A heat exchanger system for an aircraft comprises nacelle having an inlet and an outlet, a nacelle heat exchanger within the nacelle, and a fan system within the nacelle. Air flows into the nacelle through the inlet and out of the nacelle through the outlet. The nacelle heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat away from a coolant using the air in an airflow to the nacelle heat exchanger. The fan system is configured to increase the airflow to the nacelle heat exchanger.

A multiple energy source management system for an integrated hydrogen-electric engine is disclosed, the system includes a first and a second energy source providing energy to the integrated hydrogen-electric engine. A pre-charge load to provide an energy demand to a selected energy source. A sensor monitoring a power output from the first and/or second energy source. A relay to switch between the first and second energy sources. A computer system to receive an output energy of the first energy source, determine if the output energy is below a threshold value, switch the relay from the first state to the third state for a predetermined period of time, based on the determination, pre-charge the second energy source by the pre-charge load; and switch the relay to the second state after the predetermined period of time.

A fuel cell system configured to provide electrical power to an electrical motor producing propulsive thrust for an aircraft includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks radially arranged about a central cavity. Fuel cell plates within each of the fuel cell stacks are oriented such that major surfaces of the fuel cell plates are parallel to an airflow created by the aircraft as it moves through the air. The fuel cell system further includes a plurality of cooling devices disposed in radial cavities located between at least two fuel cell stacks in the plurality of fuel cell stacks.

A fuel cell system configured to provide electrical power to an electrical motor producing propulsive thrust for an aircraft includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks radially arranged about a central cavity. Fuel cell plates within each of the fuel cell stacks are oriented such that major surfaces of the fuel cell plates are parallel to an airflow created by the aircraft as it moves through the air. The fuel cell system further includes a plurality of cooling devices disposed in radial cavities located between at least two fuel cell stacks in the plurality of fuel cell stacks.

Disclosed is a method for displaying actionable information on an electronic vehicle display panel which includes: receiving data from a plurality of sensors. The data received from each of the plurality of sensors is analyzed to determine a data category for the data from each sensor, wherein each data category corresponds to an information priority level. The data from each of the plurality of sensors is displayed according to the determined data category, wherein data within a data category corresponding to a high information priority level is displayed more prominently relative to other data, and wherein data within a data category corresponding to a low information priority level is displayed less prominently relative to other data; and displaying at least a portion of the data as at least one from the set of: a fuel cell voltage difference, a hydrogen flow rate, a temperature discrepancy, and a rate of temperature change.

A propulsion system for an aircraft as disclosed herein may include a nacelle, a shaft positioned centrally within a cylindrical passageway of the nacelle, a fan coupled to one end of the shaft, a turbine coupled to an opposite end of the shaft, an electric motor coupled to the shaft, a compressor positioned within the cylindrical passageway, and a solid oxide fuel cell positioned with a hollow ring-shaped interior of the nacelle. The hollow ring-shaped interior may surround and be isolated from the cylindrical passageway. The turbine may be configured to provide primary torque to the shaft while the electric motor may be configured to provide additional torque to the shaft. The electric motor may be powered an electric output of the solid oxide fuel cell while the turbine may be powered at least in part by output gases from the solid oxide fuel cell.

A propulsion system for an aircraft as disclosed herein may include a nacelle, a shaft positioned centrally within a cylindrical passageway of the nacelle, a fan coupled to one end of the shaft, a turbine coupled to an opposite end of the shaft, an electric motor coupled to the shaft, a compressor positioned within the cylindrical passageway, and a solid oxide fuel cell positioned with a hollow ring-shaped interior of the nacelle. The hollow ring-shaped interior may surround and be isolated from the cylindrical passageway. The turbine may be configured to provide primary torque to the shaft while the electric motor may be configured to provide additional torque to the shaft. The electric motor may be powered an electric output of the solid oxide fuel cell while the turbine may be powered at least in part by output gases from the solid oxide fuel cell.

Embodiments of a propulsion system are provided herein. In some embodiments, a propulsion system for an aircraft may include an electrical power supply; a motor coupled to the electrical power supply, wherein the electrical power supply provides power to the motor; and a fan disposed proximate a rear portion of an aircraft and rotatably coupled to the motor, wherein the fan is driven by the motor.

A solar powered aircraft having segmented wings that can be reconfigured during flight to optimize collection of solar energy are described. The aircraft have rigid construction that is resistant to inclement weather and is configured to rely on free flight control at high altitude and under conventional conditions, thereby providing flight duration in excess of 2 months. The aircraft is particularly suitable for use as part of a telecommunications network. A telecommunications network incorporating such aircraft is also discussed.

A combustion section defines an axial direction, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction. The combustion section includes a casing that defines a diffusion chamber. A combustion liner is disposed within the diffusion chamber and defines a combustion chamber the combustion liner is spaced apart from the casing such that a passageway is defined between the combustion liner and the casing. A fuel cell assembly is disposed in the passageway. The fuel cell assembly includes a fuel cell stack that has a plurality of fuel cells each extending between an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end receives a flow of air and fuel and the outlet end provides output products to the combustion chamber. The fuel cell assembly further includes an electrical circuit that is electrically coupled to the plurality of fuel cells and that extends through the casing.