Wing-Integrated Fuel Cell Cooling With Minimal Aircraft Drag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft engines emit significant CO2 and non-CO2 greenhouse gases, contribute to noise pollution, and face inefficiencies due to drag from ram air cooling systems for hydrogen fuel cells, which also concentrate stress on wing structures.
Innovation Solution
Integrate hydrogen fuel cell stacks within the aircraft wing structure, utilizing airflow paths with strategically positioned inlets and outlets to minimize drag and distribute weight evenly, incorporating ducting, fans, and membrane controls for efficient cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If fuel cell stacks are mounted on wing nacelles in direct path of ambient airflow, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but excessive stress on wing structure and parasite drag increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fuel cell stack with the wing structure by integrating it into the wing's interior space, combining two separate components (fuel cell stack and wing) into a unified structure that eliminates the need for separate nacelle mounting while providing both structural support and cooling airflow paths
2Temperature
If fuel cell stacks are mounted on wing nacelles in direct path of ambient airflow, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but parasite drag increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel cell stack is merged with the wing structure and cooling airflow paths are integrated into the wing's internal geometry, eliminating separate nacelle-mounted cooling systems that would increase parasite drag
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling airflow path is redirected from an external nacelle-mounted configuration to an internal wing-integrated configuration, moving the cooling system from three-dimensional external space to two-dimensional internal wing structure, reducing frontal area and drag
3Stress or pressure
If fuel cell stacks are positioned within wing interior space, then weight distribution is improved, but airflow access for cooling becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow cooling paths are merged with the wing's structural geometry, using the wing's existing shape and internal space to create integrated cooling channels that provide both structural integrity and thermal management functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The wing structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides aerodynamic lift, structural support for the fuel cell stack, and integrated cooling airflow paths, eliminating the need for separate dedicated cooling system components
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 integration provides effective cooling for fuel cell stacks while reducing drag, stress on the wing, and enhancing energy efficiency by leveraging airflow dynamics and structural balance.
Implementation Method 1
An airflow path is in contact with at least a heat exchanger of the fuel cell stack, wherein induced flow of air through the airflow path cools the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
A hydrogen fuel cell is an electrochemical cell that converts chemical energy into electrical energy by spontaneous electrochemical reduction-oxidation (redox) reactions
Implementation Method 3
Fuel cells include an anode and a cathode separated by a proton exchange membrane (PEM) that permits only protons to pass between the anode and cathode
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel-cell-powered aircraft system has integrated air-cooled fuel cell stacks positioned within an interior space of at least one wing of an aircraft. An airflow path is positioned in contact with at least a heat exchanger of the fuel cell stack. The induced flow of air through the airflow path cools the heat exchanger. The efficiently-induced flow of air for cooling the fuel cell stack has a zero or minimal drag penalty.