On-board inert gas generation system with air separation module temperature control

• US 7,828,874 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2008
• Issued: 11/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Surawski, Eric, Hurst, James P., Falke, Brigitte B.
• Primary Examiner(s): LAWRENCE JR, FRANK M
• Application Number:
  US12/209,658
• Publication Number:
  US 20100064886A1
• Time in Patent Office: 788 Days
• Field of Search: 95/14, 95/23, 95/47, 95/54, 95/90, 96/4, 961/09, 961/12, 244/135.R
• US Class Current: 95/14
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 37/32 Safety measures not otherwise provided for, e.g. preventing explosive conditions extinguishing or preventing fires in aircraft A62C

Abstract

An on-board inert gas generation system is disclosed that includes an air separation module that is configured to produce nitrogen enriched air from a non-enriched air. The non-enriched air to the air separation module has a desired operating temperature range. A compressor system is in fluid communication with the air separation module. The compressor system is configured to rotate at a speed and provide the non-enriched air to the air separation module. A controller is in communication with the compressor system and is configured to reduce the speed in response to a parameter reaching an undesired value, which would result in a non-enriched air temperature that would exceed the desired operating temperature range. The reduced speed is selected to maintain the non-enriched air temperature within the desired operating temperature range.

Claims

1. An on-board inert gas generation system comprising:

an air separation module configured to produce nitrogen enriched air from non-enriched air, the air separation module having a desired operating temperature range;

a compressor system in fluid communication with the air separation module, the compressor system configured to rotate at a speed and provide the non-enriched air to the air separation module; and

a controller in communication with the compressor system, the controller configured to reduce the speed in response to a parameter reaching an undesired value that would produce a non-enriched air temperature that would exceed the desired operating temperature range, the reduced speed selected to maintain the non-enriched air temperature within the desired operating temperature.

2. The on-board inert gas generation system according to claim 1, wherein the compressor system comprises an electric motor in communication with the controller, which is configured to provide a speed command signal to the electric motor corresponding to the reduced speed.

3. The on-board inert gas generation system according to claim 2, wherein the compressor system includes first and second compressors coupled to the motor, at least one of the first and second compressors providing the non-enriched air.

4. The on-board inert gas generation system according to claim 1, comprising a heat exchanger arranged in fluid communication between the air separation module and the compressor system.

5. The on-board inert gas generation system according to claim 4, comprising a ram air duct housing the heat exchanger and configured to receive a ram airflow.

6. The on-board inert gas generation system according to claim 5, comprising an air speed sensor in communication with the controller and detecting an air speed corresponding to the parameter, the controller providing a speed command signal to the compressor system to reduce the speed in response to the undesired airflow corresponding to the undesired value.

7. The on-board inert gas generation system according to claim 1, comprising a temperature sensor in communication with the controller and detecting the non-enriched air temperature corresponding to the parameter, the controller providing a speed command signal to the compressor system to reduce the speed in response to the non-enriched air temperature corresponding to the undesired value.

8. The on-board inert gas generation system according to claim 1, wherein the desired operating temperature range is approximately 175°

F.-205°

F.

9. A method of managing a feed air temperature entering an air separation module comprising the steps of:

detecting a parameter associated with a temperature of a non-enriched air for an air separation module;

comparing the temperature to a desired operating temperature for the non-enriched air; and

reducing a compressor speed if the temperature exceeds the desired operating temperature.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the parameter corresponds to an airflow across a heat exchanger.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the parameter is an air speed associated with an airflow through a ram air duct.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the parameter is a temperature of the non-enriched air near the air separation module.