초록 ▼

An aircraft system for improved cooling efficiency comprises at least one air conditioning pack, coupled to an aircraft, having at least one air compression device powered by at least one power source and having an air compression device inlet. The system further comprises at least one air flow path

An aircraft system for improved cooling efficiency comprises at least one air conditioning pack, coupled to an aircraft, having at least one air compression device powered by at least one power source and having an air compression device inlet. The system further comprises at least one air flow path for redirecting a first portion of a first volume of aircraft interior outflow air from an aircraft interior to the air compression device inlet. The air flow path includes a shutoff valve to enable the air flow path during ground operation of the aircraft and to disable the air flow path for flight operation of the aircraft. The air compression inlet mixes the first volume of aircraft interior outflow air with a second volume of aircraft exterior inflow air to form an air mixture. The air conditioning pack conditions and circulates the air mixture into the aircraft interior.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An aircraft system for improved cooling efficiency, the system comprising: at least one air conditioning pack coupled to a pack bay of an aircraft, the pack bay housing the air conditioning pack and at least one air compression device powered by at least one power source, the at least one air com

1. An aircraft system for improved cooling efficiency, the system comprising: at least one air conditioning pack coupled to a pack bay of an aircraft, the pack bay housing the air conditioning pack and at least one air compression device powered by at least one power source, the at least one air compression device having an air compression device inlet;at least one air flow path for redirecting a first portion of aircraft interior outflow air from an aircraft interior to the air compression device via the air compression device inlet, then to the air conditioning pack, and then directly back into the aircraft interior, the air flow path including a shutoff valve to enable the air flow path during ground operation of the aircraft and to disable the air flow path for flight operation of the aircraft; and,at least one aircraft interior air outflow valve for directing a second portion of aircraft interior outflow air out of the aircraft. 2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a valve control switch in an aircraft flight deck for enabling and disabling the shutoff valve. 3. The system of claim 2 further comprising a control unit for controlling the shutoff valve in response to selections of the valve control switch. 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the air conditioning pack is electric based and derives its air source from the air compression device. 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the air compression device is an electric air compressor. 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the power source is selected from the group comprising electric power, hydraulic power, pneumatic power, and shaft power. 7. The system of claim 1 wherein the aircraft interior comprises an aircraft cabin. 8. The system of claim 1 wherein the air compression device inlet mixes the first portion of aircraft interior outflow air with aircraft exterior inflow air to form an air mixture, and further wherein the air mixture flows from the at least one air compression device to the air conditioning pack for conditioning, and then directly recirculates back into the aircraft interior. 9. The system of claim 8 wherein the air mixture comprises a ratio of aircraft exterior inflow air to aircraft interior outflow air in a range of from about 80%/20% to about 50%/50%. 10. The system of claim 9 wherein the air mixture comprises a ratio of about 70% aircraft exterior inflow air and about 30% aircraft interior outflow air. 11. An aircraft system for improved ground cooling efficiency, the system comprising: an electric based air conditioning system coupled to a pack bay of an aircraft, the air conditioning system comprising: at least one air conditioning pack housed in the pack bay and having an air conditioning pack inlet and an air conditioning pack outlet;at least one air compressor housed in the pack bay and providing air to the air conditioning pack, the air compressor having an air compressor inlet and an air compressor outlet; and,at least one electric power source housed in the pack bay and that provides electric power to the air compressor;an aircraft interior air recovery system coupled to the air conditioning system, the aircraft interior air recovery system comprising: at least one air flow path for redirecting a first portion of aircraft interior outflow air from an aircraft interior to the air compressor via the air compression device inlet, then to the air conditioning pack, and then directly back into the aircraft interior; and,a shutoff valve coupled to the air flow path to enable the air flow path during ground operation of the aircraft and to disable the air flow path for flight operation of the aircraft;an aircraft interior air outflow valve for directing a second portion of the aircraft interior outflow air out of the aircraft; and,a valve control switch in an aircraft flight deck for enabling and disabling the shutoff valve;wherein the air compression inlet mixes the first portion of aircraft interior outflow air with aircraft exterior inflow air to form an air mixture, and further wherein the air mixture flows from the at least one air compression device to the air conditioning pack for conditioning, and then directly recirculates back into the aircraft interior. 12. The aircraft system of claim 11 wherein the air mixture comprises a ratio of aircraft exterior inflow air to aircraft interior outflow air in a range of from about 80%/20% to about 50%/50%. 13. The aircraft system of claim 12 wherein the air mixture comprises a ratio of about 70% aircraft exterior inflow air and about 30% aircraft interior outflow air. 14. A method for improving cooling efficiency in an aircraft, the method comprising: housing within a pack bay of the aircraft an air conditioning pack and an air compression device powered by a power source;directing via an air flow path a first portion of aircraft interior outflow air from an aircraft interior to the air compression device via an air compression device inlet, then to the air conditioning pack, and then directly back into the aircraft interior;directing a second portion of aircraft interior outflow air from the aircraft interior to outside of the aircraft;taking in aircraft exterior inflow air from outside the aircraft into the air compression device via the air compression device inlet;mixing in the air compression device inlet the first portion of aircraft interior outflow air with the aircraft exterior inflow air to form an air mixture;conditioning the air mixture with the air conditioning pack;directly recirculating the air mixture back into the aircraft interior; and,coupling a shutoff valve to the air flow path to enable the air flow path during ground operation and disable the air flow path for flight operation. 15. The method of claim 14 further comprising routing cabin air flow from a cabin aircraft interior to the air compression device inlet. 16. The method of claim 14 further comprising reducing a total energy needed to cool the aircraft interior outflow air going back into the aircraft interior. 17. The method of claim 14 further comprising providing a valve control switch in an aircraft flight deck to enable or disable operation of the shutoff valve. 18. The method of claim 14 wherein the air conditioning pack is electric based and derives its air source from an electric air compressor. 19. The method of claim 14 wherein the air mixture comprises a ratio of aircraft exterior inflow air to aircraft interior outflow air in a range of from about 80%/20% to about 50%/50%. 20. A method for improving ground cooling efficiency in an aircraft, the method comprising: housing within a pack bay of the aircraft an air conditioning pack and an air compression device powered by a power source;directing via at least one air flow path a first portion of aircraft interior outflow air from an aircraft interior to the air compression device via an air compression device inlet, then to the air conditioning pack, and then directly back into the aircraft interior;directing a second portion of aircraft interior outflow air from the aircraft interior to outside of the aircraft;taking in aircraft exterior inflow air from outside the aircraft into the air compression device via the air compression device inlet;mixing in the air compression device the first portion of the aircraft interior outflow air with the aircraft exterior inflow air to form an air mixture;conditioning the air mixture with the air conditioning pack;directly recirculating the air mixture back into the aircraft interior;coupling a shutoff valve to the air flow path to enable the air flow path during ground operation and disable the air flow path for flight operation; and,providing a valve control switch in an aircraft flight deck to enable or disable operation of the shutoff valve. 21. The method of claim 20 wherein the air mixture comprises a ratio of aircraft exterior inflow air to aircraft interior outflow air in a range of from about 80%/20% to about 50%/50%. 22. The method of claim 20 wherein the power source is selected from the group comprising electric power, hydraulic power, pneumatic power, and shaft power.