Apparatus and method of air-conditioning parked aircraft

• US 4,835,977 A
• Filed: 04/14/1988
• Issued: 06/06/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Inet Airport Systems, Inc. (Cavotec (Swiss) SA)
• Original Assignee: Teledyne Industries Incorporated (Teledyne Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: Tupack, Robert E., Haglund, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Capossela, Ronald C.
• Application Number:
  US07/183,459
• Time in Patent Office: 418 Days
• Field of Search: 62/89, 62/237, 62/278, 62/434, 62/513
• US Class Current: 62/89
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 13/08 the air being heated or cooled
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/362 Installations for supplying conditioned air to parked aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 15/00 Devices not covered by group F25D11/00 or F25D13/00, e.g. non-self-contained movable devices
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 17/02 for circulating liquids, e.g. brine
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/50 On board measures aiming to increase energy efficiency

Abstract

A method and apparatus for air conditioning parked aircraft is disclosed in which air at a temperature below the freezing point of water is provided under pressure to the aircraft. The use of sub-freezing air enables a reduction in air flow rate over prior art systems. This results in less power consumption for cooling and pressurizing the air and also results in less cabin noise. Further, the air entering the cabin is very low in humidity, which enhances passenger comfort. Several cooling system mechanizations are presented which include provisions for automatic frost removal.

Claims

1. A method of maintaining, for a prescribed cabin heat flow rate, the temperature in the interior of the passenger cabin of a parked aircraft at approximately 75°

F., where the aircraft has an external air inlet for the introduction of cooling air into ductwork communicating with the cabin, the method comprising the steps of;

reducing the temperature of a portion of the ambient air external to the aircraft to a first level of temperature which is at least 5°

F. below the freezing point of water, using electrically-powered vapor-compression cycle cooling apparatus located external to the airplane; and

providing to the aircraft external air inlet at a second level of temperature which is below the freezing point of water the air cooled by the cooling apparatus at a cooling air flow rate established by an electric motor driven blower whose power requirement is more than 10 percent of the power required by the cooling apparatus and which compresses the air cooled by the cooling apparatus to a pressuure of at least 13 inches of water, where the cooling air flow rate is such that the ratio of the cabin heat flow rate, in units of BTUs per hour, to the cooling air flow rate, in units of pounds per mintue, is greater than 600.

2. The method of claim 1 in which the step of reducing the temperature of the portion of the ambient air sufficiently to lower the second level of temperature below the freezing point of water includes the steps of:

providing a heat exchanger having first and second sections of coiled tubing;

circulating a fluid through the second and first sections, respectively, of the heat exchanger;

cooling the fluid entering the second heat exchanger section below the freezing point of water;

forcing the portion of ambient air past the first and second heat exchanger sections, respectively, where the air exiting the first heat exchanger section is slightly above the freezing point of water and has most of its moisture removed, and the air exiting the second heat exchanger section, which is at the first level of temperature, is below the freezing point of water; and

interrupting the circulation of the fluid through at least the second heat exchanger section for a predetermined interval of time on a periodic basic to enable the forced portion of ambient air to defrost the second heat exchanger section.

3. The method of claim 1 in which the step of reducing the temperature of the portion of the ambient air sufficiently to lower the second level of temperature below the freezing point of water includes the step of:

providing a heat exchanger having first and second sections of coiled tubing;

connecting the first and second heat exchanger sections to provide fluid flow from an inlet of the second section to an outlet of the first section;

providing a compressible fluid within the heat exchanger tubing;

compressing the fluid exiting the first heat exchanger section;

condensing the compressed fluid into a liquid;

expanding the liquid as it flows into the inlet of the second heat exchanger section;

forcing the portion of ambient air past the first and second heat exchanger sections, where the air exiting the first heat exchanger section is slightly above the freezing point of water and has most of its moisture removed, and the air exiting the second heat exchanger section, which is at the first level of temperature is below the freezing point of water; and

circulating the compressed, but not condensed or expanded, fluid through at least the second heat exchanger section for a predetermined interval of time on a periodic basic to enable the compressed fluid to defrost the second heat exchanger section.

4. The method of claim 1 in which the step of reducing the temperature of the portion of the ambient air sufficiently to lower the second level of temperature below the freezing point of water includes the steps of:

providing a heat exchanger formed of first and second sections of coiled tubing, each section having an inlet and outlet;

providing a compressible first fluid circulating through the second heat exchanger section;

compressing the first fluid which exits the second heat exchanger;

condensing the compressed fluid into a liquid;

expanding the liquid as it flow into the inlet of the second heat exchanger section;

circulating a second fluid through the first heat exchanger section;

cooling the second fluid entering the first heat exchanger section;

forcing the portion of ambient air past the first and second heat exchanger sections, respectively, where the air exiting the first heat exchanger section is slightly above the freezing point of water and has most of its moisture removed, and the air exiting the second heat exchanger section, which is at the first level of temperature is below the freezing point of water; and

circulating the compressed, but not condensed or expanded, first fluid through the second heat exchanger section for a predetermined interval of time on a periodic basis to able the compressed first fluid to defrost the second heat exchanger section.

5. A cooling system for maintaining, for a prescribed cabin heat flow rate, the temperature in the interior of the passenger cabin of a parked aircraft at approximately 75°

F., where the aircraft has an external air inlet for the introduction of cooling air into ductwork communicating with the cabin, comprising;

electrically-powered, vapor-compression cycle cooling means located external to the airplane for reducing the temperature of a portion of the ambient air external to the aircraft to a first level of temperature which is at least 5°

F. below the freezing point of water; and

transport means for providing to the aircraft external air inlet at a second level of temperature which is below the freezing point of water the air cooled by the cooling apparatus at a cooling air flow rate established by an electric motor driven blower whose power requirement is more than 10 percent of the power required by the cooling apparatus and which compresses the air cooled by the cooling apparatus to a pressure of at least 13 inches of water, where the cooling air flow rate is such that the ratio of the cabin heat flow rate, in units of BTUs per hour, to the cooling air flow rate, in units of pound per minute, is greater than 600.

6. In a method of maintaining, for a prescribed cabin heat flow rate, the temperature is the interior of the passenger cabin of a parked aircraft at approximately 75°

F., where the aircraft has an external air inlet for the introduction of cooling air into ductwork communicating with the cabin, the method including the steps of;

reducing the temperature of a portion of the ambient air external to the aircraft to a first level of temperature using electrically-powered vapor-compression cycle cooling apparatus located external to the airplane; and

providing to the aircraft external air inlet at a second level of temperature which is above the freezing point of water and is at least 5°

F. higher than the first level of temperature the air cooled by the cooling apparatus at a cooling air flow rate established by an electric motor driven blower which compresses the air cooled by the cooling apparatus where the cooling air flow rate is such that the ratio of the cabin heat flow rate, in units of BTUs per hour, to the cooling air flow rate, in units of pounds per minute, is less than 450, and the power (P) required by the electric motor driven blower is more than 30 percent of the power required by the cooling apparatus, the improvement comprising;

the steps of reducing the temperature of the portion of the ambient air sufficiently to lower the second level of temperature below the freezing point of water; and

the step of providing the cooling air at an air flow rate such that the ratio of the cabin heat flow rate, in units of BTUs per hour, to the cooling air flow rate, in units of pounds per minute, is greater than 600, and where the power (P₁) consumed by the electric motor driven blower in the improvement is less than one-half (P).

7. In cooling system for maintaining, for a prescribed cabin heat flow rate, the temperature in the interior of the passenger cabin of a parked aircraft at approximately 75°

F., where the aircraft has an external air inlet for the introduction of cooling air into ductwork communicating with the cabin, the method including the system including;

electrically-powered vapor-compression cycle cooling means located external to the airplane for reducing the temperature of a portion of the ambient air external to the aircraft to a first level of temperature; and

transport means for providing to the aircraft external air inlet at a second level of temperature which is above the freezing point of water and is at least 5°

F. higher than the first level of temperature the air cooled by the cooling apparatus at a cooling air flow rate establishhed by an electric motor driven blower which compresses the air cooled by the cooling means, where the cooling air flow rate is such that the ratio of the cabin heat flow rate, in units of BTUs per hour, to the cooling air flow rate, in units of pounds per minute, is less than 450, and the power (P) required by the electric motor driven blower is more than 30 percent of the power required by the cooling apparatus, the improvement comprising;

reducing the temperature of the portion of the ambient air sufficiently to lower the second level of temperature below the freezing point of water; and

providing the cooling air at an air flow rate such that the ratio of the cabin heat flow rate, in units of BTUs per hour, to the cooling air flow rate, in units of pounds per minute, is greater than 600, and where the power (P₁) consumed by the electric motor driven blower in the improvement is less than one-half (P).

8. A cooling system for maintaining, for a prescribed cabin heat flow rate of about 100,000 BTUs per hour, the temperature in the interior of the passenger cabin of a parked narrow-body jet aircraft at approximately 75°

F., where the aircraft gas an external air inlet for the introduction of cooling air into ductwork communicating with the cabin, comprising;

electrically-powered, vapor-compression cycle cooling means located external to the airplane for reducing the temperature of a portion of the ambient air external to the aircraft to a first level of temperature which is at least 5°

F. below the freezing point of water; and

transport means for providing to the aircraft external air inlet at a second level of temperature which is below the freezing point of water the air cooled by the cooling apparatus at a cooling air flow rate established by an electric motor driven blower whose power whose requirement is more than 10 percent of the power required by the cooling apparatus and which compresses the air cooled by the cooling apparatus to a pressure of at least 13 inches of water, where the cooling air flow rate is such that the ratio of the cabin heat flow rate, in units of BTUs per hour, to the cooling air flow rate, in units of pounds per minute, is greater than 600, and where the power required to operate the electric motor driven blower is such that the ratio of the cabin heat flow rate, in units of BTUs per hour, to the blower power requirement, in kilowatts, is greater than 7500.

9. A cooling system for maintaining, for a prescribed cabin heat flow rate of about 300,000 BTUs per hour, the temperature in the interior of the passenger cabin of a parked wide-body jet aircraft at approximately 75°

F., where the aircraft has an external air inlet for the introduction of cooling air into ductwork communicating with the cabin, comprising;

electrically-powered, vapor-compression cylce cooling means located external to the airplane for reducing the temperature of a portion of the ambient air external to the aircraft to a first level of temperature which is at least 5°

F. below the freezing point of water; and

transport means for providing to the aircraft external air inlet at a second level of temperature which is below the freezing point of water the air cooled by the cooling apparatus at a cooling air flow rate established by an electric motor driven blower whose power requirement is more than 10 percent of the power required by the cooling apparatus and which compresses the air cooled by the cooling apparatus to a pressure of at least 40 inches of water, where the cooling air flow rate is such that the ratio of the cabin heat flow rate, in units of BTUs per hour, to the cooling air flow rate, in units of pounds per minute, is greater than 600, and where the power required to operate the electric motor driven blower is such that the ratio of the cabin heat flow rate, in units of BTUs per hour, to the blower power requirement, in kilowatts is greater than 400.

10. A method for maintaining the temperature and the humidity of the passenger cabin of a parked aircraft at a level comforable to passengers while the aircraft is parked, said aircraft having an external air inlet for introducing cooling air into air ductway communicating with said passenger cabin, comprising the steps of:

(a) reducing the temperature of air derived from outside said aircraft to a temperature which is near, but above the freezing point of water, thus condensing a substantial quantity of water from said air, using cooling means located external to said aircraft;

(b) cooling the cooled air from step (a) further to a temperature which is below the freezing point of water, thus removing a substantial quantity of the remaining water in said air, using cooling means external to said aircraft; and

(c) delivering the cooled air from step (b) through air transport means to said air inlet and through said air ductways to said passenger cabin for a time sufficient to reach and maintain said comfotable level and to remove heat from said air transport means and said passenger cabin combined at a rate of more than 10 BTU per pound of delivered air.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

in step (a), using first fluid-to-air heat exchanger means connected to source of chilled heat transfer fluid; and

in step (c), using second fluid-to-air heat exchanger means connected to a source of chilled heat transfer fluid, and periodically interrupting the flow of chilled heat transfer fluid through said second heat exchanger means in order to melt ice accumulations.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein said comfortable level includes maintaining the temperature and humidity in said passenger cabin within the ASHRAE-defined personal comfort zone.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein said cooling and said delivering steps are effected by means adapted to be mounted on an aircraft passenger-loading bridge.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the temperature of the air delivered to said aircraft is below the freezing point of water.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein said comfortable level in said passenger cabin includes a temperature of about 75°

F.

16. The method of claim 10 further comprising providing a fluid-to-air heat exchanger having first and second sections for fluid flow;

circulating a cooling fluid through said section so that air exiting said first section is at a temperature near, but above the freezing point of water, and substantially no ice is formed;

separting the water produced by cooling of air in said first section;

circulating cooling fluid through said second section so that air exiting said second is at a temperature below the freezing point of water; and

periodically interrupting the circulation of cooling fluid to permit defrosting of said second section.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said first and second sections are series-connected for said cooling fluid and for air.

18. The method of claim 11 or claim 16 or claim 17 wherein the velocity of air flow through the first section of said fluid-to-air exchanger is sufficiently low to permit substantially all the water removed from air passing through said first section to separate from said air before said air reaches said second section of said heat exchanger.

19. The method of claim 11 or claim 16 or claim 17 wherein the velocity of air flow in said second section of said heat exchanger is sufficiently low to permit substantially all the water removed from air passing through said second section to separate from said before said air exits said second section.

20. The method of claim 10 wherein the period of said interrupting is in the range of about 2 to about 20 minutes.

21. The method of claim 11 or claim 16 or claim 17 wherein said cooling fluid enters said first section near its cold air exit from said section, and leaves said first section near its warm air entry.

22. The method of claim 11 or claim 13 or claim 15 or claim 17 further comprising carrying out said delivering of cooled air at a rate sufficiently low to minimize noise in said passenger cabin caused by air passing through said air ductways into said passenger cabin.

23. The method of claim 10 further comprising usisng fluid-to-air heat exchanger means connected to a source of chilled heat transfer fluid for effecting said cooling in steps (a) and (b).

24. The method of claim 23 wherein said fluid-to-air heat exchanger means comprises first and second sections wherein said cooling step (a) takes place in a first section of said heat exchanger means, and said cooling step (b) takes place in a second section of said heat exchanger means, and wherein said method further comprises periodically interrupting circulation of cooling fluid through at least said second section to permit defrosting of said second section.

25. The method of claim 10 wherein said cooling and said delivering steps are effected by means adapted to be mounted on an aircraft passenger-loading bridge.

26. The method of claim 10 or claim 11 or claim 12 or claim 13 or claim 14 or claim 15 or claim 16 or claim17 wherein said cooling means comprises vapor-compression cycle cooling means.

27. A method for maintaining the temperature and the humidity of the passenger cabin of a parked aircraft at a level comfortable to passengers while the aircraft is parked, said aircraft having an external air inlet for introducing cooling air into air ductways communicating with said passenger cabin, comprising the steps of:

(a) reducing the temperature of air derived from outside aircraft to a temperature which is near, but above the freezing point of water, thus condensing a substantial quantity of water from said air, using cooling means located external to said aircraft;

(b) cooling the cooled air from step(a) further with a heat transfer fluid whose temperature is below the freezing point of water to remove a substantial additional quantity of water from said air, using cooling means external to said aircraft; and

(c) delivering the cooled air from step (b) through air transport means to said air inlet and through said air ductways to said passenger cabin for a time sufficient to reach and maintain said comfortable level and to remove heat from said air transport means and said passenger cabin combined at a rate of more than 10 BTU per pound of air delivered.

28. The method of claim 27 further comprising:

in step (a), using first fluid-to-air heat exchanger means connected to a source of chilled heat transfer fluid; and

in step (c), using second fluid-to-air heat exchanger means connected to a source of chilled heat transfer fluid, and periodically interrupting the flow of chilled heat transfer fluid through said heat exchanger means in order to melt ice accumulations.

29. The method of claim 27 wherein said comfortable level includes maintaining the temperature and humidity in said passenger cabin within the ASHRAE-defined personal comfort zone.

30. The method of claim 27 wherein said cooling and said delivering steps are effected by means adapted to be mounted on an aircraft passenger-loading bridge.

31. The method of claim 27 wherein the temperature of the air delivered to said aircraft is below the freezing point of water.

32. The method of claim 27 wherein said comfortable level in said passenger cabin includes a temperature of about 75°

F.

33. The method of claim 27 further comprising providing a fluid-to-air heat exchanger having first and second sections for fluid flow;

circulating a cooling fluid through said first section so that air exiting said first section is at a temperature near, but above the freezing point of water, and substantially no ice is formed;

separating the water produces by the cooling of air in said first section;

circulating cooling fluid through said second section so that frost forms on said second section; and

periodically interrupting the circulation of cooling fluid through at least said second section to permit defrosting of said second section.

34. The method of claim 27 wherein said first and second sections are series-connected for said cooling fluid and for air.

35. The method of claim 28 or claim 33 or claim 34 wherein the velocity of air flow through the first section of said fluid-to-air exchanger is sufficiently low to permit substantially all the water removed from air passing through said first section to separate from said air before said air reaches said second of said heat exchanger.

36. The method of claim 38 or claim 33 or claim 34 wherein the velocity of air flow in said second section of said heat exchanger is sufficiently low to permit sunstantially all the water removed from air passing through said second section to separate from said air before said air exits said second section.

37. The method of claim 27 wherin the period of said interrupting is in the range of about 2 to about 20 mintues.

38. The method of claim 28 or claim 33 or claim 34 wherein said cooling fluid enters said first section thermally near its cood air exit from said first section, and leaves said first section thermally near its warm air entry.

39. The method of claim 28 or claim 30 or claim 32 or claim 33 further comprising carrying out said delivering of cooled air at a rate sufficiently low to minimize noise in said passenger cabin caused by air passing through said air ductways into said passenger cabin.

40. The method of claim 27 further comprising using fluid-to-air heat exchanger means connected to a source of chilled heat transfer fluid for effecting said cooling in steps (a) and (b).

41. The method of claim 40 wherein said fluid-to-air heat exchanger means comprises first and second sections wherein said cooling step (a) place in a first section of said exchanger means, and said cooling step (b) takes place in a second section of said heat exchanger means, and wherein said method further comprises periodically interrupting circulation of cooling fluid through at least said second section to permit defrosting of said second section.

42. The method of claim 27 wherein said cooling and said deliveing steps are effected by means adapted to be mounted on an aircraft passenger-loading bridge.

43. A system for maintaining the temperature of the passenger cabin of a parked aircraft at a level comfortable to passengers while said aircraft is parked, said aircraft having external air inlet means and air ductways means communicating with said passenger cabin, said system comprising:

(a) first fluid-to-air heat exchanger means and associted control means for cooling air derived from outside said aircraft to a temperature which is near, but above the freezing point of water, using chilled heat transfer fluid to absorb heat from the air;

(b) means for removing water condensing from said in said first heat exchanger means;

(c) second fluid-to-air heat exchanger means and associated control means for cooling further the same air using chilled heat transfer fluid at a temperature sufficiently low to form ice on the surface of said second heat exchanger means;

(d) means for periodically interrupting the flow of chilled heat transfer fluid through said second heat exchanger to permit ice accumulations to melt;

(e) means for removing water formed during said periodic interruptions of flow; and

(f) means for delivering cool air through air delivery means, said air inlet, and said air ductway means to said passenger cabin in amounts sufficient to remove heat from said air transport means and said passenger cabin combined at a rate of more than 10 BTU per pound of air and to reach and to maintain said comfortable level.

44. The system of claim 43 further comprising vapor compression cycle cooling means for reducing the temprature of said cooling fluid to a temperature substantially lower than the freezing point of water, and means for delivering said cooling fluid to said first and second fluid-to-air heat exchangers.

45. The system of claim 43 wherein said first and said second heat exchanger means, and said cool air delivery means are mounted on an aircraft passenger-loading bridge adjacent to said parked aircraft.

46. The system of claim 43 wherein said control means for said first and second fluid-to-air heat exchanger means maintain the exit air temperature at the desired level and wherein said blower drives air through both said first and second heat exchanger means and into said parked aircraft through said external air inlet.

47. The system of claim 43 wherein said first and said second fluid-to-air heat exchangers are tube and fin heat exchangers.

48. The system of claim 43 wherein said cooling system is ground-installed.

49. The system of claim 43 wherein said delivering means delivers cool air to said passenger cabin at a rate sufficiently low to minimize noise in said passenger cabin caused by the flow of cool air through said air ductway means.

50. A system for maintaining the temperature of the passenger cabin of a parked aircraft at a level comfortable to passengers while said aircraft is parked, said aircraft having external air inlet means and air ductway means communicating with said passenger cabin, said system comprising:

(a) first fluid-to-air heat exchanger means and associated control means for cooling air derived from outside said aircraft to a temperature which is near, but above the freezing point of water, using chilled heat transfer fluid to absorb heat from the air;

(b) means for removing water condensing from said air in said first heat exchanger means;

(c) second fluid-to-air heat exchanger means and associated control means for cooling further the same air throughput to a temperature which is below the freezing point of water, using chilled heat transfer fluid to remove heat from said air;

(d) means for periodically interrupting the flow of chilled heat transfer fluid through said second heat exchanger to permit ice accumulations to melt;

(e) means for removing water formed during said periodic interruptions of cooling fluid; and

(f) means for delivering cool air through air delivery means, said air inlet, and said air ductway means to said passenger cabin in amounts sufficient to remove heat from said air transport means and said passenger cabin combined at a rate of more than 10 BTU per pound of air and to reach and to maintain said comfortable level.

51. The system of claim 50 further comprising vapor compression cycle cooling means for reducing the temperature of said cooling fluid to a temperature substantially lower than the freezing point of water, and means for delivering said cooling fluid to said first and second fluid-to-air heat exchangers.

52. The system of claim 50 wherein said first and said second heat exchanger means, and said cool air delivery means are mounted on an aircraft passenger-loading bridger adjacent to said parked aircraft.

53. The system of claim 50 wherein said control means for said first and second fluid-to-air heat exchanger means maintain the exit air temperature at the desired level and wherein said blower drives air through both said first and second heat exchanger means and into said parked aircraft through said external air inlet.

54. The system of claim 50 wherein said first and said second fluid-to-air heat exchangers are tube and fin heat exchangers.

55. The system of claim 50 wherein said cooling system is ground-installed.

56. The system of claim 50 wherein said delivering means delivers cool air to said passenger cabin at a rate sufficiently low to minimize noise in said passenger cabin caused by the flow of cool air through said air ductway means.

57. A method for maintaining the temperature and the humidity of the passenger cabin of a parked aircraft at a level comfortable to passengers while the aircraft is parked, said aircrafting having an external air inlet for introducing cooling air into air ductways communicating with said passenger cabin, comprising the steps of:

(a) cooling the temperature of air derived from outside said aircraft with heat transfer fluid having a temperature below the freezing point of water, using cooling means located external to said aircraft, thus removing a substantial quantity of water from said air; and

(b) delivering, for a time sufficient to reach and maintain said comfortable level, the cooled air from step (a) through air transport means to said air inlet and through said air ductways to said passenger cabin to remove heat from said air transport means and said passenger cabin combined at a rate of more than 10 BTU per pound of air delivered.

58. The method of claim 57 wherein said comfortable level includes maintaining the temperature and humidity in said passenger cabin within the ASHRAE-defined personal comfort zone.

59. The method of claim 57 wherein said cooling and said delivering steps are effected by means adapted to be mounted on an aircraft passenger-loading bridge.

60. The method of claim 57 wherein the temperature of the air delivered to said aircraft is either above or below the freezing point of water.

61. The method of claim 57 wherein said comfortable level in said passenger cabin includes a temperature of about 75°

F.

62. The method of claim 57 further comprising using vapor compression cycle cooling means as said cooling means.

63. The method of claim 57 further comprising carrying out said delivering of cooled air at a rate sufficiently low to minimize noise in said passenger cabin caused by air passing through said air ductways into said passenger cabin.

64. A method for maintaining the temperature and the humidity of the passenger cabin of a parked aircraft at a level comfortable to passengers while the aircraft is parked, said aircraft having an external air inlet for introducing cooling air into air ductways communicating with said passenger cabin, comprising th step of:

(a) cooling the temperature of air derived from outside said aircraft to a temperature which is below the freezing point of water, using cooling means located external to said aircraft, thus removing a substantial quantity of water from said air; and

(b) delivering, for a time sufficient to reach and maintain said comfortable level, the cool air from step (a) through air transport means to said air inlet and through said air ductways to said passenger cabin to remove heat from said air transport means and said passenger cabin combined at a rate of more than 10 BTU per pound of air delivered.

65. The method of claim 64 wherein said comfortable level includes maintaining the temperature and humidity in said passenger cabin within the ASHRAE-defined personal comfort zone.

66. The method of claim 64 wherein said cooling and said delivering steps are effected by means adapted to be mounted on an aircraft passenger-loading bridge.

67. The method of claim 64 wherein the temeprature of the air delivered to said aircraft is either above or below the freezing point of water.

68. The method of claim 64 wherein said comfortable level in said passenger cabin includes a temperature of abaout 75°

F.

69. The method of claim 64 further comprising using vapor compression cycle cooling means as said cooling means.

70. The method of claim 64 further comprising carrying out said delivering of cooled air at a rate sufficiently low to minimize noise in said passenger cabin caused by air passing through said air ductways into said passenger cabin.

71. A system for maintaining the temperature of the passenger cabin of a parked aircraft at a level comfortable to passengers while said aircraft is parked, said aircraft having external air inlet means and air ductway means communicating with said passenger cabin, said system comprising:

(a) fluid-to-air heat exchanger means and associated control means for cooling air from outside said aircraft with a heat transfer fluid having a temperature which is below the freezing point of water and for removing a substantial quantity of water from said air; and

(b) means for delivering the cooled, dry air through air delivery means, said air inlet, and said air ductway means to said passenger cabin for a time sufficient to reach and maintain said comfortable level and to remove heat from said transport means in said passenger cabin combined at a rate of more than 10 BTU per pound of delivered air.

72. The system of claim 71 further comprising vapor compression cycle cooling means for reducing the temperature of said cooling fluid to a temperature which is below the freezing point of water.

73. The system of claim 71 wherein said fluid-to-air heat exchanger means and said air delivery means are mounted on an aircraft passenger-loading bridge adjacent to said parked aircraft.

74. The system of claim 71 wherein said cooling system is ground-installed.

75. The system of claim 71 wherein said delivering means delivers cool air to said passenger cabin at a rate sufficiently low to minimize noise in said passenger cabin.

76. A system for maintaining the temperature of the passenger cabin of a parked aircraft at a level comfortable to passengers while said aircraft is parked, said aircraft having external air inlet means and air ductway means communicating with said passenger cabin, said system comprising:

(a) fluid-to-air heat exchanger means and associated control means for cooling air from outside said aircraft to a temperature which is below the freezing point of water and for removing a substantial quantity of water from said air; and

(b) means for delivery the cooled, dry air through air delivery means, said air inlet, and said air ductway means to said passenger cabin for a time sufficient to reach and maintain said comfortable level and to remove heat from said transport means in said passenger cabin combined at a rate of more than 10 BTU per pound of delivered air.

77. The system of claim 76 further comprising vapor compression cycle cooling means for reducing the temperature of said cooling fluid to a temperature which is below the freezing point water.

78. The system of claim 77 wherein said heat exchanger means and said cool air delivery means are mounted on an aircraft passenger-loading bridge adjacent to said parked aircraft.

79. The system of claim 77 wherein said cooling system is ground-installed.

80. The system of claim 77 wherein said delivering means delivers cool air to said passenger cabin at a rate sufficiently low to minimize noise in said passenger cabin.