Air Cycle Machine Electric Boost to Reduce High-Pressure Compressor Bleed Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircrafts face increased cooling demands due to evolving heat loads on mission critical electronic components, leading to increased high pressure compressor bleed flow which reduces gas turbine engine thrust-specific fuel consumption and imposes an air vehicle platform penalty.
Innovation Solution
An integrated motor/generator system is employed to provide transient boost to cooling electronics by producing mechanical rotary shaft energy or generating electrical power, reducing the need for high pressure compressor bleed flow and maintaining engine thrust.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If high pressure compressor bleed flow is increased to meet cooling demands, then cooling capacity is improved, but thrust-specific fuel consumption deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the APU turbine with the integrated motor/generator system to create a unified power and thermal management system. The APU turbine drives the motor/generator which in turn drives the ACM compressor, merging power generation and cooling functions into a single integrated system that shares the high pressure compressor bleed air resource.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical coupling of the APU turbine to the ACM compressor with an electrical intermediary system. The APU turbine generates electrical power that is then converted back to mechanical power by the motor/generator to drive the ACM compressor, allowing for flexible control and energy recovery that reduces overall system energy consumption.
2Temperature
If high pressure compressor bleed flow is increased to meet cooling demands, then cooling capacity is improved, but engine thrust deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the high pressure compressor by using bleed air for the APU turbine rather than directly for the ACM compressor. This parameter change allows the system to achieve the same cooling capacity while maintaining better engine thrust characteristics, as the APU turbine can extract energy at optimal points in the compression process.
3Temperature
If integrated motor/generator provides transient boost to cooling, then cooling capacity is improved, but electrical power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by using the motor/generator to provide transient boost to the ACM compressor during high cooling demand events rather than continuous operation. The motor/generator activates only when additional cooling capacity is needed, providing short-duration assistance that reduces peak cooling demands without requiring continuous electrical power input.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The integrated motor/generator system enhances cooling capacity during high demand events without causing propulsion debt, improving thrust-specific fuel consumption and optimizing energy distribution within the gas turbine engine.
Implementation Method 1
an ACM compressor... an ACM working fluid fluidly coupled with the ACM compressor
Implementation Method 2
an ACM first heat exchanger fluidly coupled between the ACM compressor and the ACM turbine
Implementation Method 3
an ACM turbine... an APU turbine in operative communication with the main shaft
Implementation Method 4
an ACM second heat exchanger fluidly coupled between the ACM turbine and the ACM compressor
Implementation Method 5
the integrated motor/generator is configured to at least one of produce mechanical rotary shaft energy into the main shaft
Implementation Method 6
generate electrical power responsive to another predetermined gas turbine engine condition
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated motor/generator system including a main shaft supporting an ACM compressor and an ACM turbine; an ACM first heat exchanger fluidly coupled between the ACM compressor and the ACM turbine; an ACM second heat exchanger fluidly coupled between the ACM turbine and the ACM compressor; an ACM working fluid fluidly coupled with the ACM compressor, the ACM first heat exchanger, the ACM turbine and the ACM second heat exchanger; an APU turbine in operative communication with the main shaft; an electrical power source in operative communication with the integrated motor/generator; and the integrated motor/generator in operative communication with the main shaft, wherein the integrated motor/generator is configured to at least one of produce mechanical rotary shaft energy into the main shaft, responsive to a predetermined gas turbine engine condition and generate electrical power responsive to another predetermined gas turbine engine condition.