Patent ID: 6817576
Filing Date: 2004-11-16
Classification: B60H

Abstract:
An environmental control system for a rest area in an aircraft, comprising: a first air source configured to supply a first volume of air; a first air duct arranged to receive the first volume of air from the first air source and deliver it to the rest area; a sensor configured to determine the amount of the air traveling through the first air duct; a second air duct connected to the first air duct and configured to deliver a second volume of air to the rest area via the first air duct; a valve within the second air duct; and a system controller in communication with the sensor and the valve, whereby when the sensor indicates that the amount of the air traveling through the first duct is below a desired level, the system controller causes the valve to open a sufficient degree to enable at least a portion of the second volume of air to flow to restore air flow above the desired level, wherein the sensor is a pressure sensor, an exhaust ventilation system including an exhaust duct, the exhaust duct being joined to the first air duct; an exhaust shutoff valve configured to control the flow of air from the first duct to the exhaust duct; a supply shutoff valve within the first air duct; and a smoke or fire detector within the rest area and configured to provide a signal to the system controller when the detector detects the presence of smoke or fire in the rest area wherein when the detector detects the presence of smoke or fire the system controller causes the supply shutoff valve to substantially close and the exhaust shutoff valve to open so that air within the rest area is drawn out of the rest area through at least a portion of the first air duct and into the ventilation duct.