Sundstrand Corporation

Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation

Kent I Weber

Roy W Vershure, Jr

Paul E Westhoff, Jr

Keith E Short

Edward S Blain

Michael W Sledd

Stuart Alexander Greenwood

Robert L Bracken

Tim Sullivan

Environmental control and electric power are provided for a vehicle (,) carrying at least one gas turbine engine (,) including a turbine (40,46) and a compressor (,); a stored energy device (,); a first turbine (,) powered by the stored energy device (,); an expansion turbine (,) for an air cooling cycle; and an electric generator (,) rotatably driven by the first turbine (,) and the expansion turbine (,). The electric generator (,) has a minimum operating speed required to generate acceptable electric power for the vehicle (,). The environmental control and electric power for the vehicle (,) are provided by a method including the steps of normally rotating the expansion turbine (,) with bleed air from the compressor (,) of the at least one gas turbine engine (,) to generate temperature conditioned, pressurized air for the environmental control of the vehicle; driving the electric generator (,) above the minimum speed with the expansion turbine (,) to provide electric power for the vehicle (,); and, in the absence of sufficient power from the expansion turbine (,), maintaining the electric generator (,) above the minimum speed by powering the first turbine (,) with the stored energy device (,) to provide electric power for the vehicle (,).

Integrated emergency power and environmental control system

An improved single engine military aircraft is provided through the use of an improved secondary power system which incorporates an additional accessory drive, and utilizes improved multi-path system architecture together with optimal distribution of accessories to thereby enhance partial operational flexibility of the secondary power system in both normal and partial failure modes of operation. The additional accessory drive also provides an aircraft in which the engine can be removed with minimal disruption of the EMAD or AMAD and accessories mounted thereon to thereby enhance both initial manufacturability and repairability of the aircraft and secondary power system.

Multi-path secondary power system for an aircraft

A method and apparatus are provided for rejecting waste heat (12) from a system (10) including a combustion engine (14), an oxidizer supply (16), and a fuel supply (18). The method includes the steps of providing a fuel flow (32) from the fuel supply (18), providing an oxidizer flow (30) from the oxidizer supply (16), splitting one of the fuel flow and the oxidizer flow into cooling flow (34) and a combustion flow (36), rejecting system waste heat (12) to the cooling flow (34), combusting the combustion flow (36) with the other of the fuel flow (32) and the oxidizer flow (30) to supply combustion gas for the combustion engine (14), and directing the cooling flow (34) into the combustion gas to reduce the temperature of the combustion gas.

Method and apparatus for rejecting waste heat from a system including a

The use of a working fluid that is subject to freezing is achieved in a fluid system including a rotating fluid management device (RFMD) (10) and a pair of fluid flow loops (22, 27) connected to the RFMD (10) and arranged so that the inventory of working fluid in the system drains to the RFMD (10) when the system is not operating. The RFMD (10) includes a housing (32) having an inlet port (60, 64), a first outlet port (56), a second outlet port (62), a reservoir (34) mounted on the housing (32) for rotation about a vertical axis (38), a return (92, 93) for directing working fluid from the inlet port (60, 64) to the reservoir (34), a pitot tube (116) fixed to the housing (32) and extending to adjacent radially outer location (118) in the reservoir (34) for directing liquid phase working fluid from the reservoir to the first outlet (62), and a vent (121) located radially inward from the radially outer location (118) for directing gas phase working fluid from the reservoir (34) to the second outlet port (56). The reservoir (34) includes a storage volume (84) sufficient to store the entire inventory of working fluid in the system when the system is not operating. The storage volume (84) is defined by an upwardly opening, concave surface of revolution (86) centered on the vertical axis (38).

Freeze tolerant rotating fluid management device

An engine is provided having a fuel supply system which includes apparatus of straightforward construction that is powered solely by a flow of fuel through a delivery line to the engine for increasing the flow of fuel through the delivery line to the engine during start-up of the engine. A small control volume of pressurized fuel is stored during a preceding operational period of the engine for use in augmenting the fuel flow to the engine during a subsequent start-up of the engine. A converter apparatus is also disclosed for converting a portion of the fuel flow from the control volume and/or from a main fuel pump into an increased flow rate or pressure of fuel to the engine during the subsequent start-up. The control volume of fuel is stored in such a manner that volume compensation for changes in ambient temperature is provided, and in such a manner that the fuel line is positively shut off during periods of inoperation such that the fuel cannot leak out or evaporate and thus not be available for rapid start-up of the engine during a subsequent start.

Fuel pump assist for engine starting

A pump (P) including a stationary pump housing (1) and a rotating pump housing (10, 10a) mounted on the stationary pump housing (1) and defining a fluid receiving chamber (11). A pitot probe (5) freely rotatably mounted in the stationary pump housing (1) and terminating in a tip portion (5a) disposed in the fluid receiving chamber (11). A brake arrangement (20, 21) is provided for braking a rotational speed of the probe (5) so as to enable a controlling of the rotational speed of the probe (5) independent of the rotational speed of the rotating pump housing (10, 10a) thereby producing variable pump pressures and fluid flow rates for the pump (P).

Variable pressure pitot pump

A method of operating a pitot pump that pressurizes a first fluid of a first viscosity and first density wherein the pump includes a rotatable housing and a stationary probe disposed within the housing includes the steps of providing a source of a second fluid having a second viscosity and second density less than the first viscosity and first density, detecting a physical condition in the housing indicative of the presence of the first fluid at a second radial position inside the first radial position and connecting the source of the second fluid to an inner annular chamber of the housing when the detected physical condition indicates that the first fluid is present at the second radial position.

Low drag pitot pump and method of operating same

A variable pressure and variable flow rate pump in accordance with the invention includes a stationary pump housing (1), a rotating pump housing (10), rotatably mounted with respect to the stationary pump housing including a fluid receiving chamber (12) for receiving fluid to be pumped which is driven by a drive (11); a pitot probe (5) rotatably mounted in the stationary pump housing having a tip (5a) disposed in the fluid receiving chamber radially offset from an axis of rotation of the probe for receiving fluid from the fluid receiving chamber; a brake (15) for selectively braking a rotational speed of the probe to control the rotational speed of the probe independently of a rotational speed of the rotating pump housing to provide a fluid output from the output with a variable pressure and flow rate; a thermal insulator (44) mounted between the brake and the fluid receiving chamber for thermally insulating the fluid receiving chamber from heat generated by the brake; and a control (C) coupled to the brake for controlling activation of the brake to control a rate of rotation of the probe to control the pressure and flow rate of the fluid produced at the output.

Variable pressure pitot pump with reduced heating of pumped fluid

Prior centrifugal pitot pumps have suffered from reduced efficiency and inability to control flow parameters during operation. In order to overcome these problems, a pitot pump for pressurizing a fluid includes a rotatable housing having a housing inlet through which fluid may be passed wherein a rotating flow of fluid is induced in a volume of space within the housing, a probe disposed in the housing and having a movable probe inlet disposed in the volume of space and a probe outlet at which outlet fluid flow is established and means for moving the probe inlet within the range of positions within the rotating flow of fluid whereby a parameter of the outlet fluid flow can be controlled. The pitot pump has improved controllability and efficiency.

VAriable geometry pitot pump

The weight of a high pressure storage vessel 20 for an oxidant used to oxidize fuel in a combustor 12 which in turn provides gases of combustion to a turbine wheel 10 may be minimized by providing an incendiary device 32 within the vessel 20 which is triggered by a sensor 34, 36 in response to some sensed characteristic of the oxidant within the vessel 20 to increase the pressure within the vessel 20 and to drive the oxidant to the combustor 12.

Power unit with stored energy

A self-powered servo-actuated backpressure regulating valve including a valve housing (1) having an inlet port (2) and an outlet port (3). A valve plate (4) is disposed in the housing (1) and supported by an evacuated chamber (12) defined by a bellows (10) so as to be movable toward and away from a valve seat (15) of the inlet port (2) fluid pressure acting on the valve plate (4) is controlled by a valve assembly including a valve plate (32) supported in a housing portion (51) of a fixed support (50) by a bellows (30) defining an evacuated chamber (35). The valve plate (32) is exposed to pressure of the fluid in the inlet port (2) by way of an opening (54) with the pressure causing a displacement of the valve plate (32). A bellows (20) supports the valve plate (4) relative to the valve assembly so as to permit movement of the valve plate (4 ) relative to the valve seat (15).

Self powered servo actuated backpressure regulating valve

An air liquification system for a combustor or the like, including a condenser having an air intake and a heat exchanger for cooling the air to substantially a liquid state. A first conduit conducts the liquid air to the combustor. A source of hydrogen in a liquid state is provided, and a second conduit conducts the liquid hydrogen to the heat exchanger whereby the hydrogen acts as the cooling medium therein. A third conduit conducts the hydrogen from the heat exchanger to the combustor and includes a compressor for compressing the hydrogen up to a given combustor pressure. A second combustor may be provided for operating at ambient air pressure, with a portion of the hydrogen from the condenser being conducted to the second combustor upstream of the compressor. An air precooler may be provided upstream of the heat exchanger for passing the liquid air therethrough to act as a regenerative cooling medium therein prior to conducting the air to the first combustor.

Air liquification system for combustors or the like

A multi-port valve assembly for controlling the flow of fluid through a plurality of outlet ports. A valve housing defines a common inlet and a plurality of outlet ports. A valve member corresponds to each outlet port for controlling fluid flow through the respective port. Each valve member is independently adjustable for separately adjusting fluid flow characteristics through its respective port. All of the valve members are conjointly movable for controlling fluid flow through all the outlet ports simultaneously.

Multi-port valve assembly

To provide a pressure regulating valve which is self-powered and has no sliding parts, is capable of controlling fluid pressure to a fixed delta pressure above a sensed vapor pressure, and is otherwise suited for utilization in a two phase thermal management system, a valve body is provided having an inlet port and an outlet port, and a first valve member is adapted to move between an open and a closed position to open and close the inlet port. A first pressurized chamber communicates with the inlet port and acts on the first valve member while a second pressurized chamber communicates with the outlet port and selectively communicates with the first pressurized chamber by means of a second valve member adapted to move between an open and a closed position to open and close a passage between the chambers. Additionally, the pressure regulating valve is constructed such that the first valve member is normally biased toward the closed position in opposition to pressure in the inlet port and the second valve member is normally biased toward the open position in opposition to pressure in the outlet port.

Growing community of inventors

Rockford, IL, United States of America

Kent I Weber