초록 ▼

A high efficiency environmental control system uses air exhausted from a pressurized cabin to cool compressed air entering the cabin. Air exhausted from the cabin may flow directly from the cabin through a heat exchanger which cools the compressed air entering the cabin. Alternatively, air exiting t

A high efficiency environmental control system uses air exhausted from a pressurized cabin to cool compressed air entering the cabin. Air exhausted from the cabin may flow directly from the cabin through a heat exchanger which cools the compressed air entering the cabin. Alternatively, air exiting the cabin may flow through a turbine which expands and cools the air prior to passing through the heat exchanger. The turbine may be used to drive a compressor to provide the compressed air to the cabin. Supplemental power to drive the compressor may be provided by a second turbine driven by bleed air from one or more turbine engines, or by an electric motor. Bleed air may also be mixed with air from the compressor to provide fresh air to the cabin. To further increase efficiency and meet the cooling requirements of the cabin on the ground and at altitude, switch dampers may be employed to selectably vary the flow path of air supplied to the cabin.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [3.] An environmental control system for a pressurized cabin having an inflow port for supplying air to the cabin and an outflow port for exhausting air from the cabin, the system comprising:a heat exchanger having a first inlet and corresponding first outlet in fluid communic

[ What is claimed is:] [3.] An environmental control system for a pressurized cabin having an inflow port for supplying air to the cabin and an outflow port for exhausting air from the cabin, the system comprising:a heat exchanger having a first inlet and corresponding first outlet in fluid communication with the outflow port of the cabin, the heat exchanger also having a second inlet and corresponding second outlet in fluid communication with the inflow port of the cabin, wherein air exhausted from the cabin passes through the first inlet and outlet of the heat exchanger to cool air supplied to the cabin through the second inlet and outlet to increase efficiency of the system;a fan interposed the first inlet of the heat exchanger and the outflow port of the cabin for moving air through the heat exchanger when cabin pressure is insufficient to attain a desired cooling level of air supplied to the inflow port of the cabin; anda turbine interposed the cabin and heat exchanger having a turbine inlet in fluid communication with the outflow port of the cabin and a turbine outlet in fluid communication with the first inlet of the heat exchanger, the turbine expanding and cooling the air exhausted from the cabin to further cool the air supplied to the cabin.