AIRCRAFT SUPPLEMENTAL AIR HEATER

摘要

An aircraft supplemental air heater including a coiled composite having a series of passes defining a spiral shaped airflow therebetween. The composite includes a heating element that provides a controlled heat output when a voltage potential is applied across it. The composite also includes a convective heat transfer surface to which the heat output is transferred whereby as air flows through the heater's spiral shaped airflow passage, it passes over the convective heat transfer surface and heat is thereby transferred to the air through convection. The aircraft supplemental air heater maybe installed in-line with an air supply duct leading to the cabin of the aircraft and/or may be installed downstream of a fan. The heater may be made by assembling a composite panel and then forming this panel into the desired coiled shape.