Aircraft Fuel Cell Layout Using Propulsor Compressed Air
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft engines powered by aviation turbine fuel face challenges in reducing emissions and efficiently utilizing hydrogen fuel due to its low power density, low boiling point, and tendency to seep through materials in gaseous form, requiring innovative solutions for storage and utilization.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell power system for aircraft that includes a fuel delivery system for hydrogen fuel and a fuel cell stack, where the hydrogen fuel is stored in a liquid state and converted to a gaseous phase using heat from compressed air generated by the propulsor, eliminating the need for a dedicated airflow compressor and utilizing hydrogen fuel for both propulsion and cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If hydrogen fuel is stored in gaseous form, then it provides cooling capabilities and is easy to transport, but it has low power density and tends to seep through materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of hydrogen fuel from gaseous to liquid form. This parameter change increases the power density (quantity of substance per volume) while maintaining transportability, as liquid hydrogen occupies less space and can be stored more efficiently in fuel tanks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition of hydrogen fuel between liquid and gaseous states. The fuel is stored in liquid form for efficient storage and transport, then vaporized to gaseous form for combustion in the engine, leveraging the properties of both phases to resolve the contradiction.
2Reliability
If a dedicated airflow compressor is used for the fuel cell stack, then compressed air is reliably supplied, but system weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the propulsor serve multiple functions: it generates thrust for vehicle propulsion and simultaneously compresses air for the fuel cell stack. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a dedicated airflow compressor, reducing system weight and complexity while maintaining reliable compressed air supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the air compression function from the propulsor with the fuel cell air supply requirement. By integrating these functions, the system eliminates redundant components and reduces overall complexity while ensuring reliable operation of both propulsion and power generation systems.
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
This configuration reduces weight and complexity, allows for more efficient storage and use of hydrogen fuel, and integrates hydrogen fuel as both a propellant and coolant, potentially lowering emissions and operational noise.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel cell stack configured to be located remotely from the propulsor and in airflow communication with the propulsor for receiving the flow of compressed air from the propulsor, the fuel cell stack further in fluid communication with the fuel delivery system for receiving the flow of hydrogen fuel
Implementation Method 2
where the hydrogen fuel is stored in a liquid state and converted to a gaseous phase using heat from compressed air generated by the propulsor
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell power system for a vehicle having a propulsor is provided herein. The propulsor is configured to generate thrust for the vehicle and a flow of compressed air. The fuel cell power system includes a fuel delivery system for providing a flow of hydrogen fuel and a fuel cell stack and is configured to be located remotely from the propulsor and in airflow communication with the propulsor for receiving the flow of compressed air from the propulsor. The fuel delivery system further includes a fuel tank for storing hydrogen fuel and the fuel cell stack is further in fluid communication with the fuel delivery system for receiving the flow of hydrogen fuel from the fuel delivery system.