Patent Publication Number: US-8979056-B2

Title: Cabin air compressor support bracket

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject matter disclosed herein relates to aircraft environmental control. More specifically, the subject disclosure relates to a support bracket of a cabin air compressor for an aircraft environmental control system. 
     Environmental control systems (ECSs) are utilized on various types of aircraft for several purposes, such as in cooling systems for the aircraft. For example, components of an ECS may be utilized to remove heat from various aircraft lubrication and electrical systems and/or used to condition aircraft cabin air. A cabin air conditioning and temperature control system (CACTCS) is an example of an aircraft ECS that includes air cycle packs supplied with pressurized outside (fresh) air from electric motor-driven cabin air compressors (CACs) which condition fresh air for cabin heating and cooling. The CACTCS provides flow control for modulation of cooling pack air flow, recirculation fans to circulate cabin air, and associated valves and sensors used for system control. 
     The CACTCS may also include a trim air system to provide individual cabin zone temperature control. This includes trim temperature control valves, trim duct heaters and associated sensors. As one example, a CACTCS may provide control of six baseline passenger zones and a flight deck zone. Additional zones, such as a forward cargo zone, a crew zone and/or an attendant zone may be controlled by other ECSs. Recirculation fans may also be provided for additional air flow to the passenger cabin and to ensure that flow at an air distribution nozzle remains constant. 
     Various elements of aircraft ECSs can experience harsh environments including a wide range of temperatures, pressures, and vibrations. Elements of aircraft ECSs must also fit within a compact space and minimize weight while providing adequate strength to handle typical and peak stresses over the anticipated life of the elements. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect, a support bracket for a cabin air compressor assembly is provided. The support bracket includes a cabin air compressor mounting portion formed substantially orthogonal to an access portion and a structural support portion. A cross-support bracket mounting portion is formed at an angle relative to the access portion. An upper lug portion is formed at an angle relative to the access portion and substantially orthogonal to an upper lug. A plurality of cabin air compressor mounting holes is formed in the cabin air compressor mounting portion. The cabin air compressor mounting holes are distributed in an arc configuration along a cabin air compressor mounting hole circle radius. A plurality of lower slotted holes and an upper slotted hole are formed in the cross-support bracket mounting portion. A ratio of a length of longitudinal offset defined between the lower slotted holes and the upper slotted hole to a length of lateral offset between a center of at least one of the lower slotted holes and the upper slotted hole is between 2.47 and 2.91. 
     According to another aspect, a cabin air compressor support assembly is provided. The cabin air compressor support assembly includes a left-hand cabin air compressor support bracket coupled to a cabin air compressor assembly, a cross-support bracket, and an upper three-way mount. The cabin air compressor support assembly also includes a right-hand cabin air compressor support bracket coupled to the cabin air compressor assembly, the cross-support bracket, and a lower three-way mount. The right-hand cabin air compressor support bracket includes a cabin air compressor mounting portion formed substantially orthogonal to an access portion and a structural support portion. A cross-support bracket mounting portion is formed at an angle relative to the access portion. An upper lug portion is formed at an angle relative to the access portion and substantially orthogonal to an upper lug. A plurality of cabin air compressor mounting holes is formed in the cabin air compressor mounting portion. The cabin air compressor mounting holes are distributed in an arc configuration along a cabin air compressor mounting hole circle radius. A plurality of lower slotted holes and an upper slotted hole are formed in the cross-support bracket mounting portion. A ratio of a length of longitudinal offset defined between the lower slotted holes and the upper slotted hole to a length of lateral offset between a center of at least one of the lower slotted holes and the upper slotted hole is between 2.47 and 2.91. 
     According to a further aspect, a method of installing a support bracket in a cabin air conditioning and temperature control system is provided. An upper lug of the support bracket is coupled to a mount of the cabin air conditioning and temperature control system. A cabin air compressor mounting portion of the support bracket is coupled to a cabin air compressor assembly of the cabin air conditioning and temperature control system. A cross-support bracket mounting portion of the support bracket is coupled to a cross-support bracket. The support bracket includes the cabin air compressor mounting portion formed substantially orthogonal to an access portion and a structural support portion. The cross-support bracket mounting portion is formed at an angle relative to the access portion. An upper lug portion is formed at an angle relative to the access portion and substantially orthogonal to the upper lug. A plurality of cabin air compressor mounting holes is formed in the cabin air compressor mounting portion. The cabin air compressor mounting holes are distributed in an arc configuration along a cabin air compressor mounting hole circle radius. A plurality of lower slotted holes and an upper slotted hole are formed in the cross-support bracket mounting portion. A ratio of a length of longitudinal offset defined between the lower slotted holes and the upper slotted hole to a length of lateral offset between a center of at least one of the lower slotted holes and the upper slotted hole is between 2.47 and 2.91. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a partial perspective view of a cabin air conditioning and temperature control system; 
         FIG. 2  is another partial perspective view of the cabin air conditioning and temperature control system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a cabin air compressor support bracket; 
         FIG. 4  is another view of the cabin air compressor support bracket of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a detailed view of a cabin air compressor mounting portion of the cabin air compressor support bracket of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is another view of the cabin air compressor support bracket of  FIG. 3 ; and 
         FIG. 7  is detailed view of a portion of a cross-support bracket mounting portion of the cabin air compressor support bracket of  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  are partial perspective views of a cabin air conditioning and temperature control system (CACTCS)  100 . The CACTCS  100  includes an upper three-way mount  102  with coupling points  104   a  and  104   b . The upper three-way mount  102  may also be coupled to one or more vibration isolators  106 . The coupling point  104   a  is coupled to a first cabin air compressor (CAC) support bracket  108 . The first CAC support bracket  108  is coupled to a CAC  110  and a cross-support bracket  112 . The cross-support bracket  112  is coupled to a second CAC support bracket  114 . The second CAC support bracket  114  is coupled to the CAC  110  and a coupling point  116   a  of a lower three-way mount  118  as best viewed in  FIG. 2 . Similar to the upper three-way mount  102 , the lower three-way mount  118  includes a pair of coupling points  116   a  and  116   b . The first CAC support bracket  108 , the cross-support bracket  112 , and the second CAC support bracket  114  collectively form a CAC support assembly  120 . The first CAC support bracket  108  may also be referred to as a left-hand CAC support bracket, and the second CAC support bracket  114  may be referred to as a right-hand CAC support bracket. The coupling points  104   b  and  116   b  may be used to support a second CAC (not depicted), where the CAC  110  may be referred to as an outer CAC and the second CAC (not depicted) may be referred to as an inner CAC. The three-way mounts  102  and  118  limit CAC movement in three directions (X-Y-Z). 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the second CAC support bracket  114  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The second CAC support bracket  114  includes a CAC mounting portion  350 , an access portion  352 , a cross-support bracket mounting portion  354 , an upper lug portion  356 , and an upper lug  358 . The second CAC support bracket  114  also includes a structural support portion  360  as best viewed in  FIG. 4 . The CAC mounting portion  350  includes a first CAC mounting hole  362 , a second CAC mounting hole  364 , and a third CAC mounting hole  366  distributed in an arc configuration. The CAC mounting holes  362  and  366  are also referred to as the outermost CAC mounting holes  362  and  366  relative to the CAC mounting hole  364 . The CAC mounting portion  350  also includes a substantially triangular shaped lightening region  368 . The access portion  352  includes a substantially circular access aperture  370 . The cross-support bracket mounting portion  354  includes three slotted holes  372 ,  374 , and  376 , which are also referred to as lower slotted holes  372 , 374  and upper slotted hole  376 . The upper lug  358  includes a coupling hole  378 . 
     The CAC mounting portion  350  is formed substantially orthogonal to the access portion  352  and the structural support portion  360  of  FIG. 4 . The cross-support bracket mounting portion  354  is formed at an angle relative to the access portion  352 , and the upper lug portion  356  is formed at an angle relative to the access portion  352 . The upper lug  358  is formed substantially orthogonal to the upper lug portion  356 . 
     The CAC mounting holes  362 - 366  are configured to mate the second CAC support bracket  114  to the CAC  110  of  FIG. 1 . The slotted holes  372 - 376  are configured to mate the second CAC support bracket  114  with the cross-support bracket  112  of  FIG. 1 . The coupling hole  378  is configured to mate the second CAC support bracket  114  with the coupling point  116   a  of  FIG. 1 . Various fastener apparatuses (not depicted), such as bolts, can be used to perform mating of various components. 
       FIG. 4  is another view of the CAC support bracket  114  depicting the structural support portion  360  and side views of the CAC mounting portion  350 , the access portion  352 , the cross-support bracket mounting portion  354 , the upper lug portion  356 , and the upper lug  358 . A datum A defines a reference on the CAC mounting portion  350 , and centerline B (CLB) defines a centerline through CAC mounting hole  362 . Datum A is defined on a CAC side  375  of the CAC mounting portion  350  that is in closer proximity to the CAC  110  upon coupling the CAC support bracket  114  to the CAC  110 . A first angle (θ1) of about 28 degrees is defined between CLB and the cross-support bracket mounting portion  354  at a length L1 of about 9.95 inches (25.273 cm) from CLB at datum A to the cross-support bracket mounting portion  354 . A second angle (θ2) of about 50 degrees is defined between CLB and the upper lug portion  356  at a length L2 of about 12.115 inches (30.772 cm) from CLB at datum A to the upper lug portion  356 . The second angle θ2 is also defined between CLB and a central axis  377  of the coupling hole  378  at a length L3 of about 13.608 inches (34.564 cm) from CLB at datum A to the central axis  377  of the coupling hole  378 . A length L4 of about 5.324 inches (13.523 cm) is defined from a projection  379  normal to CLB at datum A to the upper lug  358 . A length L5 of about 6.755 inches (17.158 cm) is defined from the projection  379  normal to CLB at datum A to an upper end  380  that is substantially orthogonal to the upper lug portion  356 . The upper lug  358  has a thickness T1 of about 0.815 inches (2.070 cm). 
       FIG. 5  is a detailed view of the CAC mounting portion  350  of the CAC support bracket  114 . The CAC mounting holes  362 ,  364 , and  366 , each having a diameter D1 of about 0.406 inches (1.031 cm), are distributed in an arc configuration along a CAC mounting hole circle radius R1 of about 8.375 inches (21.273 cm) positioned between a curved edge  382  of the CAC mounting portion  350  and the substantially triangular shaped lightening region  368 . A length L6 of about 1.125 inches (2.858 cm) separates the curved edge  382  of the CAC mounting portion  350  and the substantially triangular shaped lightening region  368 . Relative to CLB, CAC mounting hole  364  is offset by an angle θ3 of about 25 degrees and CAC mounting hole  366  is offset by an angle θ4 of about 50 degrees at the CAC mounting hole circle radius R1. A first angled edge  384  proximate the CAC mounting hole  366  is offset by an angle θ5 of about 41.61 degrees relative to CLB. The first angled edge  384  is formed between the curved edge  382  and an outer edge  386  of the CAC mounting portion  350 . A length L7 of about 8.325 inches (21.146 cm) is defined between the outer edge  386  and CLB. The outer edge  386  is substantially normal to a lower edge  388  of the CAC mounting portion  350 . A length L8 of about 2.225 inches (5.652 cm) is defined between the lower edge  388  and CLB. 
     A second angled edge  390  is formed between the lower edge  388  and the curved edge  382  of the CAC mounting portion  350  at an angle θ6 of about 19.6 degrees relative to the lower edge  388 . A length L9 of about 1.24 inches (3.150 cm) separates the second angled edge  390  of the CAC mounting portion  350  and the substantially triangular shaped lightening region  368 . An edge  392  of the substantially triangular shaped lightening region  368  is positioned at a length L10 of about 6 inches (15.24 cm), where the edge  392  is substantially parallel to the outer edge  386 . 
       FIG. 6  is another view of the CAC support bracket  114  according to an embodiment as taken at section line  6  of  FIG. 4 . A reference point  400  is defined as the intersection of CLB and datum A of  FIG. 4  based on the orientation of the CAC support bracket  114  in  FIG. 6 . The reference point  400  may be located based on a projection  402  of an angled edge  404  of the cross-support bracket mounting portion  354 . A reference line  406  is defined at a length L11 of about 1.915 inches (4.864 cm) from the projection  402 , where the reference line  406  extends to the reference point  400  and forms an angle θ7 of about 13 degrees relative to CLB. The lower slotted holes  372  and  374  are offset by a length L12 of about 4.423 inches (11.234 cm) from the reference point  400 . The upper slotted hole  376  is longitudinally offset by a length L13 of about 1.375 inches (3.493 cm) from the lower slotted holes  372  and  374  relative to the center of each of the slotted holes  372 - 376 . Each of the slotted holes  372 - 376  has a length L14 of about 0.8 inches (2.032 cm) and a width W1 of about 0.413 inches (1.049 cm). The slotted hole  374  is offset by a length L15 of about 1.025 inches (2.604 cm) from CLB. The slotted hole  372  is offset by a length L16 of about 0.898 inches (2.281 cm) from the slotted hole  374 . The slotted hole  376  is laterally offset by a length L17 of about 0.513 inches (1.303 cm) from the slotted hole  372  between respective centers of the slotted holes  376  and  372 . The slotted hole  376  may also be laterally offset by length L17 from the slotted hole  374  between respective centers of the slotted holes  376  and  374 . 
     The view of the CAC support bracket  114  in  FIG. 6  also depicts a bushing  408  installed in the coupling hole  378  of the upper lug  358 . The bushing  408  provides a bearing portion for a fastener (not depicted) to engage with the coupling point  116   a  of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 7  is detailed view of a portion of the cross-support bracket mounting portion  354  of the CAC support bracket  114  according to an embodiment as taken at section line  7  of  FIG. 4 . Substantially smooth regions  410  are defined relative to the slotted holes  372 ,  374 , and  376 . For example, the substantially smooth regions  410  may be free of cusps associated with tooling used to manufacture the CAC support bracket  114 . The substantially smooth regions  410  may be defined as extending a minimum length L18 of about 1.1 inches (2.794 cm) below the slotted holes  372  and  374 , and a minimum length L19 of about 0.975 inches (2.477 cm) above the slotted hole  376 . 
     A number of ratios are defined between elements of the CAC support bracket  114  as depicted in  FIGS. 1-7 . In an embodiment, a ratio of the length L13 of longitudinal offset between the lower slotted holes  372 ,  374  and the upper slotted hole  376  to the length L17 of lateral offset between the lower slotted hole  372  and the upper slotted hole  376  is between 2.47 and 2.91. A ratio of the length L13 between the lower slotted holes  372 ,  374  and the upper slotted hole  376  to the minimum length L19 above the slotted hole  376  of the substantially smooth regions  410  is at most 1.405:0.975. A ratio of the length L7 defined between the outer edge  386  and CLB to the diameter D1 of the CAC mounting holes  362 ,  364 , and  366  is between 19.93 and 21.10. A ratio of the angle θ5 defined between CLB and the first angled edge  384  relative to the angle θ6 defined between the lower edge  388  and the second angled edge  390  is between 2.04 and 2.21. A ratio of the length L3 from CLB at datum A to the central axis  377  of the coupling hole  378  to the length L2 from CLB at datum A to the upper lug portion  356  is between 1.120 and 1.127. A ratio of the length L5 defined from the projection  379  normal to CLB at datum A to the upper end  380  to the length L4 defined from the projection  379  normal to CLB at datum A to the upper lug portion  356  is between 1.256 and 1.282. 
     A process of installing the CAC support bracket  114  in the cabin air conditioning and temperature control system  100  is described in reference to  FIGS. 1-7 . The upper lug  358  of the CAC support bracket  114  is coupled to the coupling point  116   a  of the lower three-way mount  118 . The CAC mounting portion  350  of the CAC support bracket  114  is coupled to the CAC  110 . The cross-support bracket mounting portion  354  of the CAC support bracket  114  is coupled to the cross-support bracket  112 . The cross-support bracket  112  is also coupled to the CAC support bracket  108 . The CAC support bracket  108  is coupled to the CAC  110  and to the coupling point  104   a  of the upper three-way mount  102 . As previously described, the CAC support bracket  114  includes the CAC mounting portion  350  formed substantially orthogonal to the access portion  352  and the structural support portion  360 , as well as the cross-support bracket mounting portion  354  formed at an angle (e.g., angle θ1) relative to the access portion  352 . The upper lug portion  356  is formed at an angle (e.g., angle θ2) relative to the access portion  352  and substantially orthogonal to the upper lug  358 . A ratio of the length L13 of longitudinal offset defined between the lower slotted holes  372 ,  374  and the upper slotted hole  376  to the length L17 of lateral offset between a center of at least one of the lower slotted holes  372 ,  374  and the upper slotted hole  376  is between 2.47 and 2.91. 
     While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.