초록 ▼

An air separation system and method wherein the outlet of a primary air separation module (one or more modules or bundles of fiber membranes) is split into two flow paths, a low flow path and a high flow path. The outlet of a secondary air separation module (one or more modules or bundles of fiber

An air separation system and method wherein the outlet of a primary air separation module (one or more modules or bundles of fiber membranes) is split into two flow paths, a low flow path and a high flow path. The outlet of a secondary air separation module (one or more modules or bundles of fiber membranes) is split into two flow paths, a mid flow path and a high flow path, the latter being joined with the high flow of the primary air separation module. Flow along the primary low flow passes through a low-flow orifice, flow along the secondary mid-flow path passes through a mid-flow orifice, and flow along the high flow paths of both the primary and secondary air separation modules is joined together for passage through a shutoff valve and a high flow orifice. This configuration allows for three different flow modes of operation.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An inerting system, comprising: a main inlet for connection to an upstream source of pressurized air; a main outlet for connection to a space to be inerted; a first air separation module for producing inert gas-enriched air from pressurized air supplied thereto from the main

What is claimed is: 1. An inerting system, comprising: a main inlet for connection to an upstream source of pressurized air; a main outlet for connection to a space to be inerted; a first air separation module for producing inert gas-enriched air from pressurized air supplied thereto from the main inlet; at least one second air separation module for producing inert gas-enriched air from pressurized air supplied thereto from the main inlet; and flow control components for operating the first air separation module in a low flow mode for delivery of inert gas-enriched air to the main outlet at a first flow rate, for operating both the first and second air separation modules in a mid flow mode for delivery of inert gas-enriched air to the main outlet at a second flow rate higher than the first flow rate, and for operating both the first and second air separation modules in a high flow mode for delivery of inert gas-enriched air to the main outlet at a third flow rate higher than the second flow rate. 2. An inerting system according to claim 1, wherein the flow control components include a first flow passage connecting an inlet of the first air separation module to the inlet, a second flow passage connecting the second air separation module(s) to the inlet, a second flow control valve for permitting or shutting off flow of the pressurized air through the second air separation module(s), a low flow passage connecting an outlet of the first air separation module to the main outlet, a mid flow passage connecting an output of each second air separation module to the main outlet, and a high flow passage connected between the outlets of the first and second air separation modules and the main outlet, the high flow passage including a high flow control valve for permitting or shutting off flow from the first and second air separation modules to the main outlet. 3. An inerting system according to claim 2, wherein the low flow, mid flow and high flow passages include low, mid and high flow restrictors for providing low, mid and high flow rates in the low flow, mid flow and high flow passages, respectively. 4. An inerting system according to claim 2, wherein the outputs of the first and second air separation modules are respectively connected by first and second flow connecting passages to the high flow passage upstream of the high flow control valve, and the second flow connecting passage includes a check valve blocking reverse flow therethrough. 5. An inerting system according to claim 2, wherein the mid flow passage includes a check valve preventing reverse flow therethrough. 6. An inerting system according to claim 1, including a warming flow bypass line connected to the second air separation module(s) for diverting a warming flow through the second air separation module(s) away from the main outlet. 7. An inerting system according to claim 6, comprising a warming flow control valve for controlling flow through the bypass line. 8. An inerting system according to claim 1, wherein the flow control components include a controller responsive to flight data information of the aircraft for operating the first and second air separation modules in the mid flow mode during climb, the first air separation module in the low flow mode during cruise, and the first and second air separation modules in the high flow mode during descent. 9. An inerting system according to claim 8, wherein the controller is operable in response to demand for inert gas-enriched air to cycle the first and second air separation modules between high and mid flow modes to match output flow with the demand for inert gas-enriched air. 10. An inerting system according to claim 8, wherein the controller is responsive to flight data information for operating the first and second air separation modules in the mid flow mode just prior to descent of the aircraft in order to warm the second air separation modules. 11. An inerting system according to claim 8, wherein the mid-flow mode is used periodically (duty cycled) during cruise to keep the second air separation module's warm. 12. An inerting system as set forth in claim 1, in combination with an aircraft including a fuel tank to which the main outlet is connected. 13. An inerting method comprising the steps of operating a first air separation module in a low flow mode for delivery of inert gas-enriched air to a space to be inerted at a first flow rate, operating both the first and one or more second air separation modules in a mid flow mode for delivery of inert gas-enriched air to the space to be inerted at a second flow rate higher than the first flow rate, and operating both the first and second air separation modules in a high flow mode for delivery of inert gas-enriched air to the space to be inerted at a third flow rate higher than the second flow rate. 14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the first, second and third flow rates are determined by respective flow restrictors in flow passages connecting the first and second air separation modules to the space to be inerted. 15. A method according to claim 13, wherein a warming flow of pressurized air at elevated temperature is provided through the second air separation module to heat the second air separation module to above ambient temperature during a period other than the high flow mode. 16. A method according to claim 15, wherein during the warming period flow from the second air separation module(s) is diverted by a bypass line away from the space to be inerted. 17. A method according to claim 13, wherein the first and second air separation modules are cycled through the low, mid and high flow modes through control of only two flow control valves. 18. An inerting system, comprising: an inlet for connection to an upstream source of pressurized air; an outlet for connection to a space to be inerted; and air separation means connected between the inlet and outlet for delivery of inert gas-enriched air to the outlet at a first flow rate in a low flow mode, for delivery of inert gas-enriched air to the outlet in a mid flow mode at a second flow rate higher than the first flow rate, and for delivery of inert gas-enriched air to the main outlet in a high flow mode at a third flow rate higher than the second flow rate. 19. A flow control apparatus for an inerting system including a main inlet for connection to an upstream source of pressurized air, a main outlet for connection to a space to be inerted, a first air separation module for producing inert gas-enriched air from pressurized air supplied thereto from the main inlet, and at least one second air separation module for producing inert gas-enriched air from pressurized air supplied thereto from the main inlet, said apparatus comprising flow control components for effecting operation of the first air separation module in a low flow mode for delivery of inert gas-enriched air to the main outlet at a first flow rate, for effecting operation of both the first and second air separation modules in a mid flow mode for delivery of inert gas-enriched air to the main outlet at a second flow rate higher than the first flow rate, and for effecting operation of both the first and second air separation modules in a high flow mode for delivery of inert gas-enriched air to the main outlet at a third flow rate higher than the second flow rate. 20. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the flow control components include a flow control valve for permitting or shutting off flow of the pressurized air through the second air separation module(s), a low flow passage for connecting an outlet of the first air separation module to the main outlet, a mid flow passage for connecting an output of each second air separation module to the main outlet, and a high flow passage for connecting between the outlets of the first and second air separation modules and the main outlet, the high flow passage including a high flow control valve for permitting or shutting off flow from the first and second air separation modules to the main outlet. 21. An apparutus according to claim 20, wherein the low flow, mid flow and high flow passages include low, mid and high flow restrictors for providing low, mid and high flow rates in the low flow, mid flow and high flow passages, respectively.