Patent Description:
The provision of temperature-controlled water on board an aircraft normally comprises the cooling of bottled beverages or the heating of water by means of a water-heating apparatus which is provided separately for this purpose. Also known are trolleys with an integrated water discharge apparatus, which are normally provided with insulated water tanks which are filled with cold or hot water outside the aircraft. This is fairly cumbersome, however, and the temperature of the stored water cannot be maintained indefinitely. An integrated water-heating apparatus would increase the weight of the trolley and also require a high level of electrical power.

<CIT> discloses a mobile device for producing beverages, in particular coffee products, and comprises a trolley base body, a water tank, a brewing unit connected to the water tank via a water supply line, and a heating device adapted to heat water received within the water tank.

It is consequently an object of the invention to propose a maximally convenient device by way of which a trolley with an integrated water discharge apparatus can provide a sufficient amount of temperature-controlled water for the preparation of beverages.

The object is achieved by a combination having the features of independent claim.

embodiments and refinements emerge from the dependent claims and from the following description.

What is proposed is a combination of a system for providing temperature-controlled water in an aircraft and a trolley. The system for providing temperature-controlled water in an aircraft has at least one tank, has at least one water temperature-controlling unit, has a control unit, has a power supply terminal, wherein the at least one water temperature-controlling unit can be coupled to the at least one tank in order to heat or to cool water situated therein, wherein the control unit is connected to the at least one water temperature-controlling unit in order to activate the at least one water temperature-controlling unit for controlling the temperature of water in the at least one tank to a predefined temperature, wherein the power supply terminal can be connected to an on-board voltage source in order for the at least one water temperature-controlling unit and the control unit to be supplied with electrical voltage, wherein the system is in the form of a coherent and self-contained unit which can be integrated into a parking place for a half-size or full-size trolley in a galley of the aircraft, and wherein the at least one tank is mounted so as to be exchangeable to take the at least one tank out of the system and readily insert it into the trolley, or wherein the system has a water discharge connection which is coupled to the at least one tank and wherein the water discharge connection is configured to be connected to the trolley in order for water to be discharged from the at least one tank of the system and for the water to be received by the trolley.

The at least one tank is a water tank. It is configured for receiving and storing a predefined volume of water. Preferably, the at least one tank is formed from a material which leads to a particularly low weight of the tank. Besides a fibre-reinforced plastic, for example GFRP or CFRP, an aluminium alloy could also be considered. The at least one tank could be provided on an inner side with a coating which is suitable for permanent contact with drinking water.

The at least one tank could have thermal insulation. If the at least one tank is mounted so as to be exchangeable, quick-action fasteners and/or other locking devices could be provided to securely mount the at least one tank in the system. Here, the at least one tank should be configured in such a way that a user, in particular a cabin crew member, can take the at least one tank out of the system and readily insert it into a trolley. Here, the maximum weight for a filled tank should not exceed a particular limit. This could be determined principally by the filling volume of the tank, which for example lies in a range of <NUM> to <NUM><NUM>. The realizable size is dependent on the structural space offered, this being determined however by the structural shape of the parking place for the system. Moreover, here, a surface temperature of the at least one tank should, for example, not be above body temperature, or have correspondingly insulated grips which have a lower temperature level.

If the at least one tank is mounted so as to be exchangeable, it is expedient to arrange said tank in a guide which simplifies the movement of the filled tank from the system into a trolley, or the like, to be filled thereby. For example, the receiving heights of the at least one tank both in the system and in the trolley can be matched to one another so that a filled tank can be displaced at the same level from the system into the trolley. An emptied tank possibly still present in the trolley could be manually lifted or pulled out of the trolley owing to the significantly lower weight.

The at least one water temperature-controlling unit is an apparatus which is configured for actively influencing a water temperature by way of heating or cooling. The at least one water temperature-controlling unit could consequently have a cooling unit or a heating unit. If a plurality of tanks are provided in the system, it could be advantageous for example to couple one tank to a heating unit and another tank to a cooling unit. The system could then provide both cooled water and heated water.

The control unit ensures the temperature control of the water in that the at least one water temperature-controlling unit is activated by the control unit. The control unit could have information about a predefined temperature which water in the at least one tank is intended to have. A target temperature could be fixedly preset, or be settable by way of an operator control interface. Through corresponding monitoring of a temperature, the control unit is capable of establishing a deviation of the water temperature from a predefined temperature. If the deviation exceeds a particular tolerable amount, the control unit could activate the heating unit and/or cooling unit. The thermal power provided by the heating unit and/or cooling unit could be variable and be demanded according to the deviation. Alternatively, the power could also be fixed and the control unit merely switches the corresponding water temperature-controlling unit on or off.

The power supply terminal could be realized in various ways. Firstly, provision could be made of a corresponding socket which can be connected to a connection line. This could be a screwable plug, for example. Equally, the power supply terminal itself could have a preferably screwable plug which can be screwed into a corresponding socket. The system could have a housing or a frame, with a plug-in connector being integrated as a fixed constituent part therein. In the parking place into which the system is to be installed, there may be arranged a plug-in connector which is shaped in a complementary manner. If the system is introduced fully into the parking place and fixed there, the plug-in connectors are connected to one another. Moreover, an inductive coupling via coils which can be brought into alignment could be considered, wherein one of the coils is arranged on a wall of the system and the other coil is arranged on a wall of a corresponding parking place. If required, the system could comprise a power converter which is configured for matching the operating voltage for the control unit and/or the water temperature-controlling unit.

Since the system forms a coherent, self-contained unit, the integration of the system into the galley is sufficient for supply of cooled and/or heated water within a cabin of the aircraft for example to trolleys with an integrated water discharge apparatus. As mentioned previously, the supply could be realized through removal of the tank and introduction into a corresponding trolley, or through the use of a water discharge connection and corresponding coupling to the respective trolley.

In an advantageous embodiment, the system furthermore has a water feed connection which is coupled to the at least one tank in order to supply the at least one tank with water from an on-board water tank. The on-board water tank could be a fresh-water tank on board the aircraft. In this way, fresh water can, according to requirement, be guided from an on-board fresh-water system into the at least one tank. If such a fresh-water tank is not coupled to a pump or some other pressure-increasing device, a corresponding pump could be arranged upstream of the water feed connection. It is conceivable for the control unit to be configured for automatic replenishment of the at least one tank with water from the on-board water tank if a minimum fill level is fallen below. It could also be expedient, however, for the purpose of saving water, to dispense with such a function and to realize only a display unit which indicates a low water fill level. A user could then initiate replenishment by activating a replenishment button or the like.

Here, a filter unit is preferably arranged between the water feed connection and the at least one tank. The filter unit may have a single-stage filter or multi-stage filter. In particular, particulate contaminants can thus be filtered out. For the purpose of ensuring a correct taste and aroma, it would moreover be possible for an activated carbon filter to be provided.

Furthermore, the system could have a sensor which is connected to the control unit and which serves for detecting a water temperature in the at least one tank. It is thus made possible for the control unit to set a predefined water temperature in the respective tank. It goes without saying that, with the use of a plurality of tanks, there is provided in each case one sensor which measures the water temperature in the respective tank, so that the control unit performs control on the basis thereof.

In an advantageous refinement, the at least one water temperature-controlling unit has a heat exchanger through which water from the at least one tank can flow and which is coupled to a heating or cooling device in order for the water flowing through to be heated or to be cooled. The heating or cooling device could accordingly be arranged outside the at least one tank. In this way, the design of the at least one tank is significantly simplified. Removal of the tank would also be simplified in this case.

Preferably, the heat exchanger has a first connection, which is connected fluidically to the respective tank, and a second connection, which is connected fluidically to the respective tank, such that water, after flowing through the heat exchanger, is guided back into the respective tank. Instead of a simple run-through, a circulation for which relatively low heating or cooling power is required to achieve corresponding temperature control is consequently carried out.

Furthermore, the system could have at least one germ-reducing unit which can be coupled to the at least one tank and which is configured for reducing the germ count of water in the at least one tank. In this way, a high quality of drinking water can be ensured. Various germ-reducing units with physical or chemical action are considered in this case.

The germ-reducing unit could furthermore have a UV lamp which is arranged in the at least one tank. The UV lamp emits, for example directly within the at least one tank, high-intensity ultraviolet light, which leads to the killing of germs.

One advantageous embodiment furthermore has an outlet connection for selective removal of water. The removal of water may comprise the removal of water from the at least one tank and/or an external unit which is supplied with temperature-controlled water by the system according to the invention. This makes possible simple emptying of the system, or of the external unit connected thereto, for counteracting the formation of germs or of an accumulation of contaminants and moreover for bringing about protection against icing.

The system may furthermore have a water-receiving connection which is configured for receiving water from a unit provided with a supply by the system and for feeding said water to the outlet connection. The water-receiving connection could be provided parallel to the water discharge connection. Besides gravity-induced removal of water from the external unit, a pump could also be provided for this purpose.

Preferably, the system has a water discharge connection which is arranged at a flexible water line for connection to a connection provided outside the system. The system could thus have a tube, or a similar device, which can be connected to an external unit in order to supply the latter with temperature-controlled water from the at least one tank. Furthermore, the flexible water line could also be retractable, for example by way of a winding mechanism or retraction mechanism.

Furthermore, the system could be configured for being arranged in a half-size or full-size trolley parking place of a galley and is accordingly designed so as to be complementary thereto. The system could have a frame or a housing which can be integrated, in particular in a flush manner, into such a parking place so that the system is configured as an integral constituent part of the galley.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a galley for an aircraft, having at least one parking place for a half-size or full-size trolley and having at least one system of the combination according to the above description integrated therein.

An aspect of the invention moreover relates to an aircraft having at least one galley of said type and/or having at least one combination according to the above description arranged therein.

Further features, advantages and possible uses of the present invention emerge from the following description of the exemplary embodiments and from the figures. In the figures, the same reference signs are used for identical or similar objects.

<FIG> shows a first exemplary embodiment of a system <NUM> for providing temperature-controlled water in an aircraft. By way of example, the system <NUM> has a first tank <NUM> and a second tank <NUM>. A cooling unit <NUM> is arranged as a water temperature-controlling unit on the first tank <NUM>. Analogously, a heating unit <NUM> is arranged as a water temperature-controlling unit on the second tank <NUM>. The two water temperature-controlling units <NUM> and <NUM> are connected to a control unit <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> is configured for activating the water temperature-controlling units <NUM> and <NUM> so that they cool water in the first tank <NUM> or heat water in the second tank <NUM>. For this purpose, both tanks <NUM> and <NUM> may have in each case one sensor <NUM> which is coupled to the control unit <NUM> and is configured for transmitting a water temperature in the tanks <NUM> and <NUM> to the control unit <NUM> for control. Both tanks <NUM> and <NUM> are connected via a filter unit <NUM> to a water feed connection <NUM>, which is coupled to an on-board water tank <NUM> situated in the respective aircraft. Additionally, a power supply terminal <NUM> for connection to an on-board voltage source <NUM> is provided. This, together with the water feed connection <NUM>, would allow an interface <NUM> to be formed.

Here, by way of example, the system <NUM> has a water discharge connection <NUM>, which is provided together with a water-receiving connection <NUM> at a flexible tube-like line <NUM>. Consequently, the system <NUM> can be connected to a trolley <NUM> in order for water to be discharged from the first tank <NUM> and/or from the second tank <NUM> or in order for water to be received from the trolley <NUM> and guided to an outlet connection <NUM>. The system <NUM> may have a pump <NUM> by which the trolley <NUM> can be supplied with water. In this way, it is not necessary, for delivering water to the trolley <NUM>, to permit the inflow of fresh water via the water feed connection <NUM>.

The trolley <NUM> has a water discharge apparatus <NUM> which is configured for discharging water from a trolley tank <NUM>. The trolley tank <NUM> could, for example, store cold or warm water and be used for the preparation of beverages by means of the discharge apparatus <NUM>. Merely by way of example, a battery <NUM> which supplies an integrated pump <NUM> with electrical voltage is provided here. The pump <NUM> is intended for delivering water to the discharge apparatus <NUM> from the trolley tank <NUM>. The battery <NUM> can be recharged via an inductive charging apparatus. For this purpose, the battery <NUM> is equipped with a first coil unit <NUM> which can be brought into alignment with a second coil unit <NUM> to enable transmission of electrical power from the second coil unit <NUM> into the first coil unit <NUM>. Here, the second coil unit <NUM> is arranged in a trolley parking place such that, when the trolley <NUM> is parked, a supply of energy to the trolley <NUM> is realized directly. The first coil unit <NUM> may additionally have an electronics unit (not shown), which controls the charging process of the battery <NUM>.

For the purpose of reducing the germ count, both tanks <NUM> and <NUM> are in each case equipped with a germ-reducing unit <NUM>, which is for example in the form of a UV lamp.

<FIG> shows an alternative system <NUM>, in which, by way of example, only a single tank <NUM> is provided. It goes without saying, however, that a plurality of tanks <NUM> is possible. A water temperature-controlling unit <NUM> which is coupled via a heat exchanger <NUM> to the interior of the tank <NUM> is provided. For this purpose, the heat exchanger <NUM> has a first connection <NUM> and a second connection <NUM> that are connected fluidically to the tank <NUM>. The water temperature-controlling unit <NUM> has, for cooling or heating, according to choice, a cooling unit <NUM> and a heating unit <NUM>, which are also connected to the control unit <NUM>. The use of the heat exchanger <NUM> makes it possible for water to be circulated, so as to continuously allow cooling or heating of the water in the tank <NUM>. The tank <NUM> may likewise have a sensor <NUM> which is coupled to the control unit <NUM> in order to transmit the present water temperature in the tank <NUM> to the control unit <NUM> for control. The power supply terminal <NUM> is, by way of example, provided on a bottom side of the system <NUM>.

The replenishment of water is realized here via the exchange of the tank <NUM>, wherein, for example, provision could be made of a further trolley <NUM> in which a plurality of filled tanks <NUM> are provided. The filling of the trolley <NUM> is however likewise realized via insertion of the tank <NUM>.

Finally, <FIG> shows an aircraft <NUM> in which there is provided a cabin <NUM> with a galley in which at least one system <NUM> and/or <NUM> as presented above is provided.

<FIG> shows a detail from the cabin <NUM>. Here, a galley <NUM> can be seen in a plan view. The galley <NUM> has a plurality of parking places <NUM> which serve for receiving a trolley. By way of example, the trolley <NUM> from the preceding illustrations is shown at a parking place <NUM>. Another parking place <NUM> is provided with the system <NUM>, which, in terms of its size, is matched to the parking place <NUM>. This applies analogously to the use of the system <NUM> in the parking place <NUM>. All the connections intended for the operation of the system <NUM> or <NUM> and an on-board water tank <NUM> required for the system <NUM> are provided in the galley <NUM> or in the aircraft <NUM>.

Claim 1:
Combination of a system (<NUM>, <NUM>) for providing temperature-controlled water in an aircraft (<NUM>) and an aircraft
trolley (<NUM>), wherein the system (<NUM>, <NUM>) for providing temperature-controlled water in an aircraft (<NUM>) comprises:
- at least one tank (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>),
- at least one water temperature-controlling unit (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>),
- a control unit (<NUM>), and
- a power supply terminal (<NUM>),
wherein the at least one water temperature-controlling unit (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) can be coupled to the at least one tank (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) in order to heat or to cool water situated therein,
wherein the control unit (<NUM>) is connected to the at least one water temperature-controlling unit (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) in order to activate the at least one water temperature-controlling unit (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) for controlling the temperature of water in the at least one tank (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to a predefined temperature,
wherein the power supply terminal (<NUM>) can be connected to an on-board voltage source (<NUM>) in order for the at least one water temperature-controlling unit (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and the control unit (<NUM>) to be supplied with electrical voltage,
wherein the system (<NUM>, <NUM>) is in the form of a coherent and self-contained unit which can be integrated into a parking place (<NUM>) for a half-size or full-size trolley in a galley (<NUM>) of the aircraft (<NUM>), and
wherein the at least one tank (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is mounted so as to be exchangeable to take the at least one tank out (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the system and readily insert it into the trolley (<NUM>), or wherein the system (<NUM>, <NUM>) has a water discharge connection (<NUM>) which is coupled to the at least one tank (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and wherein the water discharge connection (<NUM>) is configured to be connected to the trolley (<NUM>) in order for water to be discharged from the at least one tank (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the system (<NUM>, <NUM>) and for the water to be received by the trolley (<NUM>).