# US 11,305,879 B2 · Propulsion system cooling control > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,305,879 B2 - Document ID: US11305879B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/360,277 - Filed: 2019-03-21 - Published: 2019-09-26 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2018-03-23 - Assignees: Raytheon Technologies Corporation - Applicants: United Technologies Corporation - Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz; Michael Winter - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11305879B2 ## CPC - B64D 13/08: the air being heated or cooled - B01D 45/08: by impingement against baffle separators - B01D 53/002: {by condensation} - B03C 1/288: {disposed at the outer circumference of a recipient} - B64D 13/06: the air being conditioned (pressurising B64D13/02) - B64D 27/12: within, or attached to, wings - B64D 33/08: of power plant cooling systems - F01D 15/00: Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of engines with devices driven thereby - F01D 25/12: Cooling - F02C 6/08: the gas being bled from the gas-turbine compressor - F02C 7/141: of working fluid - F02C 7/143: before or between the compressor stages - F02C 7/16: characterised by cooling medium - F02C 7/185: {Cooling means for reducing the temperature of the cooling air or gas} - F02C 9/18: by bleeding, bypassing or acting on variable working fluid interconnections between turbines or compressors or their stages {(F02C3/113 takes precedence)} - F02K 3/06: with front fan - F17C 7/02: Discharging liquefied gases - F17C 7/04: with change of state, e.g. vaporisation - F25B 9/14: characterised by the cycle used, e.g. Stirling cycle - F25J 1/0012: {Primary atmospheric gases, e.g. air} - F25J 1/0035: {by gas expansion with extraction of work} - F25J 1/0221: {using the cold stored in an external cryogenic component in an open refrigeration loop} - F25J 1/0275: {adapted for special use of the liquefaction unit, e.g. portable or transportable devices} - F25J 3/04254: {using the cold stored in external cryogenic fluids (closed loop F25J3/04278)} - F25J 3/0429: {of feed air, e.g. used as waste or product air or expanded into an auxiliary column} - F25J 3/04533: {for the direct combustion of fuels in a power plant, so-called "oxyfuel combustion"} - F25J 3/04563: {Integration with a nitrogen consuming unit, e.g. for purging, inerting, cooling or heating} - F25J 3/046: {Completely integrated air feed compression, i.e. common MAC} - F25J 3/04636: {using a hybrid air separation unit, e.g. combined process by cryogenic separation and non-cryogenic separation techniques (F25J3/04733 and F25J3/04757 take precedence)} - F25J 3/04975: {adapted for special use of the air fractionation unit, e.g. transportable devices by truck or small scale use} - B64D 37/32: Safety measures not otherwise provided for, e.g. preventing explosive conditions - B64D 2013/0614: {with subsystems for cooling avionics} - B64D 2013/0659: {comprising provisions for cooling fuel systems} - B64D 2013/0674: {comprising liquid subsystems} - B64D 2013/0677: {comprising on board oxygen generator systems} - B64D 2013/0681: {with oxygen control} - F05D 2220/323: for aircraft propulsion, e.g. jet engines - F05D 2260/205: Cooling fluid recirculation, i.e. after cooling one or more components is the cooling fluid recovered and used elsewhere for other purposes - F05D 2260/211: by intercooling, e.g. during a compression cycle - F05D 2260/232: characterized by the cooling medium - F05D 2260/60: Fluid transfer - F25J 2205/86: using electrical phenomena, e.g. Corona discharge, electrolysis or magnetic field - F25J 2210/40: Air or oxygen enriched air, i.e. generally less than 30mol% of O2 - F25J 2215/40: Air or oxygen enriched air, i.e. generally less than 30mol% of O2 - F25J 2230/08: Cold compressor, i.e. suction of the gas at cryogenic temperature and generally without afterstage-cooler - F25J 2230/30: Compression of the feed stream - F25J 2240/42: the fluid being air - F25J 2240/80: Hot exhaust gas turbine combustion engine - F25J 2290/70: Processing device is mobile or transportable, e.g. by hand, car, ship, rocket engine etc. - Y02T 50/50: On board measures aiming to increase energy efficiency - Y02T 50/60: Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft - B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - B03C: MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS (separating isotopes B01D59/00; combinations of magnetic or electrostatic separation with separation of solids by other means B03B, B07B) - F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D) - F02C: GAS-TURBINE PLANTS; AIR INTAKES FOR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS; CONTROLLING FUEL SUPPLY IN AIR-BREATHING JET-PROPULSION PLANTS (construction of turbines F01D; jet-propulsion plants F02K; construction of compressors or fans F04; generating combustion products of high pressure or high velocity F23R; using gas turbines in compression refrigeration plants F25B11/00) - F02K: JET-PROPULSION PLANTS (features of jet-propulsion plants common to gas-turbine plants, air intakes or fuel supply control of air-breathing jet-propulsion plants F02C7/00, F02C9/00) - F17C: VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES (storing fluids in natural or artificial cavities or chambers in the earth B65G5/00; construction or assembling of bulk storage containers employing civil-engineering techniques E04H7/00; variable-capacity gas-holders F17B; liquefaction or refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25) - F25B: REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS - F25J: LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS {OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS} MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT {OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE (cryogenic pumps F04B37/08; gas storage vessels, gas holders F17; filing vessels with, or discharging from vessels, compressed, liquefied or solidified gases F17C; refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25B)} - F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION ## Abstract A propulsion system includes an electric fan propulsion motor with a plurality of propulsion motor windings. The propulsion system also includes a means for controlling a flow rate of a working fluid through a cryogenic working fluid flow control assembly to the propulsion motor windings. The propulsion system further includes a controller operable to control supplying a pre-cooling flow of the working fluid from a cryogenic liquid reservoir through the cryogenic working fluid flow control assembly to the propulsion motor windings. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A propulsion system comprising: an electric fan propulsion motor comprising a plurality of propulsion motor windings; a means for controlling a flow rate of a working fluid through a cryogenic working fluid flow control assembly to the propulsion motor windings, wherein the cryogenic working fluid flow control assembly comprises a manifold and a purge valve proximate to a housing of the electric fan propulsion motor; a means for cryogenic cooling comprising a cryogenic liquid reservoir; and a controller operable to control supplying a pre-cooling flow of the working fluid from the cryogenic liquid reservoir through the cryogenic working fluid flow control assembly to the propulsion motor windings, wherein the working fluid comprises liquid air released from the cryogenic liquid reservoir, cool gaseous air, and/or a mix of liquid air and gaseous air. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The propulsion system of claim 1, wherein the controller is operable to: increase a flow rate of the working fluid to supply a full cooling flow from the cryogenic liquid reservoir through the cryogenic working fluid flow control assembly to the propulsion motor windings; cycle the purge valve to vent a gaseous accumulation of the working fluid; and deliver the working fluid in a liquid state to the propulsion motor windings during operation of the electric fan propulsion motor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The propulsion system of claim 2, wherein the cryogenic working fluid flow control assembly comprises a main flow control valve operable to control the flow rate of the working fluid through a primary cooling line of the cryogenic working fluid flow control assembly to the propulsion motor windings. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The propulsion system of claim 3, wherein the main flow control valve is a variable position valve operable to transition between a closed position, a partially opened position to supply the pre-cooling flow, and a fully opened position to supply the full cooling flow. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The propulsion system of claim 3, wherein the cryogenic working fluid flow control assembly comprises a bypass cooling line and a bypass flow control valve configured to selectively provide the pre-cooling flow as a bypass cooling flow around the main flow control valve. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The propulsion system of claim 2, further comprising one or more temperature sensors, wherein the controller is operable to control changes in the flow rate of the working fluid and timing of opening and closing the purge valve based on temperature data from the one or more temperature sensors. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The propulsion system of claim 2, further comprising one or more pressure sensors, wherein the controller is operable to control changes in the flow rate of the working fluid and timing of opening and closing the purge valve based on pressure data from the one or more pressure sensors. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The propulsion system of claim 2, wherein a speed of the electric fan propulsion motor is limited responsive to confirming whether the working fluid is reaching the propulsion motor windings in the liquid state. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The propulsion system of claim 2, wherein the controller is operable to decrease a flow rate of the working fluid from the full cooling flow to a reduced cooling flow prior to disabling a flow of the working fluid from the cryogenic liquid reservoir through the cryogenic working fluid flow control assembly to the propulsion motor windings. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The propulsion system of claim 2, further comprising a cryogenic cartridge that comprises a coupling interface configured to detachably establish fluid communication with a feeder line and the cryogenic cartridge comprises the cryogenic liquid reservoir. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The propulsion system of claim 10, wherein the cryogenic cartridge comprises a rapid release component operable to depressurize the cryogenic liquid reservoir upon impact. ### Claim 12 (depends on 3) The propulsion system of claim 3, further comprising a check valve coupled to the primary cooling line and a cooling source that is non-cryogenic, wherein the check valve is configured to supply a non-cryogenic cooling flow from the cooling source to the propulsion motor windings through the check valve, the primary cooling line, and the manifold. ### Claim 13 A propulsion system comprising: an electric fan propulsion motor comprising a plurality of propulsion motor windings; a cryogenic cooling system configured to control a flow rate of a working fluid through a cryogenic working fluid flow control assembly to the propulsion motor windings, wherein the cryogenic working fluid flow control assembly comprises a manifold and a purge valve proximate to a housing of the electric fan propulsion motor; a cryogenic liquid reservoir; and a controller operable to control supplying a pre-cooling flow of the working fluid from the cryogenic liquid reservoir through the cryogenic working fluid flow control assembly to the propulsion motor windings, wherein the working fluid comprises liquid air released from the cryogenic liquid reservoir, cool gaseous air, and/or a mix of liquid air and gaseous air. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The propulsion system of claim 13, wherein the controller is operable to: increase a flow rate of the working fluid to supply a full cooling flow from the cryogenic liquid reservoir through the cryogenic working fluid flow control assembly to the propulsion motor windings; cycle the purge valve to vent a gaseous accumulation of the working fluid; and deliver the working fluid in a liquid state to the propulsion motor windings during operation of the electric fan propulsion motor. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The propulsion system of claim 14, wherein the cryogenic working fluid flow control assembly comprises a main flow control valve operable to control the flow rate of the working fluid through a primary cooling line of the cryogenic working fluid flow control assembly to the propulsion motor windings. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The propulsion system of claim 15, wherein the main flow control valve is a variable position valve operable to transition between a closed position, a partially opened position to supply the pre-cooling flow, and a fully opened position to supply the full cooling flow. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The propulsion system of claim 15, wherein the cryogenic working fluid flow control assembly comprises a bypass cooling line and a bypass flow control valve configured to selectively provide the pre-cooling flow as a bypass cooling flow around the main flow control valve. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The propulsion system of claim 14, further comprising one or more temperature sensors, wherein the controller is operable to control changes in the flow rate of the working fluid and timing of opening and closing the purge valve based on temperature data from the one or more temperature sensors. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The propulsion system of claim 14, further comprising: a pump operable to urge the working fluid into the cryogenic working fluid flow control assembly and maintain a desired pressure; and one or more pressure sensors, wherein the controller is operable to control changes in the flow rate of the working fluid and timing of opening and closing the purge valve based on pressure data from the one or more pressure sensors. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The propulsion system of claim 14, wherein a speed of the electric fan propulsion motor is limited responsive to confirming whether the working fluid is reaching the propulsion motor windings in the liquid state.