METHOD FOR MAKING POWER AVAILABLE AND POWER SUPPLY UNIT THEREFOR

• US 20100225163A1
• Filed: 03/24/2010
• Published: 09/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Diehl Aerospace GmbH (Diehl VA Systeme Stiftung & Company KG)
• Original Assignee: Diehl Aerospace GmbH (Diehl VA Systeme Stiftung & Company KG)
• Inventors: Speth, Bernd, Petersen, Benno, Knepple, Ronny
• Granted Patent: US 8,203,231 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/9.100
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/04 Galleys
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2041/002 Mounting arrangements for auxiliary power units (APU's)
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2041/005 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 41/00 Power installations for auxiliary purposes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/40 Weight reduction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

In order to relieve the power supply system of commercial aircraft of one absolutely essential load, specifically a galley with heating and cooling appliances, the appliances are provided with at least one autonomous power supply device which can be handled without any problems and is installed in a galley trolley (1) of standardized dimensions, preferably with a fuel cell (2) together with its fuel tanks (3, 4) and voltage converters (5) in order to be replaced at the same time by catering lifting loaders in the course of galley supply and disposal. Instead of or in addition thereto, an autonomous, mobile power supply unit such as this can also be installed in one of the standardized baggage or cargo containers for accommodation in the cargo bay of the aircraft, and then in particular also to feed electrical heating and cooling appliances in other containers.

Claims

1. A method for providing power in a commercial aircraft, wherein a power supply device in the form of, and in the action of replacing a galley trolley, or of a baggage and/or cargo container such as a trolley in the galley or such as a container is locked in a cargo bay of the commercial aircraft so as to be replaceable and is resultingly connected to a local load network via docking interfaces.

2. A power supply device for providing power in a commercial aircraft, wherein a container in the form of a galley trolley (1) or of a baggage or cargo container is equipped with a generator that is selectively in the form of a fuel cell (2) together with fuel supplies and operating devices thereof, or in the form of a rechargeable battery, and which possesses a converter (5) and docking interfaces (8) for connection to a local load network on-board the aircraft.

3. The power supply device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said interfaces (8) are designed to feed heating and/or cooling appliances as well as lighting devices located in the galley and/or in a cargo bay.

4. The power supply device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said interfaces (8) are designed to feed convenience functions at seat locations in relatively close vicinity to a galley.

5. The power supply device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the device is equipped with tanks (3, 4) containing liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen for operation of said fuel cell (2).

6. The power supply unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the unit is equipped with a store (7) and with a control and monitoring unit (6), as well as with system components (9) for autonomous operation of said fuel cell (2).

7. The power supply unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the unit is designed for connection to at least one other power supply unit on-board the aircraft, so as to provide an emergency power supply.