve

An air conditioning system and method are provided for use in an aircraft having a pressurized area and an unpressurized area. The air conditioning system includes an air conditioning pack located in the unpressurized area of the aircraft that conditions fresh air. The air conditioning system also includes a first air duct for directing a flow of recirculation air from the pressurized area, through a pressure bulkhead, and into the unpressurized area. A mixer is also provided and advantageously positioned in the unpressurized area for mixing the conditioned air from the air conditioning pack and the recirculation air from the pressurized area. Advantageously, the mixer obviates the need for a mix manifold and saves valuable space for passengers, cargo, and other aircraft equipment. The air conditioning system also includes a second air duct that directs the mixture of conditioned air and recirculation air from the mixer to the pressurized area of the aircraft. The air conditioning unit also includes an aerodynamic shutoff valve in line with the first air duct at the pressure bulkhead and adapted for protecting against depressurization of the pressurized area as a result of the depressurization of the first air duct.

Aircraft air conditioning system and method

Growing community of inventors

Mercer Island, WA, United States of America

Leigh M Sedgwick