Auxiliary power unit with intercooler
First Claim
1. An auxiliary power unit for an aircraft, comprising:
- a compressor;
an intercooler including at least one first conduit in heat exchange relationship with at least one second conduit, the at least one first conduit having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the compressor, the at least one second conduit being configured for circulation of a coolant therethrough;
an engine core including at least one internal combustion engine having at least one combustion chamber of varying volume; and
wherein an outlet of the at least one first conduit of the intercooler is in fluid communication with an inlet of the engine core and with a bleed conduit having an end configured for connection with a pneumatic system of the aircraft, the bleed conduit in fluid communication with the outlet of the at least one first conduit of the intercooler at a location between the intercooler and the inlet of the engine core, the bleed conduit having a bleed air valve selectively opening and closing the fluid communication between the outlet of the at least one first conduit of the intercooler and the end of the bleed conduit configured for connection to the pneumatic system;
wherein the auxiliary power unit is configured to flow compressed air from the intercooler simultaneously to the inlet of the engine core and through the bleed conduit in communication with the pneumatic system of the aircraft.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An auxiliary power unit for an aircraft, having a compressor, an intercooler including first conduit(s) having an inlet in fluid communication with the compressor outlet and second conduit(s) configured for circulation of a coolant therethrough, an engine core having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the first conduit(s), and a bleed conduit in fluid communication with the outlet of the first conduit(s) through a bleed air valve. The auxiliary power unit may include a generator in driving engagement with the shaft of the engine core to provide electrical power for the aircraft. A method of providing compressed air and electrical power to an aircraft is also discussed.
158 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An auxiliary power unit for an aircraft, comprising:
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a compressor; an intercooler including at least one first conduit in heat exchange relationship with at least one second conduit, the at least one first conduit having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the compressor, the at least one second conduit being configured for circulation of a coolant therethrough; an engine core including at least one internal combustion engine having at least one combustion chamber of varying volume; and wherein an outlet of the at least one first conduit of the intercooler is in fluid communication with an inlet of the engine core and with a bleed conduit having an end configured for connection with a pneumatic system of the aircraft, the bleed conduit in fluid communication with the outlet of the at least one first conduit of the intercooler at a location between the intercooler and the inlet of the engine core, the bleed conduit having a bleed air valve selectively opening and closing the fluid communication between the outlet of the at least one first conduit of the intercooler and the end of the bleed conduit configured for connection to the pneumatic system; wherein the auxiliary power unit is configured to flow compressed air from the intercooler simultaneously to the inlet of the engine core and through the bleed conduit in communication with the pneumatic system of the aircraft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An auxiliary power unit for an aircraft, comprising:
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a compressor; an intercooler including at least one first conduit in heat exchange relationship with at least one second conduit, the at least one second conduit being configured for circulation of a coolant therethrough; an engine core including at least one internal combustion engine in driving engagement with a common shaft and having at least one combustion chamber of varying volume, the engine core having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the compressor through the at least one first conduit of the intercooler; a generator in driving engagement with the common shaft to provide electrical power for the aircraft; a bleed conduit having an end configured for connection to a pneumatic system of the aircraft, the bleed conduit being in fluid communication with the outlet of the compressor through the at least one first conduit of the intercooler, the fluid communication between the outlet of the compressor and the bleed conduit located upstream of the engine core and configured to communicate with the pneumatic system separately from an exhaust flow of the engine core; and a bleed air valve downstream of the intercooler configured for selectively opening and closing the fluid communication between the outlet of the compressor and the end of the bleed conduit configured for connection to the pneumatic system of the aircraft. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification