APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AIRFLOW MODIFICATION IN VEHICLES

Provided is a passenger service unit for an aircraft. The passenger service unit includes a panel body having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and at least two air passages extending through the panel body, at least one light controllable by a passenger, and at least two air vents extending from the first surface of the panel body at respective fixed angles, each of the at least two air vents configured to receive air from a respective one of the at least two air passages.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to airflow modification, and more particularly to an apparatus for modifying airflow in an aircraft cabin.

BACKGROUND

Airborne disease transmission increases in densely packed aircraft cabins due to the aerosolization of infectious agents that disperse widely and remain in the air for varying periods, depending on environmental conditions. Although most modern aircraft cabins are equipped with High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, the path of exhaled aerosol droplets contributes to the potential for virus spread before reaching the air outlets and passing through the HEPA filters. Passengers seated within close proximity of an infected passenger are at increased risk of airborne pathogen transmission.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to an aspect, a passenger service unit is provided that includes a panel body having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and at least two air passages extending through the panel body, at least one light controllable by a passenger, and at least two air vents extending from the first surface of the panel body at respective fixed angles, each of the at least two air vents configured to receive air from a respective one of the at least two air passages.

The at least two air vents may be integrally formed with the panel body.

Each of the at least two air vents may include a pair of fins, and wherein each fin is substantially parallel to the other fin in the respective pair of fins.

The at least two air vents may include a first air vent extending from the first surface at a first angle and a second air vent extending from the first surface at a second angle, and the first and second angles may be supplementary angles.

The at least one light may include a first light, a second light, and a third light, the at least two air passages may include a first air passage, a second air passage, a third air passage, and a fourth air passage, and the at least two air vents may include a first air vent, a second air vent, a third air vent, and a fourth air vent.

The first and second air vents may be on opposite sides of the first light, the second and third air vents may be on opposite sides of the second light, and the third and fourth air vents may be on opposite sides of the third light.

The first, second, and third lights and the first, second, third, and fourth air vents may be aligned in a first direction along a plane of the panel body.

The first, second, and third lights may be aligned in a first direction along a plane of the body, and the first, second, third, and fourth air vents may be aligned in the first direction and offset from the first, second and third lights in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

The first air vent, second air vent, third air vent, and fourth air vent may extend from the first surface at a first angle, a second angle, a third angle, and a fourth angle respectively, the first and fourth angles may be supplementary angles, and the second and third angles may be supplementary angles.

The first and second angles may be obtuse, the first angle may be greater than the second angle, and the third angle may be greater than the fourth angle.

The passenger service unit panel may further include a plenum coupled to the second surface of the panel body surrounding the at least two air passages, wherein the plenum may include an inlet configured to be coupled to a hose for receiving air to be directed to the at least two air passages.

The panel body may include a projection projecting from the second surface around the at least two air passages, and the plenum may be coupled to the projection.

The panel body may further include at least one light casing for receiving the at least one light, and the plenum may surround the at least one light casing.

The passenger service unit panel may further include a wire connector for connecting to wires connected to the at least one light, wherein the plenum includes a slot through which the wire connector extends.

The passenger service unit panel may further include at least one interface control extending from the first surface of the panel body, at least one passenger notification indicator on the first surface of the panel body, at least one speaker coupled to the panel body, and at least one oxygen mask panel coupled to the panel body.

According to another aspect, a passenger service unit panel may include a panel body having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a first light, a second light, and a third light, and a first air vent, a second air vent, a third air vent, and a fourth air vent, each air vent extending from the first surface of the panel body at a respective fixed angle, wherein the first and second air vents are on opposite sides of the first light, the second and third air vents are on opposite sides of the second light, and the third and fourth air vents are on opposite sides of the third light.

The first, second, and third lights and the first, second, third, and fourth air vents may be aligned in a first direction along a plane of the panel body.

The first, second, and third lights may be aligned in a first direction along a plane of the body, and the first, second, third, and fourth air vents may be aligned in the first direction and offset from the first, second and third lights in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

According to still another aspect, a passenger service unit panel may include a panel body having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, at least two lights, at least one interface control at the first surface of the panel body for controlling the at least two lights, at least one passenger notification indicator at first surface of the panel body, at least one speaker coupled to the panel body, at least one oxygen mask panel coupled to the panel body, and at least three air vents extending from the first surface of the panel body at respective fixed angles.

The at least two lights and the at least three air vents may be aligned in a first direction along a plane of the panel body.

The foregoing and other features of the application are described below with reference to the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The principles of the present application relate to modifying airflow in an aircraft cabin and thus will be described below in this context. It will be appreciated that the principles of the application may be applicable to modifying airflow in other vehicles and spaces, such as buses, trains, waiting rooms, etc.

Turning initially toFIG.1, an exemplary airflow assembly is illustrated at reference numeral10. The airflow assembly can be integrated into a Passenger Service Unit (PSU), either as a new assembly or a retrofit, for example replacing a traditional gasper assembly providing air to each seat in a row of the aircraft cabin. The airflow assembly10includes an air distributor12configured to be coupled to a gasper hose of the aircraft, and a panel14attached to the air distributor12. The panel14may be attached to the PSU or ceiling of the aircraft in a suitable manner, such as with one or more fasteners.

Turning additionally toFIGS.2-6, the air distributor12, which is shown as being transparent but may be opaque for example, includes a body20having an inlet22configured to be coupled to the gasper hose and an outlet24formed at a bottom of the air distributor12for distributing air along a length of the air distributor12to deliver air to various outlets in the panel14. The air distributor12also includes a projection26projecting outward from a side of the body20and downward below a bottom of the body20to define with the body20a slot28for connecting to the panel14. The slot28may extend around a perimeter of the air distributor12for sealing to the panel14. In an embodiment, a gasket or other suitable sealing device may be provided in the slot28for sealing the air distributor12to the panel14.

Referring now to the panel14in detail, the panel14includes a base30, an outer projection32extending upward from the base30around a perimeter thereof, and a central projection34projecting from the base30around which the air distributor12is received. The central projection34includes an inwardly curved wall36extending upward from the base30and a projection38extending upward from and around a periphery of the inwardly curved wall36. The projection38is received in the slot28of the air distributor12, and the air distributor12and the panel14may be coupled in a suitable manner, such as by adhesive, welding, etc. The central projection34also includes an air outlet region40having an upper surface42toward which the air from the air distributor12is directed, and a lower curved surface44extending downward toward the base30. A cavity46is formed between the base30, the curved wall36, and the lower curved surface44such that the lower curved surface44is recessed relative to the base30to maintain the appearance of the aircraft interior. The profile of the panel14also serves to reduce noise caused by air flowing from the air distributor12and through the panel14.

Turning additionally toFIGS.7and8, the air outlet region40includes one or more air passages extending therethrough from the upper surface42to the lower curved surface44. The upper surface42may include respective curved surfaces forming an inlet end of each of the one or more air passages. For example, the upper surface42may include two converging curved surfaces that form each inlet end.

As shown, the air outlet region40includes a plurality of the air passages, for example four air passages50,52,54, and56. The air passages50,52,54, and56each have an outlet end that directs air to respective air vents60,62,64, and66that direct the air to predetermined positions in the cabin to create laminar air curtains. As shown, the air vents60and66are outwardly angled at a first angle A1and a second angle A2respectively relative to a line extending along a plane of the base30to direct the air outwardly and downwardly, and the air vents62and64are outwardly angled at a third angle A3and a fourth angle A4respectively to direct the air substantially downwardly. The first and second angles A1and A2may be supplementary angles (angles with a sum of one hundred eighty degrees) or substantially supplementary angles, and the third and fourth angles A3and A4may be supplementary angles or substantially supplementary. As shown, the first angle A1and the third angle A3are obtuse and the second angle A2and the fourth angle A4are acute, where the first angle A1is larger than the third angle A3and the fourth angle A4is larger than the second angle A2. As shown, the second and third angles A2and A3may be similar to direct air substantially downward.

For example, the air vent60may direct the air downwardly at the first angle to create an air curtain between a window seat passenger and a wall of the aircraft, the air vent62may direct the air downwardly at the third angle to create an air curtain between a middle seat passenger and the window seat passenger, the air vent64may direct air downwardly at the fourth angle to create an air curtain between the middle seat passenger and an aisle passenger, and the air vent66may direct air downwardly at the second angle to create an air curtain between the aisle seat passenger and the aisle.

As noted above, the airflow assembly10can be installed during new installation or as a retrofit to a traditional gasper assembly. Once installed, the airflow assembly will be integrated in the PSU to provide a visible safety cue to passengers without detracting from the cabin design, and provide laminar air curtains to provide for predetermined airflow within the cabin.

Turning now toFIGS.9and10, an exemplary PSU panel is illustrated at reference numeral108. The PSU panel108can be integrated into an aircraft either as a new assembly or a retrofit, for example replacing a traditional PSU panel to provide the functionality associated with a PSU panel while providing the below described air curtains for passengers. The PSU panel108may be attached to the ceiling of the aircraft in a suitable manner, such as with one or more fasteners, and may be made of a suitable material such as an amorphous thermoplastic polyetherimide (PEI) resin that provides flame resistance, low smoke emission, high strength, and broad chemical resistance. In an embodiment, the PEI may be an antimicrobial PEI. It will be appreciated that the PSU panel may be made of other suitable materials, such as polycarbonate, polyurethane, thermoplastic polyurethane, polymer blends, etc.

The PSU panel108includes a panel body110having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, one or more lights112recessed in the first surface, one or more passenger interface controls on the first surface, such as a light control114and an attendant-call control116, a recessed area118recessed in the first surface having a display for passenger notification indicators, such as a no-smoking indicator120and a fasten seatbelt indicator122, a speaker124coupled to the panel body110, an oxygen mask panel126coupled to the panel body, and one or more air vents128-134extending from the first surface at fixed angles. The PSU panel108may include one light112per passenger, and as shown three lights112a,112b, and112c, a light control114per light112, and a plurality of air vents, such as air vents128,130,132, and134. The air vents128-134may be coupled to the panel body110in a suitable manner, or integrally formed as shown. In another example, for example in an aircraft configuration with two seats, the PSU panel108may include two lights and three air vents.

The PSU panel108includes a light casing140encasing each light112, wires142connected to each light112, and a wire connector144to which the wires142are connected. The light casings140may be coupled to the body110in a suitable manner or may be integrally formed with the body as shown forming a recessed areas for receiving each light112. The lights112may be movable relative to the panel body110by a passenger to adjust the direction of the light, and the light casings140include a curved profile to not disrupt airflow through the panel108.

Turning additionally toFIGS.11-14, the PSU panel108also includes an air passage146,148,150, and152through the body110corresponding to each air vent128-134, a projection154protecting upward from a rear of the panel body110around the light casings140, wires142, and the air passages146-152, a plenum156coupled to the projection154, and an oxygen mask casing158. The oxygen mask casing158may be coupled to the panel body110in a suitable manner or integrally formed with the panel body110.

Turning additionally toFIG.15, the plenum156, which is shown as being transparent but may be opaque for example, may be coupled to the projection154in a suitable manner, such as by a snap fit connection. In an embodiment, sealant or a suitable seal may be provided between the plenum156and the projection154to prevent airflow between the projection154and plenum156. The plenum156includes an inlet160configured to be coupled to the gasper hose in a suitable manner, and a slot162through which the wire connector144extends to allow for electrical connection to the wire connector144and for maintenance of the lights112. The wire connector144and plenum156may be sealed to one another in a suitable manner. The plenum156is coupled to the projection154enclosing the light casings140, the wires142, and the air passages146-152and includes a curved profile for directing the airflow from the inlet160to the air passages146-152.

Air flows into the plenum156though the inlet160and to each air passage146,148,150, and152, where it then exits the PSU panel108through the air vents128,130,132, and134. The air vents128-134may each be formed by a pair of fins170-176respectively, where each fin is parallel or substantially parallel to the other fin in the respective pair of fins to direct the air from the air passages146-152at predetermined angles. As shown, the air vents128-134are provided on each side of each light112and aligned with the plurality of lights112in a first direction D1along a plane of the panel body110. For example, the air vents128and130are on opposite sides of the light112a, the air vents130and132are on opposite sides of the light112b, and the air vents132and134are on opposite sides of the light112c. As shown inFIG.11, the air vents128-134and the lights112a-care aligned along a line L1such that the line L1extends through centers of the air vents128-134and the lights112a-c. By aligning the air vents128-134and the lights112, space is conserved on the PSU panel108while providing for the accessibility of all features.

The air vents128-134are angled at fixed angles to direct air to predetermined positions in the cabin creating laminar air curtains. The air vents128and134are outwardly angled at a fifth angle A5and a sixth angle A6respectively relative to a line extending along a plane of the panel body110to direct the air outwardly and downwardly, and the air vents130and132are outwardly angled at a seventh angle A7and an eighth angle A8respectively to direct the air substantially downwardly. The fifth and sixth angles A5and A6may be supplementary angles or they may be substantially supplementary angles, and the seventh and eighth angles A7and A8may be supplementary angles or they may be substantially supplementary. As shown, the fifth angle A5and the seventh angle A7are obtuse and the sixth angle A6and the eighth angle A8are acute, where the fifth angle A5is larger than the seventh angle A7and the eighth angle A8is larger than the sixth angle A6. As shown, the seventh and eighth angles A7and A8may be similar to direct air substantially downward. For example, the air vent128may direct the air downwardly at the fifth angle A5to create an air curtain between a window seat passenger and a wall of the aircraft, the air vent130may direct the air downwardly at the seventh angle A7to create an air curtain between a middle seat passenger and the window seat passenger, the air vent132may direct air downwardly at the eighth angle A8to create an air curtain between the middle seat passenger and an aisle passenger, and the air vent134may direct air downwardly at the sixth angle A6to create an air curtain between the aisle seat passenger and the aisle.

Turning now toFIG.16, an exemplary embodiment of the PSU panel is shown at208. The PSU panel208is substantially the same as the above-referenced PSU panel108, and consequently the same reference numerals but indexed by100are used to denote structures corresponding to similar structures in the PSU panels. In addition, the foregoing description of the PSU panel108is equally applicable to the PSU panel208except as noted below.

The PSU panel208includes a panel body210, one or more lights on its front and as shown three lights212a-212c, one or more passenger interface controls, such as a light control214and an attendant-call control216, a recessed area218having a display for passenger notification indicators, such as a no-smoking indicator220and a fasten seatbelt indicator222, a speaker224, an oxygen mask panel226, and one or more air vents228,230,232, and234.

Air flows into a plenum though an inlet and to each of a plurality of air passages corresponding to a respective one of the air vents228-234, and then exits the PSU panel208through the air vents228-234. As shown, the three lights212a-212care aligned in a second direction D2along a plane of the body and the air vents228-234are aligned in the second direction D2but offset from the lights212a-212cin a third direction D3substantially perpendicular to the second direction D2so as to be parallel to the lights. For example, the lights212a-care aligned along a line L2such that the line L2extends through centers of the lights212a-cand the air vents228-234are aligned along a line L3parallel to line L2such that line L3extends through centers of the air vents228-234. The air vents228-234may be provided on each side of each light212but offset in the third direction. By offsetting the air vents228-134and the lights212, the plenum can be provided over the air passages and the light casings and wires can be provided outside the plenum.

The air vents228-234are angled at fixed angles to direct air to predetermined positions in the cabin creating laminar air curtains. The air vents228and234are outwardly angled at a ninth angle A9and a tenth angle A10respectively relative to a line extending along a plane of the panel body210to direct the air outwardly and downwardly, and the air vents230and232are outwardly angled at a eleventh angle A11and a twelfth angle A12respectively to direct the air substantially downwardly. The ninth and tenth angles A9and A10may be supplementary angles or they may be substantially supplementary angles, and the eleventh and twelfth angles A11and A12may be supplementary angles or they may be substantially supplementary. As shown, the ninth angle A9and the eleventh angle A11are obtuse and the tenth angle A10and the twelfth angle A12are acute, where the ninth angle A9is larger than the eleventh angle A11and the twelfth angle A12is larger than the tenth angle A10. As shown, the eleventh and twelfth angles A11and A12may be similar to direct air substantially downward. For example, the air vent228may direct the air downwardly at the ninth angle A9to create an air curtain between a window seat passenger and a wall of the aircraft, the air vent230may direct the air downwardly at the eleventh angle A11to create an air curtain between a middle seat passenger and the window seat passenger, the air vent232may direct air downwardly at the twelfth angle A12to create an air curtain between the middle seat passenger and an aisle passenger, and the air vent234may direct air downwardly at the tenth angle A10to create an air curtain between the aisle seat passenger and the aisle.

Although certain embodiments have been shown and described, it is understood that equivalents and modifications falling within the scope of the appended claims will occur to others who are skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification.