Systems and methods for cooling and power generation in high-speed aircraft.

A supercritical fluid loop system cools and powers high-speed vehicles by maintaining the working fluid in a supercritical state, addressing extreme heating and enabling lightweight, efficient power generation.

JP7876959B2Inactive Publication Date: 2026-06-22THE BOEING CO
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
THE BOEING CO
Filing Date
2020-06-29
Publication Date
2026-06-22
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

To provide a method and an apparatus for cooling a surface on a flight vehicle and / or generating power.SOLUTION: Supercritical working fluid is circulated through a fluid loop that includes the steps of: compressing the supercritical working fluid by a compressor, heating the supercritical working fluid by a heat absorbing portion that is thermally coupled to a surface; expanding the supercritical working fluid in a thermal engine to generate work output; cooling the supercritical working fluid; and recirculating the supercritical working fluid to the compressor. The work output of the thermal engine is operably coupled to the compressor, and may optionally be coupled to a generator in order to generate power. The supercritical working fluid absorbs heat from the surface, eliminates hot spots and permits use of lighter and / or less expensive material.SELECTED DRAWING: None
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