Abstract:
Incoming air system for passengers in a passenger compartment, in which the supply duct does not have to be reconstructed if the seat configuration is altered. This is provided by means of an air distribution element, which is continuous in the longitudinal direction of the aircraft and which comprises openings at defined positions which are adapted to possible seat layouts. Openings which are not required are sealed, for example by means of a selection element which encloses the air distribution element and is slitted on one side.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/EP2011/051057, filed Jan. 26, 2011, published in German, which claims the priority of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/306,198, filed Feb. 19, 2010, and of German Patent Application No. 10 2010 008 626.6 filed Feb. 19, 2010, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to an incoming air system for passengers in a passenger compartment of for example an aircraft. In particular, the invention relates to a system for distributing incoming air for individually supplying passengers. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A system is known from DE 10 2008 026 093 A1 for ventilating an aircraft cabin comprising an air delivery pipe, which is connected to an air source, and a plurality of air distribution lines, which branch off from the air delivery pipe. This system is adapted for delivering at least part of the air in the aircraft cabin to air outlets which are arranged in a distributed manner. 
         [0004]    DE 10 2007 014 406 B3 discloses a supply duct comprising an air distribution system and having an elongate housing, a hollow profile which extends in the longitudinal direction of the housing, and at least one air shower comprising an air inlet and at least one air outlet. A plurality of perforation openings are formed in a generated surface of the hollow profile. The air shower is configured in such a way that it lies tightly against the generated surface of the hollow profile in a region of the air inlet. Perforation openings which discharge in an air inlet of an air shower can be sealed off by means of an adhered adhesive film. The supply duct makes variable positioning of air showers possible along the longitudinal direction of the supply duct. 
         [0005]    However, in air distribution systems of this type, there is the problem that the air showers have to be adapted to the respective seat positions, and this presents a major obstacle to installation when fitting and refitting the cabin. This greatly restricts the flexibility of the cabin furnishing, since the aircraft construction documents and system provisions (connection points) have to be fixed at a very early definition time. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    An aspect of the invention is to provide an incoming air system which can easily be adapted to an altered seat layout. 
         [0007]    In general, an incoming air system for passengers according to an embodiment of the invention comprises an air distribution element and a selection element. On one side, the air distribution element comprises a row of openings, and on the other side, the selection element is of a configuration which makes it possible to lock and release this row of openings. The air distribution element and the selection element are movable relative to one another in such a way that an air current through the plurality of openings is made possible or blocked in accordance with the positioning of the air distribution element and the selection element relative to one another. 
         [0008]    In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the air distribution element comprises at least two rows of openings, the mutual spacing of the openings in one row being different from the mutual spacing of the openings in the other row. 
         [0009]    Preferably, the spacing between two openings in a row is selected in such a way that it corresponds to a possible seat spacing, in such a way that, when this row of openings is released by means of the selection element, each opening is released above a row of seats, and the passengers of each individual row of seats can be supplied with air. 
         [0010]    A second row of openings may have a spacing between the respective openings which corresponds to a different seat spacing or seat layout. In this way, in accordance with the position of the air distribution element and the selection element relative to one another, an air current through the openings of one of the rows can be made possible whilst the openings of the other rows are covered and a corresponding airflow is thus blocked. 
         [0011]    As soon as the seat layout in a passenger compartment of for example an aircraft is altered, merely an alteration in the position of the air distribution element relative to the selection element is required so as to adapt the incoming air system to the altered seat layout. 
         [0012]    In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the openings of a row are arranged along a longitudinal direction of the air distribution element. 
         [0013]    The incoming air system according to an embodiment of the invention may further comprise an air preparation unit, which can bring air, which is prepared in accordance with the specific configuration of the air distribution element or of the selection element, that is to say air having for example a desired air humidity and temperature, and which may also be filtered, into the air distribution element or the selection element. 
         [0014]    The incoming air system according to an embodiment of the invention may further comprise a plurality of passenger supply units, which are arranged in such a way that they are each allocated to an opening of the row of openings. Conventionally, passenger supply units of this type comprise air nozzles, which can be opened and closed and of which the orientation can be changed. 
         [0015]    When the air distribution element and the selection element are arranged relative to one another in such a way as to release the row of openings having a spacing between the respective openings which corresponds to the spacing between two rows of seats in a specific seat layout, prepared air can be delivered selectively to a respective passenger. 
         [0016]    In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the incoming air system is used in an aircraft to supply the passengers with individual incoming air. In this context, it should be noted that the incoming air system may also be used in any desired passenger transport means, such as in a bus, a railway carriage or a ship. 
         [0017]    The above-described aspects and further aspects, features and advantages of the invention may also be taken from the examples of the embodiments which are described in the following with reference to the appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a longitudinal sectional drawing of an aircraft passenger compartment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional drawing of an aircraft passenger compartment comprising an incoming air system according to the invention above the rows of seats. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3   a  shows an air distribution element in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3   b  shows an air distribution element which is mounted in a selection element. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  shows an incoming air system in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  shows an incoming air system in accordance with another further embodiment of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a schematic drawing of an air distribution element according to the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  shows an incoming air system in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  shows an incoming air system according to the invention comprising a transition profile. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  shows an incoming air system according to the invention comprising a plurality of passenger supply units. 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  shows an incoming air system according to the invention comprising a displaceable passenger supply unit. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]    An incoming air system according to the invention comprises a duct, which is continuous in the longitudinal direction, for supplying the passengers with incoming air, comprising openings or outlets of which the position can be changed. As a result, the passengers are supplied with introduced air in every possible seat arrangement, without the device having to be restructured. The duct may be in the form of an endless profile, or else may be pre-mounted on the hatrack. No infill panels, and thus no new parts for refitting, are required. 
         [0030]    A plurality of rows of openings may be provided, each having different spacings between the individual openings. Openings which are not required are locked, for example by means of a further pipe which encloses the air line. By means of a slit in the further pipe, a particular row of openings can be selectively left open. By rotating the air line, for example in a pneumatically controlled manner, it is possible to switch from a row comprising openings at a first spacing to another row comprising openings at a different spacing. Only particular openings are released, which connect to fixed or displaceably adjustable air nozzles or to preset simple air outlets. 
         [0031]    As a result of the limited number of possible seat spacings, there are at most two air outlets per hat rack which are required. Thus, with a spacing of the air outlets of approximately 8 inches (20.32 cm), any seat configuration can be supplied. The required air outlets can be controlled individually by means of the air line having circumferential holes and covering, as is illustrated and described in the following. 
         [0032]      FIG. 1  is a longitudinal section through a passenger compartment of an aircraft. A plurality of rows of seats are arranged in the passenger compartment  10 . Hat racks or luggage compartments  20 , as well as passenger supply units  30  for supplying the passengers with signals, information, electrical or electronic terminals and fresh air, are located above the rows of seats. As is shown in  FIG. 1 , air nozzles  400  which are allocated to each individual row of seats are provided, and are arranged on the passenger supply duct  30  at a corresponding mutual spacing. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  is a cross-section through a passenger compartment of an aircraft. In the passenger compartment  10 , luggage compartments  20  and passenger supply ducts  30  are shown above the seats. Inside the passenger supply duct  30 , an example incoming air system according to the invention is shown (in particular in Detail X). The incoming air system comprises an air preparation unit  40 , an air distribution element  100 , a selection element  200 , a transition profile  300  and an air nozzle  400  which is inserted into a lining part  20 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 3   a  shows an air distribution element  100  of an incoming air system according to the invention, the air distribution element being formed as a pipe and comprising a honeycombed internal structure, through which air can be passed to the openings  110  in the outer wall of the pipe. 
         [0035]      FIG. 3   b  shows an incoming air system according to the invention, the air distribution element  100  being configured as a pipe and the selection element comprising a slit, which corresponds to a row of openings in such a way that only a particular row of openings is released by the slit in the selection element. The air distribution element is arranged movably in the selection element, in such a way that by rotating the air distribution element  100  in the direction of the arrow D, a desired row of openings  110  can be orientated relative to the slit in the selection element  200 . 
         [0036]    In accordance with this embodiment, air is blown in the direction of the arrow L into an end face of the air distribution element  100 . This air only exits the air distribution element  100  through the openings  110  which are not covered by the selection element  200 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 4  shows an incoming air system according to the invention, the air distribution element  100  being formed as a pipe and the selection element also comprising a slit which corresponds to a row of openings, the air distribution element  100  being arranged movably about the selection element  200  in this case. 
         [0038]    In accordance with this embodiment, air is blown into the selection element  200  at an end face thereof, this air only being able to escape through the slit in the selection element  200  again at the points at which an opening  110  of the air distribution element  100  is also arranged. 
         [0039]      FIG. 5  shows an incoming air system of a further embodiment according to the invention, the air distribution element being formed as a plate and the selection element also comprising a slit. The air distribution element  100  is arranged movably in front of the slit  210  of the selection element  200 . In this case too, air is blown into the selection element  200 , but this air can only escape from the slit in places where openings  110  of the air distribution element  100  are also arranged. By displacing the air distribution element  100  in the direction of the arrow E, transverse to the longitudinal direction of the selection element  200 , it is possible to switch between a plurality of rows of openings. 
         [0040]      FIG. 6  is a schematic drawing of an air distribution element  100  comprising a plurality of rows R 1 , R 2  and R 3  of openings  110 . In this exemplary drawing, the openings  110  of the row R 1  are arranged at a mutual spacing A 1  in each case. The openings  110  of the row R 2  are arranged at a mutual spacing A 2 . The openings  110  of the row R 3  are arranged at a mutual spacing A 3 . In this example, the spacing A 1  is smaller than the spacing A 2 , which in turn is smaller than the spacing A 3 . The drawing of  FIG. 6  is particularly adapted for illustrating the arrangement of a plurality of rows of openings in an air distribution element  100 . 
         [0041]    An arrangement of this type of openings  110  could for example be formed in a plate in an air distribution element in accordance with the embodiment which is shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0042]    If a generated surface of a pipe is formed from the arrangement of rows of openings which is shown in a plane in  FIG. 6 , an air distribution element, such as is shown for example in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , can be provided. 
         [0043]      FIG. 7  shows a further embodiment in accordance with the invention, the air distribution element  100  being formed as a strand-cast profile comprising a plurality of chambers which are formed in the longitudinal direction. A row of openings is provided in the outer wall of a particular chamber. In accordance with this embodiment, the selection element  200  is arranged at the air inlet of the air distribution element  100  and is adapted for passing the airflow into a particular chamber and to cover up the other chambers. In this way, it can be made possible for air to exit through openings in the outer wall of a particular chamber. By rotating the air distribution element  100  in the direction of the arrow D relative to the selection element  200 , the airflow can be provided by way of a different chamber, which is equipped with a row of holes which are arranged at a larger or smaller relative spacing. 
         [0044]    It is noted that other variants of the embodiments which are shown by way of example in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  7  can be understood and carried out by a person skilled in the art when implementing the claimed invention. 
         [0045]      FIG. 8  shows an air distribution element  100  and a selection element  200 . At the position of the slit in the selection element  200 , an elongate profile element  300  is shown, which consists of a row of air apertures  310 . The profile element  300  may be configured in such a way that the air apertures  310  are arranged at a minimum mutual spacing, in such a way that an air aperture  310  is formed in a manner corresponding to all of the openings  110  in the air distribution element  100 . As is shown in  FIG. 8 , in a particular combination, air L only exits in individual air apertures at the mutual spacing A. 
         [0046]    Depending on the available space within the passenger supply duct  30 , it may be advantageous to provide a profile element  300  between the air distribution element and selection element and an air nozzle. 
         [0047]    As is shown in  FIG. 9 , air nozzles  400  for example may be provided, so as to make it possible to control the air from the openings of the air distribution element  100  in a manner which is comfortable for a passenger. The air nozzles  400  in  FIG. 9  are ball elements, which can be pivoted and rotated in the directions of the arrows F so as to set a desired outflow direction for the air. 
         [0048]    Panels  410  are provided between the air nozzles  400  as lining elements. 
         [0049]      FIG. 10  shows an air nozzle  420  in accordance with another embodiment. This air nozzle  420  is distinguished by the fact that it is formed so as to be displaceable along the air distribution element in the direction of the arrow G. If the seat layout is restructured, the position of the air nozzle can be adapted by simple displacement thereof, by means of an air nozzle  420  corresponding to the position of the openings of another row having a greater spacing between the respective openings. 
         [0050]    Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the above description, it is noted that illustrations and descriptions of this type are merely illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive, in such a way that the invention is not limited by the disclosed embodiments. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude the possibility of other elements and the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility of a plurality. 
         [0051]    The fact that particular features may be mentioned in different dependent claims does not, in itself, limit the subject-matter of the invention. Combinations of these features may also advantageously be used. The reference numerals in the claims are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
           10  passenger compartment 
           20  hat rack 
           30  passenger supply duct 
           40  air preparation unit 
           100  air distribution unit 
           110  openings 
           120  duct 
           200  selection element 
           210  slit 
           300  profile element 
           310  air aperture 
           400  air nozzle 
           410  panel 
           420  displaceable air nozzle 
         R 1 , R 2 , R 3  row 
         A 1 , A 2 , A 3  spacing between openings of one row 
         D, E, F, G movement directions 
         L airflow