Heat Driven Thermal Management System for Aircraft

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thermal management systems in aircraft rely on electrically powered pumps, which lead to electrical energy losses, increased weight, and space consumption, as well as inefficiencies in heat transfer and cooling.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a heat driven thermal management system that utilizes a turbomachine instead of an electrically powered pump, where a turbine and compressor are interlocked via a shaft to pressurize and accelerate the working fluid, eliminating the need for a motor-driven pump.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If an electrically powered pump is used to pressurize and accelerate working fluid, then the system can maintain fluid flow, but electrical energy losses increase and weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical energy lossesVSAvoidfluid flow maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electrically powered pump with a turbomachine-driven pump system. The turbomachine converts thermal energy from the working fluid into mechanical work, which then drives the pump. This substitution eliminates electrical energy losses while maintaining reliable fluid flow through mechanical coupling of the turbomachine and pump via a shaft connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the thermal energy of the working fluid itself to drive the pump through the turbomachine. The thermal energy that would otherwise be wasted is converted into mechanical work to pressurize the fluid, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for external electrical power sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Weight of moving object

If an electrically powered pump is used, then fluid pressurization can be achieved, but weight and space consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveweightVSAvoidfluid pressurization capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the electric motor and associated electrical components, replacing them with a turbomachine that uses thermal energy conversion. This mechanical substitution reduces weight while maintaining the fluid pressurization capability through the turbomachine's mechanical work output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The turbomachine serves multiple functions: it converts thermal energy to mechanical work, drives the pump, and eliminates the need for separate electrical power systems. This multi-functionality reduces the overall system weight and space requirements while maintaining pressurization capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of energy

If a turbomachine is used instead of an electrically powered pump, then mechanical energy losses are reduced, but the system complexity changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical energy lossesVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the thermal energy conversion function and the fluid pressurization function into a single integrated system. The turbomachine is directly coupled to the pump via a shaft, combining what would traditionally be separate systems (thermal converter + pump) into one unified mechanism, thereby reducing overall system complexity while minimizing energy losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution reduces electrical energy losses, minimizes weight and space requirements, enhances operational efficiency by reducing mechanical energy losses, and simplifies the system by eliminating the need for pumps and associated components.

Implementation Method 1

a turbomachine instead of an electrically powered pump, where a turbine and compressor are interlocked via a shaft to pressurize and accelerate the working fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy conversion: Heat Engine

Implementation Method 2

heat source exchangers arranged along the thermal transport bus to add heat to the working fluid... heat sink exchangers arranged along the thermal transport bus to remove heat from the working fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentUS12209533B2Heat driven thermal management systems and methods for operating the same

Publication Date: 2025.01.28 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

Apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed to power thermal management systems with heat of a working fluid therein. Example thermal management system include: a thermal transport bus loop fluidly coupled to at least one heat source exchanger and at least one heat sink exchanger; a turbomachine including a turbine and a compressor, the turbine and compressor rotatably interlocked via a shaft, the compressor coupled to the thermal transport bus loop, the turbine including an inlet and an outlet, the inlet connected to a first point of the thermal transport bus loop via a first flowline, the outlet connected to a second point of the thermal transport bus loop via a second flowline; and a control valve coupled to the first flowline, the control valve to adjust a mass flowrate of the heat exchange fluid in the first flowline based on a speed of the shaft.