The Boeing Company

James M Huber

Gerald F Herndon

Michael B McGrady

Jerry T Shearer

Stephen F Sielaff

David Lee Daggett

Michael G Friend

Joel D Lindstrom

An auxiliary power unit (APU) for an aircraft utilizing solid oxide fuel cells for providing electrical power. The solid oxide electrolytes of the fuel cells allow for reformed fuel to provide a catalyst for oxygen migration. The auxiliary power unit, utilizing solid oxide fuel cells, can also power systems of the aircraft to produce water for use on the aircraft. Waste exhaust energy may be captured from the APU by a power recovery turbine which drives a compressor to provide aircraft cabin air under increased pressure to the fuel cell, thereby increasing system efficiency. The APU may provide all of the electricity to the aircraft allowing for more efficient aircraft engine design and a decrease in aircraft engine size. Furthermore, the fuel cell APU can reduce airport ramp noise and exhaust emissions.

Solid oxide fuel cell as auxiliary power source installation in transport aircraft

A system for assisting a fighter pilot in checking the six-o'clock position. By differentially inflating bladders placed under the seat cushion of the ejection seat of a fighter, the seat cushion can be rotated to the pilot's left or right to aid the pilot in checking the space directly behind the fighter. A system controller, responsive to actions by the pilot, causes the differential inflation of the bladders and controls the rotation of left and right harness straps. The system controller can actuate solenoid valves to control the bladder inflation or can mechanically rotate a fluid valve to control the bladder inflation. The bladders can be fabricated from a resilient material so that they automatically deflate when they are vented to the ambient atmosphere and their size can be limited by placing the bladders inside a resilient casing that has a non-resilient web connecting the opposed surface of the casing.

System for assisting a fighter pilot in checking the six-o'clock position

A G-protective ejection seat assembly for an occupant of the cockpit of an aircraft. The assembly includes a cradle having a rigid, non-articulated upper portion and a rigid lower portion pivotally attached to the upper portion. The upper portion is pivotally attached to the aircraft for selected angular movement within the cockpit between an upright position and a reclined position. The cradle upper portion includes arm rests movable therewith for supporting hand flight controls. Foot flight controls are mounted to the cradle lower portion which is formed by a pair of leg rests. The assembly includes a separable, non-articulated ejection seat removably carried by and stationary with respect to the cradle upper portion during non-ejection use. The seal is moved with the cradle upper portion as the cradle upper portion pivots between the upright and reclined positions. The seat is movable upon ejection independent of the cradle with the cradle and the hand and foot controls remaining in place within the aircraft during ejection. A power actuator is provided for selectively, angularly moving the cradle upper portion between the upright and reclined positions. A controller is provided to control operation of the actuator in response to sensed G-force at the pilot's station and anticipatory aircraft G-force related performance based upon aircraft stick position, angle of attack and other parameters.

Automatic multi-position G-protective ejection seat assembly

Growing community of inventors

Seattle, WA, United States of America

James M Huber