Aircraft fluid release system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fluid release system for a fuel cell, the system comprising: a conduit for conveying water from the fuel cell to one or more outlets; and a drainage device arranged to selectively release water from the one or more outlets, wherein the drainage device is arranged to controllably open the one or more outlets to selectively release water from the one or more outlets.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to fluid release systems, particularly aircraft fluid release systems that may cause significant damage to the environment. Background Art

[0002] According to most estimates, air traffic volume will double every fifteen years, thus significantly increasing the operation of land-based and subsequently air propulsion systems, and therefore increasing associated emissions. It is well known that emissions are harmful whether generated on the ground or at altitude.

[0003] To meet the emission reduction targets set by the International Air Transport Association, the use of alternative fuels has been identified as a possible avenue of exploration. Alternative fuels include biofuels, synthetic kerosene, and compressed natural gas. Additionally, the ACARE Roadmap for 2050 has identified the need to significantly reduce a range of emissions and set targets. It is widely recognized that the opportunities to approach or achieve these targets are limited.

[0004] To address these issues, many propulsion systems have been adopted in different aircraft. Most systems use fossil fuel sources for economic reasons, also because of their very high energy density and specific energy. The popularity of gas turbines has also led to fossil fuels being the desired propulsion mechanism for aircraft. This has led to the development of improving the performance of gas turbines burning fossil fuels. However, these gas turbines still produce water vapor. Engines using other forms of energy carriers such as hydrogen have been shown to emit less, but may release large amounts of water, which may be released into the atmosphere.

[0005] Many modern systems focus on trying to limit the impact of aircraft CO 2 emissions in order to reduce the negative environmental impact of aircraft use. It is well known that this approach may help limit the negative impact of aircraft use. However, some studies speculate that the need to reduce CO 2 may lead to an increase in contrails.

[0006] In addition to the emissions from exhaust, it is known that contrail emissions are relatively more damaging to the environment. The water vapor that rapidly condenses on an aircraft may freeze, forming a cirrus-type cloud approximately one mile wide, may form complex merged cloud systems, and may persist for minutes or hours. The effects of these clouds, including high-level clouds, are complex but can be simplified as follows: 1) Clouds reflect and may absorb incident radiation, such as visible light and infrared, thus causing potential local temperature increases while providing shielding for features below the cloud from other higher heating effects. 2) High-level clouds on warmer surfaces may absorb and reflect radiation, thus causing temperature increases for features near the cloud and those below it.

[0007] The following characteristics further emphasize this point: A) High-level clouds may result in greater reflection back to Earth compared to low-level clouds of similar size; B) High-level clouds of the same size as low-level clouds provide a smaller area to reflect radiation away from Earth; and C) The amount of radiation absorbed and reflected depends on droplet / crystal geometry, temperature, and extent.

[0008] Modern research shows that by 2050, the warming effect of contrails is expected to triple. This may be greater than the impact of CO 2 .

[0009] Therefore, despite these advancements, there are still many issues affecting aircraft emissions reduction. However, the inventors of the invention described herein have created an alternative fluid release system with the extensive previously unavailable advantages described herein. Summary of the Invention

[0010] Aspects of the present invention are set forth in the following sections of this document.

[0011] In a first aspect, there is provided a fluid release system for a fuel cell, the system comprising: a conduit to convey water from the fuel cell to one or more outlets; and a drainage device arranged to selectively release water from the one or more outlets, wherein the drainage device is arranged to controllably open the one or more outlets to selectively release water from the one or more outlets.

[0012] In a second aspect, there is provided a fluid release control system for controlling the release of fluid from an aircraft, the system comprising: a controller to detect at least one of atmospheric conditions and geographical information; a transmitter to transmit a signal based on the at least one of the detected atmospheric conditions and geographical information, the transmitter transmitting the signal to a receiver on the aircraft in use, wherein, in response to receiving a signal based on the at least one of the detected atmospheric conditions and geographical information, water is released from the aircraft.

[0013] In a third aspect, there is provided a method of releasing fluid from a hydrogen fuel cell, the method comprising: providing a conduit for conveying water from the fuel cell to an outlet; providing a drainage device arranged to selectively release water from one or more outlets; and controllably opening the one or more outlets to selectively release water from the one or more outlets.

[0014] In a fourth aspect, there is provided a fluid release system for a power generation element, the system comprising: a conduit to convey water from the power generation element to one or more outlets; and a drainage device arranged to selectively release water from the one or more outlets, wherein the drainage device is arranged to controllably open the one or more outlets to selectively release water from the one or more outlets. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] One or more embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0016] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a fluid release system according to an example of the present invention is shown;

[0017] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an aircraft is shown;

[0018] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an aircraft is shown;

[0019] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of an aircraft according to an example of the present invention is shown;

[0020] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of an aircraft according to an example of the present invention is shown;

[0021] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of an aircraft according to an example of the present invention is shown;

[0022] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of an air flight path passing through the wake height boundary where controlled wake formation may occur below 2000 feet and then returning below 2000 feet is shown;

[0023] Figure 8 A block diagram of the fluid release system is shown.

[0024] Any reference in this specification to prior art documents should not be taken as an admission that such prior art is well known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the art. The words "comprising...", "containing..." and similar words used in this specification should not be construed in an exclusive or exhaustive sense. In other words, they mean "including but not limited to...". The present invention is further described with reference to the following embodiments. It should be understood that the claimed invention is not intended to be limited in any way by these examples. It should also be recognized that the present invention covers not only individual embodiments but also combinations of the embodiments described herein.

[0025] The various embodiments described herein are only for helping to understand and teach the claimed features. These embodiments are provided only as representative examples of the embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. It should be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described herein should not be considered as limitations on the scope of the invention defined by the claims or on the equivalents of the claims, and that other embodiments may be used and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. The various embodiments of the invention may suitably include, consist of, or consist essentially of suitable combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., in addition to those specifically described herein. Additionally, the present disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future. Detailed Description

[0026] The present invention relates to fluid release systems, particularly aircraft fluid release systems that may result in significant harmful gas emissions.

[0027] Figure 1 A fluid release system of a fuel cell is shown, which has a conduit to convey water from the fuel cell to one or more outlets. The system also has a drainage device arranged to selectively release water from the one or more outlets. The drainage device is arranged to selectively open the one or more outlets to selectively release water from the one or more outlets.

[0028] Current fuel emission systems on aircraft focus on reducing harmful emissions generated during the use of such aircraft. In terms of environmental benefits, reducing these emissions can bring advantages. Regarding radiative forcing, contrails are particularly important and attention is paid to reducing the generation of these contrails.

[0029] Figure 1 The arrangement shown in [reference] can be used to reduce such harmful emissions. In Figure 1 A drainage device is shown that controllably releases water from the conduit to the outlet. Then the water leaves the device. The water can be prevented from leaving the device in order to reduce harmful emissions in the form of water vapor, which may cause positive radiative forcing and thus contribute to climate change.

[0030] The system shown allows for the controlled release of fluid. In an example such as a fuel cell in an aircraft, the water generated from the fuel cell can be released from the aircraft system in a controlled manner. In the example, the water can move through a conduit that is arranged to convey the water from the fuel cell to an outlet of the aircraft. The outlet can be arranged on the outer casing of the aircraft, etc. A sensor is arranged to sense the atmospheric conditions near the outlet, such as the atmospheric conditions through which the aircraft is passing. A drainage device is arranged to release the water from the outlet. In the example, the drainage device can be a switch or a release valve, etc. The drainage device can be a closable and openable nozzle to release water, etc. The system also has a water regulator that is arranged to modify the properties of the water in the water regulator in response to the determined atmospheric conditions from the sensor. The sensor can also or instead detect geographical information, such as the local geographical location or geomorphology. Knowing the geographical location can help calculate whether to release water and under what conditions. The sensor can also or instead detect, for example, the ground temperature (e.g., for the area below the aircraft), time and date, and the incident radiation at the geographical location. The incident radiation can be radiation from space (including incident solar radiation), which can be infrared radiation.

[0031] The presence or absence of geomorphology, such as mountains or seas or cities, etc., may change the reaction when water is released from the system (either through pressure, etc.), or may change the decision to release water from the system (e.g., rainfall in an uninhabited area has less impact on society compared to a densely populated area), which is also useful information for determining whether to release water from the system.

[0032] In use, the system senses and determines the atmospheric conditions near the outlet and then adjusts the water in the water regulator. This adjustment can take the form of affecting any of the following properties of the water in the water regulator: pressure; temperature; density; viscosity; atomization size; buoyancy; droplet / crystal geometry (i.e., the size and shape of the droplet or crystal); crystallization tendency; and gas phase content. Other properties can include, for example, the flow rate of the water before and during its outflow from the system, the dispersion angle, the prevalence and uniformity of certain crystal sizes or shapes, and the prevalence of water droplets. Each of these factors can be controlled in order to affect the range of wavelengths to be absorbed and scattered, and the scattering effect. One or more infrared wavelengths can be selected in order to form a cloud that preferably absorbs and scatters the wavelengths in that wavelength region. The parameters listed above are controlled such that it is possible to control the wavelength of the radiation that is preferably absorbed and scattered. Thus, radiation absorption can be controlled via the formation of the cloud generated.

[0033] In this way, the water can be conditioned before being released from the system. Additionally, the water can be conditioned in response to atmospheric conditions. In this way, the conditioning applied to the water can be selected to control the impact of the water when released into those atmospheric conditions. The conditioning can allow control over whether the released water forms clouds when introduced into the atmosphere or falls out of the atmosphere as rainfall. Controlling this is beneficial for a variety of reasons, such as controlling negative radiative forcing (for cloud formation) or the lack of positive radiative forcing (for rainfall).

[0034] Typically, when water is released from an aircraft system into the atmosphere, the water forms contrails, which have a negative impact on the environment. With the invention disclosed herein, if the atmospheric conditions are considered to have characteristics that would result in the formation of contrails by releasing water from the aircraft, the system can choose not to release water from the aircraft. In this way, the water can be released under more favorable atmospheric conditions. The water can be held in a ballast tank or the like until more favorable atmospheric conditions are detected. During, for example, taxiing or on approach or in situations where the release of water would have a negative impact, the water can be held in the ballast tank. This can be the result of radiative forcing, but there can be other reasons as well. The reason for not releasing water could be, for example, not to release water on or near the runway to prevent wetting the runway, which could pose safety issues, or there could be social issues in the local area around the airport (such as large amounts of water falling on residential buildings). The ballast tank can also reduce the required trim drag.

[0035] Furthermore, under other atmospheric conditions, the conditioned water from the water conditioner can be released into the atmospheric conditions and produce contrails with a negative radiative forcing effect, thereby providing a radiative cooling effect. The conditioning of the water can affect one or more properties of the water. This conditioning is performed as a result of determining the atmospheric conditions to allow the release of the water, which ultimately produces specific contrails that provide a radiative cooling effect. This provides a significant advantage over existing systems, especially in considering water as an opportunity to provide radiative cooling rather than just a substance with negative properties to be minimized, as all modern systems have attempted.

[0036] This disclosure represents a fundamental shift in the way of thinking about how to improve the environmental impact of emissions from propulsion systems. The system can be well applied to any system that produces water vapor, not just water from fuel cells. In fact, the system can be applied to any fluid that can be captured and has properties that are affected by the conditioning from a conditioner, as long as the fluid is a fluid that can absorb and / or scatter radiation (such as infrared radiation) as a fluid.

[0037] Sensors for sensing the atmospheric conditions near an exit can be arranged to sense pressure, temperature, wind speed, relative airspeed of the fluid release system and the atmosphere, humidity; the gas phase content of the atmospheric conditions near the exit; and any of the local weather systems. Other factors that can be sensed include altitude and time (in order to obtain an indication of whether it is night or day at that location). In an example where the system is for an aircraft, these atmospheric conditions are related to the atmospheric conditions in which the aircraft is traveling. The sensors can be arranged on the outer surface of the aircraft, or can be partially arranged on the outer surface of the aircraft. Suitable sensors can include passive and / or active sensors, such as optical, visual and / or IR spectroscopy, LIDAR, RADAR, for example, of the x-band and PIV (particle image velocimetry).

[0038] In an example, the sensors may not be arranged on the surface of the aircraft. In an example, the sensors can be wirelessly connected to the system to provide a determination of the atmospheric conditions near the exit. The sensors can be ground-based sensors that send communications to a receiver within the system. The sensors can alternatively or additionally be satellites, etc. The sensors can be based on other aircraft in the local area, which can be on the flight path in front of the aircraft, in order to provide information about the upcoming atmospheric conditions.

[0039] The system can have a controller for receiving information from the sensors. The controller can be arranged to receive wireless communications from the sensors. The controller can determine the atmospheric conditions from the signals from the sensors. Then, the controller can send a signal to a water regulator to control the regulation applied to the water before the water is released.

[0040] The question of whether to release water depends on the net movement of thermal energy under the atmospheric conditions. In a specific embodiment, the general direction of the net movement of thermal energy is the relevant factor to consider. If thermal energy moves extensively from space to the Earth, water can be released and a contrail can be formed to provide additional albedo to counteract this thermal energy, thus providing negative radiative forcing. If thermal energy moves extensively from the Earth to space, water may not be released to prevent the formation of a contrail. Alternatively, water can be released, but released in a controlled manner to prevent the formation of a contrail due to the properties of the water that have been modified before release.

[0041] The system disclosed herein can release water in solid, crystalline or partially crystalline form. This may allow the formation of clouds, or allow water droplets to fall without forming clouds, if it is preferred at the time and location of water release.

[0042] The disclosed system can release water in liquid or gaseous form. The conduit through which water travels to reach the outlet can have one or more heaters arranged around it to provide heat to the conduit. In an example, the heater can be a heat exchanger or the like. This heat will help prevent the water from cooling as it flows from the water regulator to the outlet. This can help avoid ice formation in the water conduit, which can cause severe damage to the conduit or result in an undesired blockage in the conduit. In a similar manner, the conduit can have a cooling element to prevent the water from getting hot as it flows from the water regulator to the outlet. Alternatively or additionally, when the bay is at from about -55°C to about -60°C, the water can be cooled by skin cooling or via the ambient air temperature.

[0043] Sensors and controllers are used to detect and predict the direction in which thermal energy travels from one or both of atmospheric conditions and geographic information. If the thermal energy travels from space towards the Earth, the formation of clouds may be beneficial in providing a reflection of the incident thermal energy. If the thermal energy travels from the Earth towards space, the formation of clouds may be harmful because the cloud layer may disrupt the discharge of thermal energy from the Earth. The system disclosed herein can also perform calculations on whether to release water and how to best condition the water before release, using a machine learning model, a neural network, historical data (such as historical data related to the region or atmospheric conditions), or a combination thereof.

[0044] The system disclosed herein can be a closed-loop system. As the system moves and / or the system releases water into the atmosphere, the atmospheric conditions will change. As these conditions change, the sensors sense the change in conditions. Consequently, the determined atmospheric conditions will be different, which may cause the water regulator to provide a different conditioning effect on the water. If the characteristics of the water are modified in different ways, the water may continue to be released, or the water may not be released. This result may change due to the change in atmospheric conditions.

[0045] In this way, the system disclosed herein is a responsive system that can release water from the system under favorable circumstances and prevent water from being released from the system under unfavorable circumstances. Similarly, the conditions of the water being released can be changed so as to release the water in a manner that is favorable to the atmospheric conditions detected at that time. In this way, an adaptive system is provided that is capable of releasing water in order to achieve a beneficial effect among all existing systems.

[0046] Figure 2 A schematic view of an aircraft is shown in which the location of the drain pipes is determined. The drain pipes can be used for potable water and wastewater or greywater. Generally, these drain pipes are arranged at the bottom of the aircraft. These drain pipes can be used to release water from the aircraft.

[0047] Figure 3A schematic view of an aircraft is shown, in which the position of the fuel dump port is determined. The fuel dump port can be positioned to generate a jet exhaust in the direction of travel, and the jet exhaust follows along and behind the aircraft. Auxiliary power unit exhaust is also shown trailing behind the aircraft fuselage.

[0048] Figure 4 A side schematic view of an aircraft is shown, in which the positions of possible outlets (discharge ports) are determined. The outlets (referred to as "discharge ports" in the figure) can be located at the ends of the aircraft. The water released may benefit from the specific aerodynamic effects experienced at these ends. In particular, the outlets may be located at the wingtips or on the tail fin. The outlets can also be located at the circumferential ends of the cabin or on the central strut of the cabin.

[0049] Figure 5 A rear schematic view of an aircraft with possible outlet (discharge port) positions is shown. As shown, the outlets can be positioned circumferentially around the cabin or on the central strut. The outlets may be located at the ends of the tail fin. The position of the outlets on the cabin means that the ducts can benefit from being near the high heat energy locations passing through the aircraft. In this way, icing in the water ducts can be prevented. Although only one outlet position on the central strut of one cabin is shown, the outlets can be located on the central struts of two cabins as required.

[0050] Figure 6 A side schematic view of an aircraft is shown, in which the positions of possible outlets and possible sensor positions are shown. The sensors are shown as "radiation sensors" in the figure. The radiation sensors can benefit from being located around the aircraft fuselage in order to most accurately detect the overall atmospheric conditions and geographical information around the aircraft. Therefore, the sensors can be located on the top and bottom sides of the fuselage, as well as at the ends of the tail fin and wings. The sensors can also be located near the outlets in order to most accurately detect the conditions into which the released water will be fed. This will provide the most accurate response of the water once it is released into the atmosphere (since it has been well characterized), and thus provide the closest to expected response of the water in the atmosphere.

[0051] Figure 7 A flight profile schematic view of an aircraft with the systems and possible release options disclosed herein is shown. The system will detect precipitation and other weather conditions as well as geographical information such as the positions of mountains and / or oceans. This information is used to calculate whether to release water and in what form. A flight profile below 2000 feet may not cause water release. Above 5000 feet may be a controlled contrail formation zone, where, under suitable conditions, water is released in order to form the cloud formation, thus providing beneficial negative radiative forcing.

[0052] Figure 8A block diagram of a fluid release system is shown. The fluid release system has a sensing element, a controller, a condensation unit, and a source, a reservoir, and an outlet. The source can be a water source or a fluid source. The reservoir can be a tank for storing water or fluid under undesired release conditions. The condensation unit can condition the water or fluid to a desired condition before release (or storage). Once the sensing element (sensor) and the controller have detected that it may be beneficial to release water or fluid in the form of rainfall or cloud formation, the fluid or water can be released via the outlet.

[0053] Accordingly, a fluid release system for a fuel cell is provided herein, the system comprising: a conduit to convey water from the fuel cell to one or more outlets; and a drainage device arranged to selectively release water from the one or more outlets, wherein the drainage device is arranged to controllably open the one or more outlets to selectively release water from the one or more outlets.

[0054] The outlets of the system can be arranged on the outer surface of an aircraft. In an example, there can be more than one outlet arranged on the outer surface of the aircraft. There can be multiple outlets in fluid communication with a water regulator. Each outlet can have a separate conduit leading from the outlet to the water regulator. Alternatively, some of the outlets can share a portion of the conduit, for example, before the conduit branches to supply water to different locations where different outlets are arranged.

[0055] For example, the outlets can be arranged on the fuselage of the aircraft. The outlets can be arranged across the wingspan of the aircraft. The outlets can be selectively operated to allow water to be released through the outlets. In this way, if it is only desired to release water over a small area, only one outlet or a subset of the outlets in a group can be activated. This may be the case when clouds are not desired or a small amount of clouds is desired under the conditions.

[0056] Alternatively, a whole set of outlets can be operated to release water over a large area. This can be advantageous when it is desired to produce a wide cloud formation to efficiently reflect thermal energy moving from space towards the Earth. In this way, clouds can be effectively produced to generate a high level of radiative cooling. In an example, the outlets arranged along the entire wingspan of the aircraft will provide a very wide cloud formation area. Additionally, due to the vortices generated near the wingtips, the formation of clouds from the water released from the outlets located on the wings is further promoted. Therefore, this is a particularly effective location from which cloud formation can be consciously and controllably produced from the conditioned water.

[0057] The components of the system can be arranged in various positions of the aircraft. For example, it is advantageous to prevent water from freezing in the ducts. Thus, the position of the ducts in the guide vanes of the aircraft can utilize the heat from the exhaust to prevent freezing. Depending on the desired area where water can be released, the outlets can be arranged on the large or small spans of the aircraft. Sensors can be arranged on the surface of the aircraft to detect the conditions around the aircraft. The sensors can also be ground-based or non-ground-based (sensors on satellites or other aircraft in the local area). The sensors can be part of a fluid release control system separate from the fluid release system. The sensors can send messages to the aircraft via radio signals or the like.

[0058] The fluid release system can have a transmitter for transmitting signals from the sensors, based on the detected atmospheric conditions and geographical information, to the aircraft. The signals can be received by a receiver on the aircraft. Once received, the signals can command the aircraft to release or not release water from the aircraft. The signals can also command in which form the water is to be released. Alternatively, the signals can only send information related to the atmospheric conditions and geographical information, and the aircraft can have a controller that decides whether to take any action and what form of action to take.

[0059] The fluid release control system can be a ground station or a non-ground station, which can communicate efficiently across multiple aircraft based on the atmospheric conditions and geographical information at the respective aircraft positions. In fact, in the case where one fluid release control system communicates with multiple aircraft, an efficient system can be created, where each aircraft does not need its own detection equipment. The fluid release control system has detection equipment. Then the aircraft can only have outlets that can be opened in response, and optionally a water regulator, in order to respond to commands from the fluid release control system: regarding whether to release water and optionally in which form to release water: in a form that causes cloud formation or in a form that causes rainfall.

[0060] The fluid release system can be arranged within the aircraft, such as being arranged on or within the wing tips, the ends of the tail fins (e.g., the horizontal and vertical tail fin planes), the central body, and the thrusters and / or the cabin. This arrangement can utilize any natural aerodynamic effects, such as allowing for a change in the volumetric extent of the conditioned water being released. This changed volumetric extent can consider how many water droplets are present within a set unit volume.

[0061] In a series of examples, the following methods can be employed, although these methods may vary based on detected atmospheric conditions and geographical information: At low altitudes, approximately 2000 feet and below, water can be stored in a water tank and not released; below 5000 feet, when above a building area, water can be stored in the water tank and not released, and if above a non-building area, it is released. At night, the formation of high-level clouds can be prevented, but water may be released in the form of rain or low-level clouds. During the day, if there are favorable conditions for less or negative forcing caused by clouds, for example, if the incident infrared radiation from space is higher than the infrared radiation emitted by the Earth, clouds can form. Clouds can also form if there are cirrus clouds and the conditions are such that there is no further net effect on radiative forcing due to the release of the water that continues to form clouds. If the condition is that the radiation emitted by the Earth is greater than the incident radiation from space, the formation of the said clouds can be avoided during the day, which may be the case in a hot desert, etc. or in the case of a hot low-level cloud that may release heat. In such a case, water can be released in the form of rain or kept in the water tank.

[0062] Therefore, in a first set of atmospheric conditions and / or geographical information, water is released, and in a second set of atmospheric conditions and / or geographical information, water is not released. Additionally, when water is released, it can be released to form rain, or it can be released to form clouds. Each of these decisions can be made based on calculations related to radiative forcing that depends on atmospheric conditions and / or geographical information.

[0063] In the example, water can be released from the system to form clouds at an altitude lower than the altitude at which the water is released. Depending on the atmospheric conditions and geographical information, cloud formation may occur at a lower or higher altitude, which can be controlled by conditioning the water before release. In the example, the water can be conditioned to fall from the sky as rainfall and then form clouds at a desired lower altitude.

[0064] The arrangement of the fluid release system within the aircraft can allow for the utilization of other effects, such as the hot and cold thermal zones of the aircraft. For example, ducts can carry water from a fuel cell through different sections of the aircraft. In the example, the ducts can extend through the exit guide vanes and utilize the thermal energy of the exhaust to remove heat from the exhaust and maintain the water temperature, which will prevent the ducts from freezing and blocking. It is beneficial to avoid water, supercooled water, or ice from hitting the frame, and thus this should be avoided in various arrangements.

[0065] In addition, using a fuel cell to provide electrical power only emits H 2 O, which is contrary to the harmful gas emissions produced by a standard internal combustion engine. This H 2 O can be captured and used as potable or non-potable H 2 O within the aircraft.

[0066] The arrangements disclosed herein can be used with any power generation element that provides a fluid that can be conditioned and released to form a cloud. This includes gas turbines, combustion engines, and fuel cells; internal combustion engines, Wankel engines, or engines that utilize the Wankel, Otto cycle, or similar principles, hybrid cycle engines, or solid oxide fuel cell types can also be used with the disclosed arrangements.

Claims

1. A fluid release system for a fuel cell, the system comprising: a conduit for conveying water from the fuel cell to one or more outlets; and a drainage device arranged to selectively release water from the one or more outlets, wherein the drainage device is arranged to controllably open the one or more outlets to selectively release water from the one or more outlets, the system further comprising: a controller for detecting at least one of atmospheric conditions and geographical information, wherein the controller is arranged to provide a signal based on the atmospheric conditions or the geographical information to the drainage device, and wherein the atmospheric conditions are the atmospheric conditions near the one or more outlets, and wherein the geographical information is the local geographical information of the system, the system further comprising: a water regulator arranged to cause a modification of a characteristic of the water in use in response to detecting at least one of the atmospheric conditions and geographical information, wherein the characteristic of the water is selected from one of the following: pressure; temperature; density; viscosity; atomization size; buoyancy; droplet / crystal geometry; crystallization tendency; and gas phase content.

2. The fluid release system according to claim 1, further comprising: a sensor for sensing at least one of the atmospheric conditions near the one or more outlets and local geographical information, the sensor being arranged to send a signal based on at least one of the atmospheric conditions and geographical information to the controller.

3. The fluid release system according to claim 1, wherein, the controller is arranged to receive a signal based on at least one of the atmospheric conditions and geographical information from a detection system external to the fluid release system.

4. The fluid release system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, the signal based on the atmospheric conditions is related to at least one of the following: pressure; temperature; wind speed; the relative air speed of the fluid release system with respect to the atmosphere; humidity; gas phase content; and local weather systems.

5. The fluid release system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, the signal based on the geographical information is related to at least one of the following: local geographical location; local geomorphology; ground temperature; time and date; and incident radiation.

6. The fluid release system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, the system is arranged to selectively release water from the outlet according to the at least one of the detected atmospheric conditions and geographical information; wherein, under a first set of atmospheric conditions or geographical information, water is released, and wherein, under a second set of atmospheric conditions or geographical information, water is not released.

7. The fluid release system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, the drainage device is arranged to control the dispersion angle of the one or more outlets.

8. The fluid release system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, the fluid release system is arranged inside an aircraft.

9. The fluid release system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising at least one heater arranged to provide thermal energy to at least a portion of the conduit in use.

10. A fluid release control system for controlling the release of fluid from an aircraft, the system comprising: a controller for detecting at least one of atmospheric conditions and geographical information; a transmitter for transmitting a signal based on at least one of the detected atmospheric conditions and geographical information, the transmitter transmitting the signal to a receiver on the aircraft in use, wherein, in response to receiving a signal based on at least one of the detected atmospheric conditions and geographical information, water is released from the aircraft, wherein the controller is arranged to provide a signal based on the atmospheric conditions or the geographical information to a drain device of the aircraft, the drain device being arranged to selectively release water from one or more outlets, and wherein the atmospheric conditions are the atmospheric conditions near the one or more outlets, and wherein the geographical information is the local geographical information of the aircraft, the aircraft comprising: a water regulator arranged to cause a modification of the properties of the water in response to at least one of the detected atmospheric conditions and geographical information in use, wherein the properties of the water are selected from one of the following: pressure; temperature; density; viscosity; atomization size; buoyancy; droplet / crystal geometry; crystallization tendency; and gas phase content.

11. The fluid release control system according to claim 10, wherein, the fluid release control system is arranged within ground control equipment.

12. The fluid release control system according to claim 10, wherein, the fluid release control system is arranged within non-ground-based equipment.

13. The fluid release control system according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein, the transmitter is arranged to transmit a signal to the water regulator of the aircraft to cause a modification of the properties of the water.

14. The fluid release control system according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein, the transmitter is arranged to transmit a signal to the drain device to control the dispersion angle of one or more outlets, through which water is released from the aircraft.

15. A method of releasing fluid for a hydrogen fuel cell, the method comprising: providing a conduit for transporting water from a fuel cell to one or more outlets; providing a drain device arranged to selectively release water from the one or more outlets; and controllably opening the one or more outlets to selectively release water from the one or more outlets, the method further comprising: providing a controller for detecting at least one of atmospheric conditions and geographical information; detecting, by the controller, at least one of atmospheric conditions and geographical information; providing a signal regarding the atmospheric conditions or the geographical information to the drain device; wherein, in response to the signal regarding the atmospheric conditions or the geographical information, the one or more outlets are controllably opened, wherein the atmospheric conditions are the atmospheric conditions near the one or more outlets, and wherein the geographical information is the local geographical information of the fluid release system for the hydrogen fuel cell, the system further comprises: a water conditioner arranged to cause a modification of the properties of the water in use in response to at least one of the detected atmospheric conditions and geographical information, wherein the properties of the water are selected from one of the following: pressure; temperature; density; viscosity; atomization size; buoyancy; droplet / crystal geometry; crystallization tendency; and gas phase content.

16. A fluid release system for a power generation element, the system comprises: a conduit for conveying water from the power generation element to one or more outlets; and a drainage device arranged to selectively release water from the one or more outlets, wherein the drainage device is arranged to controllably open the one or more outlets to selectively release water from the one or more outlets, the system further comprises: a controller for detecting at least one of atmospheric conditions and geographical information, wherein the controller is arranged to provide a signal based on the atmospheric conditions or the geographical information to the drainage device, and wherein the atmospheric conditions are the atmospheric conditions near the one or more outlets, and wherein the geographical information is the local geographical information of the system, the system further comprises: a water conditioner arranged to cause a modification of the properties of the water in use in response to at least one of the detected atmospheric conditions and geographical information, wherein the properties of the water are selected from one of the following: pressure; temperature; density; viscosity; atomization size; buoyancy; droplet / crystal geometry; crystallization tendency; and gas phase content.

17. The fluid release system according to claim 16, wherein, the power generation element is any one of the following: a gas turbine; a combustion engine; and a fuel cell.

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