Lightweight plenum system for spacecraft application

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9915958-B2
Application number	US-201715592744-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 11, 2017
Priority date	Oct 23, 2014
Publication date	Mar 13, 2018
Grant date	Mar 13, 2018

Abstract

A gas distribution system for use in an enclosed volume wherein the system includes a distribution duct and a first inflatable duct portion in fluid communication with the distribution duct. The system further includes a passageway defining an opening which extends through the passageway, wherein: the opening is in fluid communication with the first inflatable duct portion; the passageway includes a valve with a flapper positioned within the opening of the passageway; and the flapper is moveable in relationship to the opening by way of a bi-metallic temperature sensing member. The system further includes an inflatable enclosure in fluid communication with the opening of the passageway, wherein the inflatable enclosure is configured to define a volume within and separated from the enclosed volume.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A gas distribution system for use in an enclosed volume, the system comprising;
a distribution duct;
a first inflatable duct portion in fluid communication with the distribution duct;
a passageway defining an opening which extends through the passageway, wherein:
the opening is in fluid communication with the first inflatable duct portion;
the passageway includes a valve with a flapper positioned within the opening of the passageway; and
the flapper is moveable in relationship to the opening by way of a bi-metallic temperature sensing member; and

an inflatable enclosure in fluid communication with the opening of the passageway, wherein the inflatable enclosure is configured to define a volume within and separated from the enclosed volume.

2. The gas distribution system of claim 1 further comprising:
an opening defined in the distribution duct; and
an attachment mechanism that secures the first inflatable duct to the distribution duct with the opening of the distribution duct in fluid communication with the first inflatable duct, wherein;
the attachment mechanism has a securement mechanism that overlies a portion of the distribution duct positioned on an opposing side of the distribution duct from the opening.

3. The gas distribution system of claim 2 wherein the securement mechanism comprises:
a flap secured to and extending from a first portion of the first inflatable duct.

4. The gas distribution system of claim 3 wherein:
the flap has an end portion including a first portion of a fastener assembly; and
a second portion of the first inflatable duct includes a second portion of the fastener assembly, wherein with the flap overlying the distribution duct and with the first portion of the fastener assembly secured to the second portion of the fastener assembly, the first inflatable duct is secured to the distribution duct.

5. The gas distribution system of claim 1 wherein the first inflatable duct portion is secured to the distribution duct with a flange clamped to an end portion of the first inflatable duct portion and positioned against a collar secured to the distribution duct.

6. The gas distribution system of claim 1 wherein the first inflatable duct portion is constructed of one of a flexible plastic material and a fabric.

7. The gas distribution system of claim 1 wherein the passageway comprises a tubular member, wherein the tubular member is constructed of one of plastic, metal, and fabric.

8. The gas distribution system of claim 7 wherein the flapper of the valve is positioned within the tubular member.

9. The gas distribution system of claim 1 wherein the inflatable enclosure comprises:
a second inflatable duct portion in fluid communication with and downstream from the opening of the passageway; and
an inflatable plenum portion connected to the second inflatable duct portion, wherein the inflatable plenum portion is in fluid communication with and downstream from the second inflatable duct portion.

10. The gas distribution system of claim 9 wherein the inflatable plenum portion comprises a sidewall, and wherein the sidewall includes a slit defined therethrough.

11. The gas distribution system of claim 10 wherein the sidewall of the inflatable plenum portion further comprises a securement member associated with the slit, wherein the securement member opens the slit and secures closed the slit.

12. The gas distribution system of claim 11 wherein the securement member comprises one of a zipper and releasable hook and loop releasable securement assembly.

13. The gas distribution system of claim 10 wherein the sidewall of the inflatable plenum portion comprises an end portion, wherein the end portion is configured to surround equipment and enclose the equipment within the inflatable plenum portion when the end portion is secured to a surface positioned within the enclosed volume.

14. The gas distribution system of claim 9 wherein the inflatable plenum portion further includes a pressure-activated vent secured to a sidewall of the inflatable plenum, wherein gas contained within the inflatable plenum portion flows into the enclosed volume when the valve is in an open position.

15. The gas distribution system of claim 1 wherein the bi-metallic temperature sensing member is positioned within the inflatable enclosure.

16. The gas distribution system of claim 1 wherein the bi-metallic temperature sensing member comprises coiled bi-metallic elements.

17. The gas distribution system of claim 1 wherein the bi-metallic temperature sensing member comprises a first metal component and a second metal component.

18. The gas distribution system of claim 17 wherein the first metal component has a faster rate of contraction and expansion than the second metal component.

19. The gas distribution system of claim 18 wherein with a lowering of temperature within the inflatable enclosure, the first metal component contracts faster than the second metal component placing the flapper in a more open position relative to the opening permitting a purge gas from the distribution duct to reach the inflatable enclosure.

20. The gas distribution system of claim 18 wherein with an increase in temperature within the inflatable enclosure, the first metal component expands faster than the second metal component placing the flapper in a more obstructed position relative to the opening allowing less purge gas from the distribution duct to reach the inflatable enclosure.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Carroll Galen Duff

Classifications

• G05D23/08 Primary

  with bimetallic element · CPC title

• B64G1/50

  for temperature control · CPC title

• Y10T137/7737

  Thermal responsive · CPC title

• B64G1/002

  Launch systems · CPC title

• B64G1/401

  Liquid propellant rocket engines (Ion or plasma engines B64G1/413; Arcjets and other resistojets B64G1/415) · CPC title