Patent classifications
B64D37/00
Method of controlling gas generator power and torque output
The present disclosure is directed to a system for controlling an output of a gas generator via an operator manipulated input device. The system includes one or more sensors measuring one or more environmental conditions, a gas generator shaft speed, and a power turbine torque. The system further includes an operator manipulated input device and one or more controllers including one or more processors and one or more memory devices. The one or more memory devices stores instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to perform operations. The operations include receiving, via an operator manipulated input device, a throttle lever position defining at least an idle position, a takeoff position, and one or more intermediate positions therebetween; receiving, via one or more sensors, one or more environmental conditions, wherein the environmental condition includes one or more of an ambient air temperature, an ambient air pressure, and an ambient airflow rate; determining, via the controller, a first commanded fuel flow of the gas generator based on a gas generator speed output curve based at least on the throttle lever position, the one or more environmental conditions, and a coefficient reference table; determining, via the controller, a second commanded fuel flow of the gas generator based on a power turbine torque output curve based at least on the one or more environmental conditions; and generating, via the gas generator, a gas generator output based on the first commanded fuel flow or the second commanded fuel flow.
Thermal regulation of batteries
A battery thermal management system for an air vehicle includes a first heat exchange circuit, a battery in thermal communication with the first heat exchange circuit, and a heat exchanger positioned on the first heat exchange circuit. The heat exchanger is operatively connected to a second heat exchange circuit. The system includes a controller operatively connected to the second heat exchange circuit. The controller is configured to variably select whether heat will be rejected to the second heat exchange circuit. A method for controlling a thermal management system for an air vehicle includes determining an expected fluid temperature of fluid in a fluid heat exchange circuit. The method includes commanding a flow restrictor at least partially closed or commanding the flow restrictor at least partially open.
Method and Apparatus for Controlling Fuel Flow into an Aircraft Engine
Based upon a measured first resistance, a first delta curve is selected. Based upon a measured second resistance, a second delta curve is selected. A first fuel valve position (FVP) is received from a first position sensor, and the first FVP is applied to the first delta curve to obtain a first offset. A second FVP is received from a second position sensor, and the second FVP is applied to second delta curve to obtain a second offset. The first offset is applied to the first measured FVP to obtain the first compensated FVP and the second offset is applied to the second measured FVP to obtain the second compensated FVP. The first compensated FVP and the second compensated FVP are correlated to obtain a final compensated FVP, which is applied to a desired fuel valve position,
Aircraft engines with a fuel cell
A ramjet including: a combustion area having an air inlet and an exhaust outlet; and a fuel cell in fluid communication with the air inlet and a fuel supply of the ramjet, wherein the fuel cell is in thermal communication with the combustion area.
Aircraft engines with a fuel cell
A ramjet including: a combustion area having an air inlet and an exhaust outlet; and a fuel cell in fluid communication with the air inlet and a fuel supply of the ramjet, wherein the fuel cell is in thermal communication with the combustion area.
Installation tool and method
An apparatus and method for installing an aircraft bulkhead connector with a bulkhead is disclosed where access to only one side of the bulkhead is required. The disclosure is also applicable to installation of bulkhead connectors in aircraft fuel tanks. An aircraft bulkhead connector and installation tool is also disclosed. The bulkhead connector includes a female end portion and the installation tool includes a male end portion. The male end portion of the installation tool is removably engaged with the female end portion of the bulkhead connector, such that the installation tool protrudes beyond the female end portion of the bulkhead connector. The installation tool may be inserted through an aperture in a bulkhead and used to both position and hold the bulkhead connector during the installation process.
AIRCRAFT FUEL PUMPING SYSTEM
A fuel pumping system of an aircraft, having a first boost pump; a main pump; a main pump feed conduit fluidly coupled to the main pump and configured to receive fuel after it has passed through the first boost pump; a main pump discharge conduit fluidly coupled to the main pump; an ejector fluidly coupled to the main pump feed conduit, between the first boost pump and the main pump; a bypass conduit fluidly coupled to the main pump discharge conduit and the ejector such that the bypass conduit is configured to provide fluid to the ejector drawn from the output of the first boost pump into the main pump; and a backpressure regulating valve fluidly coupled to the bypass conduit, and configured to transition to an open state when pressure in the main pump discharge conduit is above a threshold.
AIRCRAFT FUEL PUMPING SYSTEM
A fuel pumping system of an aircraft, having a first boost pump; a main pump; a main pump feed conduit fluidly coupled to the main pump and configured to receive fuel after it has passed through the first boost pump; a main pump discharge conduit fluidly coupled to the main pump; an ejector fluidly coupled to the main pump feed conduit, between the first boost pump and the main pump; a bypass conduit fluidly coupled to the main pump discharge conduit and the ejector such that the bypass conduit is configured to provide fluid to the ejector drawn from the output of the first boost pump into the main pump; and a backpressure regulating valve fluidly coupled to the bypass conduit, and configured to transition to an open state when pressure in the main pump discharge conduit is above a threshold.
System and method for detecting a fuel leak in an aircraft
A method of and a system for detecting a fuel leak in an aircraft, the aircraft comprising a first engine and a second engine. The method comprises upon determining that the aircraft has reached a first mode of operation: acquiring a first baseline fuel flow of the first engine; acquiring a second baseline fuel flow of the second engine. The method further comprises monitoring a first current fuel flow measured at the first engine and a second current fuel flow measured at the second engine; and triggering a fuel leak detection based on an analysis of the first baseline fuel flow, the first current fuel flow, the second baseline fuel flow and the second current fuel flow.
System and method for detecting a fuel leak in an aircraft
A method of and a system for detecting a fuel leak in an aircraft, the aircraft comprising a first engine and a second engine. The method comprises upon determining that the aircraft has reached a first mode of operation: acquiring a first baseline fuel flow of the first engine; acquiring a second baseline fuel flow of the second engine. The method further comprises monitoring a first current fuel flow measured at the first engine and a second current fuel flow measured at the second engine; and triggering a fuel leak detection based on an analysis of the first baseline fuel flow, the first current fuel flow, the second baseline fuel flow and the second current fuel flow.