Pre conditioned air duct storage and deployment reel apparatus

Abstract

The pre conditioned air duct storage and deployment apparatus includes a plenum reel assembly having an air outlet means for connection to one end of the ducting, a frame rotatably supporting the plenum reel assembly comprising a reversible drive motor supported by the frame having an output drive shaft rotatably driving the plenum reel assembly in a first direction to retract the ducting and a second direction to deploy the ducting, a rotary swivel assembly having a first diameter fixedly supported by the frame and having a second diameter fixedly attached and rotatably supporting the plenum reel assembly about an axis coextensive with the drive shaft axis. The frame and plenum reel assembly has an opening for means of air transference through the rotary swivel assembly and the fixed portion of the swivel assembly has connecting means to an external pre conditioned air source.

1 . An apparatus for providing a winding and unwinding means for a length of ducting to provide pre conditioned air to an aircraft, the apparatus comprising:
 a plenum reel assembly having an air outlet means for connection to one end of said ducting;   a frame rotatably supporting said plenum reel assembly;   a reversible drive motor supported by said frame having an output drive shaft rotatably driving said plenum reel assembly in a first direction to retract said ducting and second direction to deploy said ducting;   a rotary swivel assembly having a first diameter fixedly supported by said frame and having a second diameter fixedly attached and rotatably supporting said plenum reel assembly about an axis coextensive with said drive shaft axis;   an opening in said frame and said plenum reel assembly for means of air transference through said rotary swivel assembly; and   an external pre conditioned air source connecting means to said rotary swivel assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said drive motor comprises a hydraulic drive motor having a drive shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said drive motor comprises a hydraulic motor driven gearbox having a drive shaft axially coextensive and rotatably driving said plenum reel assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said drive motor comprises an electric drive motor having a drive shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said drive motor comprises an electrically driven gearbox having a drive shaft axially coextensive and rotatably driving said plenum reel assembly. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for providing a winding and unwinding means for a length of ducting to provide pre conditioned air to an aircraft, the apparatus comprising:
 a plenum reel assembly having an air outlet means for connection to one end of said ducting;   a frame rotatably supporting said plenum reel assembly;   a reversible gear drive motor supported by said frame having an output drive shaft axially coextensive and rotatably driving said plenum reel assembly in a first direction to retract said ducting and an opposite second direction to deploy said ducting;   a rotary swivel assembly having a first diameter fixedly supported by said frame and having a second diameter fixedly attached and rotatably supporting said plenum reel assembly about an axis coextensive with said drive shaft axis;   an opening in said frame and said plenum reel assembly for means of air transference through said rotary swivel assembly;   an external pre conditioned air source connecting means to said rotary swivel assembly; and   a control means for determining when said plenum reel assembly is rotated a first predetermined amount to deploy said ducting.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said predetermined amount is variably set by the user. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said control means comprise a switch actuated by a cam rotatably driven by said gear drive motor. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said control means comprise a sensor connected to an external control circuit used to determine the position of the plenum reel assembly. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for providing a winding and unwinding means for a length of ducting to provide pre conditioned air to an aircraft, the apparatus comprising:
 a plenum reel assembly having an air outlet means for connection to one end of said ducting;   a frame rotatably supporting said plenum reel assembly;   a reversible gear drive motor supported by said frame having an output drive shaft axially coextensive and rotatably driving said plenum reel assembly in a first direction to retract said ducting and an opposite second direction to deploy said ducting;   a rotary swivel assembly having a first diameter fixedly supported by said frame and having a second diameter fixedly attached and rotatably supporting said plenum reel assembly about an axis coextensive with said drive shaft axis;   an opening in said frame and said plenum reel assembly for means of air transference through said rotary swivel assembly;   an external pre conditioned air source connecting means to said rotary swivel assembly;   a control means for determining when said plenum reel assembly is rotated a first predetermined amount to deploy said ducting; and   a control means for determining when said plenum reel assembly is rotated a second predetermined amount to retract said ducting.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said first and second predetermined amount is variably set by the user. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said control means comprise a first switch actuated by a first cam and a second switch actuated by a second cam, said cams being rotatably driven by said gear motor. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said control means comprise a sensor connected to an external control circuit used to determine the position of the plenum reel assembly.