Abstract:
A refrigeration system for cooling a plurality of compartments includes a chiller and a duct providing fluid communication between the chiller and a plurality of compartments. The refrigeration system additionally includes a plurality of individually controllable fans that individually draw cooling fluid through the duct from the chiller and into a corresponding one of the plurality of compartments. A plurality of sensors monitors the temperature and pressure of the cooling fluid circulating through the chiller. A controller individually controls each of the plurality of individually controlled fans based on the corresponding temperature inside each of the plurality of compartments.
Abstract:
A reconfigurable vent system in fluid communication with an air chiller to deliver chili air to one or more galley food and beverage storage compartments in parallel is reconfigurable to operate in either of an air-through or an air-over orientation. The reconfigurable vent system comprises a vent in fluid communication with the air chiller via a duct and configured to provide the chill air to the one or more galley food and beverage storage compartments. The vent directs the chill air substantially toward the interior of the one or more galley food and beverage storage compartments in the air-through orientation at a first angle, and the vent directs the chili air substantially around the one or more galley food and beverage storage compartments in the air-over orientation at a second angle different from the first angle.
Abstract:
An inrush current protection circuit for a polyphase alternating current power system may include a plurality of current limiting resistors, each of which is electrically coupled in series between a respective one of a plurality of phases of the polyphase alternating current power source and a respective input of a polyphase transformer rectifier unit. The circuit may also include a plurality of power switches, each of which is electrically coupled in parallel with a respective one of the current limiting resistors, such that when each of the power switches is closed, essentially no electrical current flows through the respective current limiting resistor. The circuit may also include a power switch controller configured to control each of the power switches to be open such that an inrush current passes through the respective current limiting resistor rather than the power switch, and to be closed after a time delay has passed.
Abstract:
Embodiments of a storage compartment cooling apparatus include a liquid circulation system configured to circulate a liquid coolant having a temperature lower than an ambient temperature. The embodiments also include a centrifugal fan configured to cause a gas to flow in contact with the liquid circulation system and thereby cool the gas. The centrifugal fan is configured to receive the gas from a direction approximately parallel with an axis of rotation of the fan and output the gas to a direction approximately perpendicular with the axis of rotation of the fan. Embodiments of the apparatus also include a duct configured to direct the gas into contact with the liquid circulation system and through the centrifugal fan.
Abstract:
A hinge assembly for use with a door, in particular, an aircraft door, that enables the door to remain substantially parallel to the fuselage of the aircraft when the door is open and closed. The hinge assembly includes a door support assembly that couples to the door, and a hinge arm assembly. The hinge arm assembly includes a first gear assembly that couples to the fuselage, a second gear assembly that couples the hinge arm assembly to the door support assembly, and a linkage assembly coupled to the first and second gear assemblies. The first and second gear assemblies and linkage assembly cooperate to move the door support assembly and hinge arm assembly with respect to each other to maintain the door substantially parallel to the aircraft when moving the door toward an open position.
Abstract:
A wireless communication system for a vehicle includes a seat or overhead video display unit, a control and audio unit that is associated with and located remotely with respect to the video display unit, a first wireless transceiver associated with the video display unit, a second wireless transceiver associated with the control and audio unit, where the first and second wireless transceivers are linked together for communication. The video display unit receives audiovisual content and splits audio content for transmission to the control unit. The control unit can similarly transmit control and selection information to the video display unit.
Abstract:
A digital depth gauge is provided for measuring a depth of a hole in an object. In one embodiment the gauge includes: a user interface with a display and at least one actuator; a reader shaft with a distal end and a proximal end connected to the user interface; a probe that extends from the distal end of the reader shaft and which includes a tip configured to locate a distal surface of the hole; a sleeve member with a distal end configured to abut a proximal surface of the hole, the sleeve member being coupled with the reader shaft for relative translational and rotational movement; and a sensor interposed between the reader shaft and the sleeve member for measuring relative translational movement between the reader shaft and the sleeve member, hi some embodiments,- the gauge may include a means for aligning elements of the sensor.
Abstract:
A system for providing on-demand video on an aircraft is described. In various implementations, the system includes a first computer that receives broadcast video content, digital video players distributed within a passenger seating area of the aircraft, and a second computer. The second computer receives the video content from the first computer, and provides the video content, on-demand, to a subset of the digital video players. The system also includes a third computer that receives the video content from the first computer, and provides the video content, on-demand, to another subset of the plurality of digital video players. The first computer may provide the video content to the second and third computers using a multicast protocol. The video content may include a live television broadcast or a television channel that was requested by a user of one or more of the digital video players.
Abstract:
A vapor cycle refrigeration system includes a thermoelectric device (TED) as a sub-cooler to sub-cool liquid refrigerant exiting a condenser to increase cooling capacity of an evaporator and pull down temperature within a refrigerated compartment quickly. The TED sub-cooler is turned off after initial temperature pull down and is not operated during steady state operation for maintenance of the compartment temperature.
Abstract:
An optoelectronic device comprising: - a first conductive layer (22), - a second conductive layer (24), - an active layer (26) between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, wherein the active layer comprises a submicrometer size structure of hexagonal type crystals of an element or alloy of elements selected from the carbon group.