Overheard on holiday

[GordonA]

Publication number   US6019315 A
Publication type   Grant
Application number   US 08/942,591
Publication date   1 Feb 2000
Filing date   2 Oct 1997
Priority date   2 Oct 1996
Fee status   Lapsed
Also published as   DE19640741A1, DE19640741C2, EP0834452A2, EP0834452A3, EP0834452B1
Inventors   Thomas Scherer, Michael Dreyhaupt, Heiko Luetjens
Original Assignee   Daimlerchrysler Aerospace Airbus Gmbh.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention an aircraft door structure comprises a door frame for installation in an opening of the aircraft body and a door installed in the door frame. Such a structure is equipped with at least one air flow channel in the aircraft door structure for circulating air through the aircraft door structure. At least one inlet port is positioned and connected for admitting air into the air flow channel and one outlet port is connected to and communicates with the at least one air flow channel with a space for discharging air, especially cold air into this space which is preferably positioned below the cabin floor. For this purpose the outlet port passes at the lower edge of the door or door frame through the cabin floor. The construction and position of the inlet and outlet ports is such that the air circulation is preferably sustained by convection.

In a preferred embodiment an air flow channel is formed in a gap between the door frame and the door and an other air flow channel passes through the door itself. Both channels have at least one common inlet port at the top edge of the door and at least one outlet port near the bottom edge of the door or frame.

By passing warm cabin air into the air flow channel or channels in the door structure at the top thereof, the air cools down inside the channels, thereby travelling downwardly through the outlet port into a space where the cold air does NOT form a draft that otherwise would adversely affect the passengers. Such space is preferably below the cabin floor but could be any space within the cabin, for example a closet.

I rest my case , why don't you rest yours' ?  you'll feel better !!

[Colwyn]

H, bet you didn't know you'd started a thread on drafts.

[marina]

Goodness me Gordon, you have gone to a lot of trouble to prove your point haven't you?   

As I said before, I have no clever explanations where this cold air comes from, unlike you of course, I just know what I, and others, experience.  Sometimes there isn't a problem sitting by the exit doors, but often there is.  Fact.

And now I'll also rest my case, happy in the knowledge that you, like many men up and down the country, really think they've had the last word!   

[Lotty]

I also have to agree with Marina and Jacqui, I don't know or care why or where the icy air comes from but in the front rows (leg room), and strangely only in our return flights, I become freezing cold every time. I've learned to take an extra pashmina in hand luggage and always cover my arms before I sit down and belt up.

[GordonA]

Goodness me Gordon, you have gone to a lot of trouble to prove your point haven't you?     

As I said before, I have no clever explanations where this cold air comes from, unlike you of course, I just know what I, and others, experience.  Sometimes there isn't a problem sitting by the exit doors, but often there is.  Fact.

And now I'll also rest my case, happy in the knowledge that you, like many men up and down the country, really think they've had the last word!     

You little rascal !!

[marina]

 

[Highlander]

Any chance that we can get back on topic please.

[stoop]

The TC one is true H - also -if they sit people in the back rows first it tips up!

Honest guv  

[stoop]

.. and seats near doors are blooody cold! Not a draught - just cold from the door. We never sit there now for that reason alone.

[Scunner]

The TC one is true H - also -if they sit people in the back rows first it tips up!

Honest guv   

Well that is the opposite to what H was told - he was told if they let the front rows off first (i.e. make the front of the plane lighter) then the plane would tip forward. That is fairly unlikely.