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PERFECT CLIMATE MOTORING TOWARDS THE
In the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, 48 Maxon motors ensure a good climate
With the help of Maxon’s flat brushless motors, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s cabin climate system provides a breath of fresh air for its long haul passengers.
A
t an altitude of 11km above the surface of the earth, the air is very thin. Modern pressure cabins and an environmental control system (ECS) ensure a pleasant atmosphere in commercial aircraft. In the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a special air conditioning system further improves the comfort of the passengers on long flights. Brushless Maxon DC motors, spur gearheads and resolver combinations ensure a good climate at great heights. Environmental control systems in
aircraft encompass three components: air exchange, pressure control and temperature control. At altitudes up to and beyond 11km, providing the passengers with the required atmosphere in the cabin, with high enough air pressure, adequate oxygen supply and a satisfactory ambient temperature, means that each commercial aircraft needs a climate control system. Air conditioning systems in aircraft therefore differ greatly from ordinary air conditioning systems, both where the design and the energy
source are concerned, as they require an energy source with much higher power capacity and have to meet higher safety requirements. Pressurised cabins in commercial vehicles ensure the air pressure is at a level that is tolerable for passengers. The circumference of the aircraft expands due to the pressure compensation. This puts great stress on the airframe. During the flight, the pressure in the cabin is successively reduced slightly as the altitude increases. Therefore, the passengers experience an amplitude increase to approximately 2,400m. However, the climate control also depends on the amount of oxygen required by a human and the number of seats on the aircraft. But oxygen alone does not ensure a
pleasant atmosphere. The temperature and humidity also play an important role. Modern computer-controlled systems regulate the temperature with a precision of one degree. A considerable amount of heat is contributed by the passengers themselves. Each person radiates 80 to
100W on average. On the ground, the air conditioning unit is supplied with compressed air by the auxiliary power unit (APU) and during the flight, on most aircraft, by the jet engines.
Increasing long flight comfort The Boeing 787 Dreamliner offers an improved cabin atmosphere and different pressure conditions, making long distance flights more tolerable for passengers. According to Boeing, the new
innovative body of the aircraft is stronger than a thin aluminium shell. The cabin pressure corresponds to a height of 1,800m. This is deemed to be more passenger-friendly than the customary 2,400m. Furthermore, the corrosion- resistant shell allows 15% air humidity in the interior, instead of the customary 4%. Therefore the climate system also works a little bit differently. On the Boeing 787, the air is not drawn
from the jet engines under pressure, but is instead fresh air from the outside atmosphere. Onboard electric motors
© Boeing Commercial Airplanes
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