Patent ID: 9233756
Filing Date: 2016-01-12
CPC Classification: B64D

Claim Text:
1. A method for controlling a degree of oxygen/nitrogen shift of incoming air in response to a partial pressure of oxygen in areas of an aircraft, said method comprising: separating oxygen from ambient air onboard the aircraft to establish a high-concentration oxygen supply and separating nitrogen from the ambient air onboard the aircraft to establish a high-concentration nitrogen supply; determining that an increased oxygen concentration is desired in an occupant cabin, and dispensing an oxygen flow from the high-concentration oxygen supply to the occupant cabin of the aircraft to increase a level of oxygen concentration within the occupant cabin to a level greater than a naturally-occurring partial pressure of oxygen at an experienced internal cabin pressure; dispensing a nitrogen flow from the high-concentration nitrogen supply to a fire-susceptible, internal non-habitable region of the aircraft to decrease a capability for an atmosphere therein to support combustion; and determining that reduced oxygen concentration is desired in the occupant cabin; and dispensing into the occupant cabin nitrogen from the high-concentration nitrogen supply, thereby diluting the oxygen concentration in the occupant cabin.