METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING AN AIRCRAFT AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM

• US 20130269374A1
• Filed: 06/12/2013
• Published: 10/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Inventors: KELNHOFER, Juergen
• Granted Patent: US 10,071,807 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/89
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 13/06 the air being conditioned pressurising B64D13/02
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 13/08 the air being heated or cooled
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2013/0618 with arrangements for reducing or managing bleed air, using another air source, e.g. ram air
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2013/0655 with zone or personal climate controls
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 11/02 as expanders F25B9/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/25 Control of valves
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/2501 Bypass valves
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2700/13 Mass flow of refrigerants
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 9/06 using expanders F25B9/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/50 On board measures aiming to increase energy efficiency

Abstract

A method for controlling an aircraft air conditioning system includes the steps of detecting an operating state of an air conditioning unit of the aircraft air conditioning system and controlling the temperature of a process air mass flow supplied to the air conditioning unit in dependence on the operating state of the air conditioning unit.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an aircraft air conditioning system, having the steps:

detecting an operating state of an air conditioning unit of the aircraft air conditioning system, and

controlling the temperature of a process air mass flow supplied to the air conditioning unit in dependence on the operating state of the air conditioning unit.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein, upon detecting the operating state of the air conditioning unit, the operating state of at least one ram air channel flap is determined, which controls a flow cross-section of a ram air channel for the supply of ambient air to a heat exchanger unit of the air conditioning unit.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein, upon detecting the operating state of the air conditioning unit, the operating state of at least one internal valve of the air conditioning unit is determined which, in its open state, effects an increase in the temperature of a process air mass flow exiting the air conditioning unit.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of the process air mass flow supplied to the air conditioning unit is altered only if it is determined upon detecting the operating state of the air conditioning unit that the ram air channel flap only frees a minimal flow cross-section of the ram air channel and/or that the internal valve is open.

5. A method according claim 1, wherein the temperature of the process air mass flow supplied to the air conditioning unit is increased if it is determined upon detecting the operating state of the air conditioning unit that the ram air channel flap only frees a minimal flow cross-section of the ram air channel and/or that the internal valve is open.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein, with an increase in the temperature of the process air mass flow supplied to the air conditioning unit, the internal valve is closed to the extent that the increase in the temperature of the process air mass flow supplied to the air conditioning unit does not result in a change in the temperature of a process air mass flow exiting the air conditioning unit.

7. A method according to claim 5, wherein the temperature of the process air mass flow supplied to the air conditioning unit is only increased so long as it can be ensured by closing the internal valve that the increase in the temperature of the process air mass flow supplied to the air conditioning unit does not result in a change in the temperature of a process air mass flow exiting the air conditioning unit.

8. An apparatus for controlling an aircraft air conditioning system having:

a detection device, which is adapted to detect an operating state of an air conditioning unit of the aircraft air conditioning system, and

a control device which is adapted to control the temperature of a process air mass flow supplied to the air conditioning unit in dependence on the operating state of the air conditioning unit.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the detection device is adapted to determine the operating state of at least one ram air channel flap for the purpose of determining the operating state of the air conditioning unit, said ram air channel flap in turn being adapted to control a flow cross-section of a ram air channel for the supply of ambient air to a heat exchanger unit of the air conditioning unit.

10. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the detection device is adapted to determine the operating state of at least one internal valve of the air conditioning unit, for the purpose of determining the operating state of the air conditioning unit, which is in turn adapted to effect an increase in the temperature of a process air mass flow exiting the air conditioning s unit in its open state.

11. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control device is adapted to alter the temperature of the process air mass flow supplied to the air conditioning unit only if it is determined upon detecting the operating state of the air conditioning unit that the ram air channel flap only frees a minimum flow cross-section of the ram air channel and/or that the internal valve is open.

12. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control device is adapted to increase the temperature of the process air mass flow supplied to the air conditioning unit if it is determined upon detecting the operating state of the air conditioning unit that the ram air channel flap only frees a minimal flow cross-section of the ram air channel and/or that the internal valve is open.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the control device is adapted to steer the internal valve into its closed position upon an increase in the temperature of the process air mass flow supplied to the air conditioning unit to the extent that the increase in the temperature of the process air mass flow supplied to the air conditioning unit does not result in a change in the temperature of a process air mass flow exiting the air conditioning unit.

14. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the control device is adapted to increase the temperature of the process air mass flow supplied to the air conditioning unit only so long as it can be ensured by closing the internal valve that the increase in the temperature of the process air mass flow supplied to the air conditioning unit does not result in a change in the temperature of a process air mass flow exiting the air conditioning unit.