All commercial aircraft flying at altitudes above 3,000 meters have emergency oxygen systems installed above the seats for passengers. Until now, one manufacturer has largely dominated the market for these emergency oxygen systems. This is to change in the future. For this purpose, Diehl Aviation, one of Germany’s leading first-tier suppliers, has now developed its own emergency oxygen generator (UO₂G). It is expected to be launched on the market as early as next year. From June 14 to 16, 2022, Diehl Aviation will now officially present its (UO₂G) for the first time to a broad expert audience at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg.
To develop this product, Diehl Aviation had established a complete development environment at the Gilching site in order to build up its own chemical expertise. Now Diehl has succeeded in developing a safety-critical system that meets the high requirements for safety, functionality, and durability. The (UO₂G) is the only oxygen generator that can be installed and retrofitted in all aircraft of the Airbus A320 family and also in the Boeing 737 series.
The emergency oxygen generator has two main elements: a tight and precision-welded stainless-steel housing and a chemical core on the inside. If the pressure drops in the cabin, the necessary chemical reaction is automatically initiated, and the bonded oxygen is subsequently released. An ignition process is triggered which burns down the chemical core, a candle consisting of sodium chlorate, in a controlled manner and produces sufficient oxygen to supply the passenger for up to 15 minutes. Only sodium chloride, that is, common salt is left as a residual substance after the burning process.
Initially, Diehl Aviation will offer its oxygen generator on the aftersales market. Potential customers are airlines with aircraft whose oxygen generators have to be replaced after 15 years under globally applicable guidelines.
“Technically, we are already able to produce the oxygen for all other aircraft models. Therefore, it is conceivable that in the future, we will add larger long-haul aircraft with an emergency oxygen supply for up to 22 minutes per passenger to the portfolio,” says Harald Mehring, Chief Customer Officer at Diehl Aviation.
Airlines can already order the new oxygen generator on all trade show days at Diehl Aviation’s booth 7D20 in hall B7 at AIX. There, the specialist for cabin interiors and aircraft systems will present further current innovations. This year’s highlights are eco-efficient products for the aircraft cabin, advancing digitalization with products for the smart cabin of the future, innovative upgrade solutions, and the latest developments for electric air cabs.
Diehl Aviation is a division of Diehl Stiftung & Co. KG and combines all aviation activities of Diehl Group under one roof. In the aviation industry, Diehl Aviation – including Diehl Aerospace (a joint venture with Thales) – is a leading system supplier of aircraft system and cabin solutions. Diehl Aviation currently has more than 4,000 employees. Its clients include leading aircraft manufacturers Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Embraer, military partners, manufacturers of eVTOL aircraft as well as airlines and operators of commercial and business aircraft worldwide.
