Integrated power and pressurization system
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsJean-Luc Derouineau, Bjoern Schenk, Clarence Lui
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An integrated power and pressurization management system supplies electrical power and cabin pressurization and cooling air during both airborne and ground operations. The system includes an integral auxiliary power unit (APU) that has a compressor, a motor-generator, and a power turbine all mounted on one shaft. The integral APU can supply compressed air for cabin pressurization and environmental cooling functions, and can generate electrical power for various electrical loads. The system further includes one or more electrically driven compressors.
Claims23
An integrated power and cabin pressurization system for selectively generating electrical power and supplying cabin pressurization air to an aircraft cabin, the system comprising:
- a combustor having a compressed air inlet and a combustor air outlet, the compressed air inlet adapted to receive a flow of compressed air;
- a power turbine having an air inlet coupled to receive a flow of air from either (i) the combustor or (ii) the aircraft cabin, the power turbine operable, upon receipt of the flow of air, to supply a rotational drive force;
- a motor-generator coupled to the power turbine and configured to operate in either a motor mode, in which the motor-generator supplies a rotational drive force, or a generate mode, in which the motor-generator receives the rotational drive force supplied by the power turbine;
- and
- a compressor having a ram air inlet and a compressed air outlet, the compressor coupled to only receive the rotational drive force supplied from the power turbine or the motor-generator and no other electrically powered prime movers, the compressor operable, upon receipt of the rotational drive force, to supply compressed air to the compressed air inlet via the compressor compressed air outlet.
An integrated power and cabin pressurization system for selectively generating electrical power and supplying cabin pressurization air to an aircraft cabin, the system comprising:
- a combustor having a compressed air inlet and a combustor air outlet, the compressed air inlet adapted to receive a flow of compressed air;
- a power turbine having an air inlet coupled to receive a flow of air from either (i) the combustor or (ii) the aircraft cabin, the power turbine operable, upon receipt of the flow of air, to supply a rotational drive force;
- a motor-generator coupled to the power turbine and configured to operate in either a motor mode, in which the motor-generator supplies the rotational drive force, or a generate mode, in which the motor-generator receives the rotational drive force supplied by the power turbine;
- a cooling turbine coupled to the power turbine and the motor-generator, the cooling turbine having an air inlet coupled to receive a flow of air and operable, upon receipt thereof, to assist in supplying the drive force;
- and
- a compressor having a ram air inlet and a compressed air outlet, the compressor coupled to only receive the rotational drive force supplied from the power turbine, the cooling turbine, or the motor-generator and no other electrically powered prime movers, the compressor operable, upon receipt of the rotational drive force, to supply compressed air to the compressed air inlet via the compressor compressed air outlet.
An integrated power and cabin pressurization system for selectively generating electrical power and supplying cabin pressurization air to an aircraft cabin, the system comprising:
- a combustor having a compressed air inlet and a combustor air outlet, the compressed air inlet adapted to receive a flow of compressed air;
- a power turbine having an air inlet coupled to receive a flow of air from either (i) the combustor or (ii) the aircraft cabin, the power turbine operable, upon receipt of the flow of air, to supply a rotational drive force;
- a motor-generator coupled to the power turbine and configured to operate in either a motor mode, in which the motor-generator supplies the rotational drive force, or a generate mode, in which the motor-generator receives the rotational drive force supplied by the power turbine;
- a cooling turbine coupled to the power turbine and the motor-generator, the cooling turbine having an air inlet coupled to receive a flow of air and operable, upon receipt thereof, to assist in supplying the drive force;
- a compressor having a ram air inlet and a compressed air outlet, the compressor coupled to only receive the rotational drive force supplied from the power turbine, the cooling turbine, or the motor-generator and no other electrically powered prime movers, the compressor operable, upon receipt of the rotational drive force, to supply compressed air to the compressed air inlet via the compressor compressed air outlet;
- and
- a fuel cell disposed between the compressed air inlet and the compressed air outlet.
An integrated power and cabin pressurization system for selectively generating electrical power and supplying cabin pressurization air to an aircraft cabin, the system comprising:
- a combustor having a compressed air inlet and a combustor air outlet, the compressed air inlet adapted to receive a flow of compressed air;
- a power turbine having an air inlet coupled to receive a flow of air from either (i) the combustor or (ii) the aircraft cabin, the power turbine operable, upon receipt of the flow of air, to supply a rotational drive force;
- a motor-generator coupled to the power turbine and configured to operate in either a motor mode, in which the motor-generator supplies a rotational drive force, or a generate mode, in which the motor-generator receives the rotational drive force supplied by the power turbine;
- a compressor having a ram air inlet and a compressed air outlet, the compressor coupled to only receive the rotational drive force supplied from the power turbine or the motor-generator and no other electrically powered prime movers, the compressor operable, upon receipt of the rotational drive force, to supply compressed air to the compressed air inlet via the compressor compressed air outlet;
- and
- an air cooling system coupled between the cabin air supply conduit and the aircraft cabin, the air cooling system operable to cool the compressed air prior to it being discharged into the aircraft cabin, the air cooling system including:
- an airflow duct,
- a cooling system fan disposed within the airflow duct, and
- a fan motor-generator coupled to the fan.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.