Patent ID: 12202608

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the description that follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and figures with the same numerals, respectively. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and may be shown in exaggerated or generalized form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

Referring toFIG.2A, air diverter200comprises base202rigidly connected to coupling204. Coupling204is rigidly connected to duct206. Duct206is rigidly connected to nozzle208. In a preferred embodiment, base202is formed in a square to match a typical environment vent frame to which the device will be applied. The base may conform to other common shapes. Coupling204, duct206, and nozzle208are preferably cylindrical, however other cross-sectional shapes are envisioned. In a preferred embodiment, all connections are made with a suitable aircraft grade epoxy. In a preferred embodiment, base202, coupling204, duct206, and nozzle208are made of polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or nylon. Light aluminum or an aluminum magnesium alloy are also preferable.

A preferable height of air diverter200from base202to nozzle208can range, depending on application, from two to four feet but may vary depending on the aircraft. Base202preferably has dimensions that are approximately one to two inches larger than the dimensions of a floor vent frame. The diameters of duct206and nozzle208preferably range from three to four inches. Duct206and nozzle208should provide free flow of the environmental air coming from the floor vent. In one embodiment, this flow is approximately 300-400 CFM.

In an alternate embodiment shown inFIG.2B, nozzle208is connected to duct206by rotary collar212. Rotary collar212allows nozzle208to be rotated with respect to duct206about longitudinal axis210.

In an alternate embodiment shown inFIG.2C, nozzle214is connected to duct206by rotary collar212. Rotary collar212allows nozzle208to be rotated with respect to duct206about longitudinal axis210. Nozzle214comprises upper section224connected to lower section226by rotary collar216at angle218. Rotary collar216allows upper section224to be rotated with respect to lower section226about axis222. Axis222is generally perpendicular to rotary collar216. Angle218is preferably about 45° but can range from 30° to 60°. Upper section224extends from rotary collar216at angle220. Angle220is preferably about 45° but can range from 30° to 60°. The combination of angles218and220allow the airflow directed by nozzle214to be adjusted from directly vertical to generally horizontal and all angles in between.

The nozzles and rotary collars can be used with any of the embodiments disclosed.

Referring toFIG.3, the underside of base202is shown. Base202comprises flange302integrally formed with riser304. Riser304is cylindrical and engages coupling204. Flange302includes a plurality of radial slats306. The slats serve to strengthen the flange and also prevent debris from entering the floor vent. Gasket308is attached around the perimeter of flange302. The gasket seals the junction between air diverter200and the floor vent frame. In a preferred embodiment, gasket308is flexible foam rubber. Gasket308has outer perimeter316that generally matches the perimeter of base202. Gasket308has inner perimeter318that generally matches the perimeter of the floor vent frame. Magnets310and311are connected to flange302. In a preferred embodiment, the magnets are a rubber/ferrite powder mixture dispersed in a flexible plastic substitute that is laminated on both sides to resist corrosion. Each magnet has a contact surface area that ranges from about 2 to 3 in t and a generated force of about 10 pounds per linear foot. In one preferred embodiment, the magnets are 0.5 inches in width and 0.06 inches in height. In another preferred embodiment, the magnets may be flat neodymium rare earth magnets available from CMS Magnetics. These magnets generate approximately 80 pounds force per linear foot and are ideal for high traffic applications.

Referring toFIG.4, base202is shown removably affixed to floor vent frame402. Floor vent frame402slightly extends from floor404and is typically constructed of a magnetic alloy. Floor vent frame402has outer perimeter406. When air diverter200is attached to floor vent frame402, gasket308completely surrounds floor vent frame402such that inner perimeter318is adjacent outer perimeter406. Magnets310and311are adjacent floor vent frame402and magnetically affix base202to floor vent frame402. Riser304extends from flange302and engages coupling204.

Referring toFIG.5, in use, air diverter200is attached to floor vent frame402. Nozzle208is directed towards the aircraft cockpit. Conditioned air510from cabin supply duct511flows through floor vent frame402to base202, coupling204, duct206, and nozzle208. Nozzle208redirects the cabin air into forward flow512. In an alternate embodiment, nozzle208is rotated about longitudinal axis210through the use of rotary collar212in order to alter the cabin air flow direction. In an alternate embodiment, nozzle214is rotated about longitudinal axis210through the use of rotary collar212and rotated about axis222through the use of rotary collar216in order to alter the cabin air flow direction. When the aircraft is ready for takeoff, air diverter200can easily be removed from engagement with floor vent frame402and appropriately stowed such that floor vent frame402can operate normally.

Referring toFIG.6A, an alternate embodiment will be described.

Flare604is formed into a flat plate in which base opening605is formed. First vertical stanchion606is positioned within base opening605. Second vertical stanchion608is positioned within first vertical stanchion606. Flex nozzle610is ductedly connected to second vertical stanchion608via flexible section620. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible section is comprised of corrugated drain pipe approximately three inches in diameter. In preferred embodiments, the corrugated drain pipe may be obtained at Marelton Cross Limited of the U.K. Flare604is connected to storage chamber616. Storage chamber616is cylindrical but in alternate embodiments, other shapes will suffice. First vertical stanchion606, second vertical stanchion608, and flex nozzle610extend from and can all collapse within storage chamber616. When extended, the vertical stanchions are held in place by an interference fit between them. In other embodiments, the vertical stanchions are held in place by magnetic and ferrous collars, as will be further described. In other embodiments, there may be a fewer or greater number of vertical stanchions. The flexible section when repositioned is held in place by the memory of the corrugation.

Referring toFIG.6B, duct system602is shown in a stowed position. Flex nozzle610is collapsed in a stowed position. Flex nozzle610is connected to second vertical stanchion608and is held in ducted communication with retaining flange614. Second vertical stanchion608is nested within first vertical stanchion606and retained in place by retaining flanges607and614. First vertical stanchion606is nested within storage chamber616and retained in place by retaining flanges603and623. Second vertical stanchion608and first vertical stanchion606are retained within storage chamber616by retaining flange611. Retaining flange607includes flat cylindrical ferrous collar651, on its lower surface. Ferrous collar651is preferably a thin magnetic steel alloy, bonded to the lower surface of retaining flange607by a suitable adhesive. Retaining flange614further comprises a flat cylindrical magnetic collar650bonded to it upper surface by a suitable adhesive. The magnetic collar is preferably a neodymium rare earth magnet strip. Retaining flange603further includes flat cylindrical magnetic collar653bonded to its upper surface. Retaining flange623further includes a flat cylindrical ferrous collar654bonded to its lower surface by a suitable adhesive. In another embodiment, the positions of the magnetic collars and the ferrous collars may be reversed. In another embodiment, the ferrous collars may be replaced by magnetic collars in a complementary polarization position. In another embodiment, the magnetic and ferrous collars are not present, and the stanchions are held in place by an interference fit in the extended position.

Retaining flange611forms duct opening615which is in ducted communication with cabin air supply duct612. In the stowed position, the duct system is entirely contained within storage chamber616and flex nozzle610is held flush with cabin floor613.

Referring toFIG.6C, to raise the system into an extended position, a force is applied shown by Arrow “A” to flex nozzle610thereby extending flexible section620away from second vertical stanchion608. Second vertical stanchion608is telescoped within first vertical stanchion606until first vertical stanchion606is telescoped upward through storage chamber616. When the duct system is in its extended position, magnetic collar650engages ferrous collar651to hold second vertical stanchion608in an extended position. Likewise, magnetic collar653engages ferrous collar654to hold first vertical stanchion606in place.

Referring toFIG.6D, flexible section620is then rotated in direction “B” and is held in place by the memory of its corrugated construction. The flexible section is “multi-directional” and can be repositioned in a virtually unlimited set of configurations. In order to direct cabin air forward or aft.

Storage hatch617is connected to storage chamber616by hinge619. In one embodiment, storage hatch617is a flat plate and is configured to match the cabin floor and so prevents air flow from the duct into the cabin when in the stowed position. When the duct system is in extended position, storage hatch617lies adjacent cabin floor613. When the duct system is in stowed positioned, storage hatch617is rotated in direction “C” until it engages closure latch622. In another preferred embodiment, storage hatch617includes a ducted vent to allow free flow of environmental air from the cabin supply through the vertical stanchion in stowed position and into the cabin.

Referring toFIG.6E, an alternate configuration is shown. Fixed 90° nozzle630is attached to second vertical stanchion608. Fixed 90° nozzle630forms fixed 90° exit nozzle621. Second vertical stanchion608may be rotated 360° in direction “D” about central vertical axis632with respect to first vertical stanchion606thereby directing fixed 90° exit nozzle621in various directions.

Retaining flange614includes extended radial serrations660. In a preferred embodiment, the radial serrations are equidistantly placed around the circumference of the retaining flange at 10° increments. Other equally spaced increments may be used. The interior surface of first vertical stanchion606includes radial indentions662. Radial indentions662are designed to accommodate radial serrations660and therefore are likewise placed at 10° intervals around the interior of the first vertical stanchion. Equally spaced indentions at other intervals may be used so long as they mate with the radial serrations.

When the duct is in the extended position, radial serrations660engage radial indentions662in a releasable fashion allowing second vertical stanchion608to be locked into various radial positions with respect to first vertical stanchion606.

In this embodiment, second vertical stanchion608is provided with circumferential locking ring668around its exterior perimeter. The locking ring in this embodiment has a vertically oriented triangular cross-section. First vertical stanchion606is provided with circumferential locking indention670on its interior surface. The locking indention is provided with a triangular cross-section adapted to mate with locking ring668. Likewise, first vertical stanchion606is further provided with circumferential locking ring664on its exterior surface, having a vertically oriented triangular cross-section. Retaining flange623is provided with circumferential locking indention666on its interior surface with a cross-section designed to mate with locking ring664. Other mating cross sectional shapes may be employed.

Locking ring668releasably engages locking indention670and locking ring664releasably engages locking indention666in order to hold the first vertical section and the second vertical section in an extended position.

Referring toFIG.6F, an alternate configuration is shown. Storage chamber625is in ducted communication with cabin air supply duct612. First frustoconical stanchion627is nested within and extends from storage chamber625. Second frustoconical stanchion629is nested within and extends from first frustoconical stanchion627. Nozzle635is connected to second frustoconical stanchion629by rotary collar637. Rotary collar637allows nozzle635to be rotated with respect to second frustoconical stanchion629about longitudinal axis640. Nozzle635comprises an upper section connected to a lower section631by rotary collar633which allows rotation of the upper section relative to the lower section along an axis perpendicular to the collar in, for example, direction “E.” The nozzle is shown in a 90° or horizontal position. The nozzle is stored in a 0° or vertical position. The frustroconical sections are held in position by interference fits when extended. First frustroconical stanchion627, second frustroconical stanchion629, and nozzle635all collapse within storage chamber625in a stowed position. In other embodiments, there may be a fewer or greater number of frustroconical stanchions.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.