Heat-Driven Thermal Transport Loop Without Motorized Pump Losses

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thermal management systems in aircraft gas turbine engines face inefficiencies due to electrical losses and weight/space consumption from motorized pumps, which also divert working fluid from other systems and generate waste heat.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a turbomachine to pressurize and accelerate the working fluid, eliminating the need for a motor-driven pump, thereby conserving electrical energy and reducing system weight and space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a motorized pump is used to pressurize working fluid, then the working fluid can be delivered to heat exchangers, but electrical energy is consumed and weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworking fluid delivery capabilityVSAvoidelectrical energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the motorized pump system 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 the need for electrical motors and reduces electrical energy consumption while maintaining the working fluid delivery function.

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 heat in the working fluid is converted to mechanical work that powers the pump, making the system self-powered and eliminating the need for external electrical energy input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Power

If a motorized pump is used to pressurize working fluid, then the working fluid can be delivered to heat exchangers, but system weight and space increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworking fluid delivery capabilityVSAvoidpump system weight

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the motorized pump system 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 the need for electrical motors and reduces electrical energy consumption while maintaining the working fluid delivery function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The turbomachine serves multiple functions: it acts as a power generation device, a drive mechanism for the pump, and a heat transfer component. This multi-functionality reduces the overall system weight and space requirements compared to having separate motorized pump components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Power

If a motorized pump is used, then working fluid can be pressurized, but electrical losses occur and waste heat is generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepump operationVSAvoidelectrical losses

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the motorized pump system 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 the need for electrical motors and reduces electrical energy consumption while maintaining the working fluid delivery function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the thermal energy that would otherwise be waste heat into useful mechanical work through the turbomachine. This converts a harmful energy loss into a beneficial power source that drives the pump, eliminating electrical losses and reducing overall energy waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 turbomachine-based system operates more efficiently with reduced complexity and weight, eliminating electrical losses and enabling self-powered operation while supplying energy to onboard systems.

Implementation Method 1

a turbomachine to pressurize and accelerate the working fluid, eliminating the need for a motor-driven pump

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy conversion: Heat Engine

Implementation Method 2

heat exchangers to transfer heat from the working fluid to other fluids in the thermal management system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP4379200B1Heat driven thermal management systems and methods for operating the same

Publication Date: 2025.12.24 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

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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.