Refrigerant circuit for an aircraft propulsion system and its method of use

The refrigerant circuit with an integrated drain line and non-return valves addresses refrigerant viscosity and solidification issues in aircraft turbomachines by passive draining, ensuring continuous cooling and reducing heat exchanger size and complexity.

FR3166928A1Pending Publication Date: 2026-04-03SAFRAN NACELLES
4 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
FR2024010391
Authority / Receiving Office
FR · FR
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-09-27
Publication Date
2026-04-03

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing refrigerant circuits in aircraft turbomachines face issues with refrigerant viscosity and solidification during in-flight shutdown or prolonged ground parking in very cold weather, leading to disrupted cooling and increased heat exchanger size and complexity due to internal heating devices.

Method used

A refrigerant circuit with an integrated drain line and non-return valves that passively drains refrigerant from heat exchanger channels using pressurized air, eliminating the need for resistive cables or internal pipes, and includes a reservoir and alarm system for leak detection.

Benefits of technology

Prevents refrigerant viscosity and solidification, ensuring continuous circulation and reducing heat exchanger size and cost by passive draining without operator intervention, while maintaining aerodynamic efficiency.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

A refrigerant circuit (29) for an aircraft propulsion system comprising: - a heat exchanger (1) including a circulation channel (3) for a refrigerant (H); - a supply line (15) configured to supply the circulation channel (3) with refrigerant (H); - a drain line (10) including a reservoir (12) configured to store drain air at a drain pressure (Pvid) and an inlet valve (13) including, when the drain pressure (Pvid) is greater than an internal pressure (Pint) of the refrigerant (H) in the heat exchanger (1), an open position (ON) allowing the drain air stored in the reservoir (12) to flow upstream to downstream in the circulation channel (3) so as to drain the heat exchanger (1) of the refrigerant (H) during an in-flight shutdown of the aircraft propulsion system. Figure from the summary: Figure 2
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art