Patent classifications
B64D2041/005
FLIGHT VEHICLE
Provided is a flight vehicle that makes it possible to prevent electricity generation by a fuel cell from being stopped in flight even when a mistaken operation is conducted. The flight vehicle including a fuel cell and a propeller, the propeller to be driven by electric power generated by the fuel cell, the flight vehicle including: a stop device giving an instruction to stop the generation of electricity by the fuel cell; a control unit processing stopping of the generation of electricity by the fuel cell; a leg part grounding when the flight vehicle lands, to support a load of the flight vehicle; and a sensor detecting the load applied to the leg part, wherein the control unit permits the stopping of the generation of electricity based on signals from the stop device and the sensor only if a predetermined amount of the load is applied to the leg part.
CRYOGENIC FLUID HEAT EXCHANGER SYSTEM FOR AN AIRCRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL SYSTEM (ECS)
An environmental control system (ECS) for an aircraft includes a primary heat exchanger, a compressor including an inlet fluidically connected to the primary heat exchanger, a turbine operatively connected to the compressor, and a cryogenic fluid heat exchanger fluidically connected to the primary heat exchanger.
METHODS AND DEVICES FOR MEASURING MASS FLOW OF GASEOUS FLUIDS
A flowmeter for gaseous fluid includes a conduit composed of non-electrically conductive material for passage of an ionized flow of the gaseous fluid therethrough. The flowmeter further includes an electromagnetic sensor arranged to measure a magnetic field generated about the conduit by the passage of the ionized flow and generate a signal proportional to the magnetic field.
HYDROGEN SYSTEMS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL SYSTEMS ONBOARD AIRCRAFT
Aircraft systems including a pressurized fuel tank containing a pressurized fuel, a turbo expander configured to receive the pressurized fuel from the fuel tank, the turbo expander configured to decrease a pressure of the pressurized fuel to generate low pressure fuel having pressure less than the pressurized fuel, a fuel-to-air heat exchanger configured to receive the low pressure fuel from the turbo expander as a first working fluid and air as a second working fluid, the heat exchanger configured to cool the air and warm the fuel, an aircraft cabin configured to receive the cooled air, and a fuel consumption system configured to consume the fuel to generate power.
ENERGY STORAGE
An aircraft has an aircraft propulsor and/or an aircraft propulsor drive. The aircraft propulsor and/or an aircraft propulsor drive acts as a waste heat source. The aircraft has a metal-air fuel cell. The aircraft has a waste heat transfer system configured to thermally couple the metal-air fuel cell and a waste heat source. The aircraft includes a control system configured to operate the waste heat transfer system to selectively transfer waste heat from the waste heat source to the metal-air fuel cell.
Spraying water in ram air for fuel cell power systems in aircraft
A fuel cell power system including at least one fuel cell, a ram air system and a cooling circuit in which coolant is intended to circulate for regulating a temperature of the at least one fuel cell. The cooling circuit comprises a ram air heat exchanger in the ram air system and the ram air system comprises a nozzle. The fuel cell power system further comprises a water tank and the fuel cell power system is arranged to flow water from the water tank to the ram air system so as to spray water in ram air via the nozzle. Thus, dimensioning of the ram air system which includes the ram air heat exchanger is reduced.
Hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system
Disclosed herein is a system comprising: a hydrogen fuel cell; a fuel storage tank; a regulator coupled to the storage tank and the fuel cell; an electronic auto pilot; a rechargeable battery; a power electronics module for delivering power from the fuel cell to the autopilot and the battery; and a heat exchanger coupled to the fuel cell. The fuel cell is characterized by: a minimum continuous power output of no more than 25 W; a maximum continuous power output of no less than 5000 W; a specific power of at least 200 W/kg based on the mass of the fuel cell and any control electronics, cooling components, air delivery components, and water management components; an ability to operate at least 2 psig of hydrogen at an inlet; and an ability to operate at temperatures up to 90° C.
LIGHTER-THAN-AIR CRAFT WITH HYDROGEN PROPULSION
A lighter-than-air craft including an envelope. A mixture of helium and hydrogen disposed within the envelope. The mixture having a ratio of helium to hydrogen such that the mixture is nonflammable during operating conditions for the lighter-than-air craft. The mixture provides buoyancy for the lighter-than-air craft. A hydrogen fuel cell fluidically coupled with the mixture and configured to utilize the mixture to generate electricity. A propulsion system is coupled to the envelope, and the propulsion system is configured to provide propulsion for the lighter-than-air craft. The propulsion system is electrically coupled with the hydrogen fuel cell and receives electricity generated by the hydrogen fuel cell. The propulsion system is configured to utilize the electricity in providing the propulsion to the lighter-than-air craft.
CAPTURE OF HYDROGEN BOILOFF
A hydrogen boiloff capture system. The hydrogen boiloff capture system having a cryogenic tank for storing liquid hydrogen. The hydrogen boiloff capture system also includes an intermediate tank fluidically coupled with the cryogenic tank. The intermediate tank is configured to receive hydrogen gas boiloff from the cryogenic tank. The intermediate tank is further configured to provide the hydrogen gas boiloff to a lighter-than-air craft to regulate buoyancy of the lighter-than-air craft. The intermediate tank is also configured to provide the hydrogen gas boiloff to a hydrogen fuel cell coupled to the lighter-than-air craft.
AIRCRAFT EVACUATION SYSTEM WITH HYDROGEN INFLATION
A system and method for an aircraft evacuation system with hydrogen inflation is disclosed. The system includes an aircraft having an integrated hydrogen-electric engine. A fuel cell stack for powering an aircraft motor of the integrated hydrogen-electric engine. A hydrogen fuel source in fluid communication with the fuel cell stack, the hydrogen fuel source containing hydrogen. An inflatable slide and a pump operably coupled with the hydrogen fuel source and the inflatable slide to selectively pump the hydrogen to the inflatable slide for inflating the inflatable slide.