The Boeing Company

Michael G Friend

Mark Edward Eakins

David Lee Daggett

James M Huber

Jay R Huffington

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 common flight deck module for use with a plurality of aircraft platforms. The common flight deck module includes a discrete structure that is independent of the structure of the aircraft fuselage and may includes an avionics system and other hardware, controls and equipment. The common flight deck module is configured to &ldquo;plug into&rdquo; the fuselage from each of the aircraft platforms. The &ldquo;plug in&rdquo; modularity of the common flight deck module permits the standardization of various components and procedures to thereby make possible efficiency-based cost reductions for both aircraft manufacturers and aircraft consumers.

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Madrid, Spain

Michael G Friend