Inert gas generating system
First Claim
1. A method of inerting a fuel tank in an aircraft having a main thrust generating engine and an auxiliary power unit, comprising the steps of:
- providing a dedicated turbine engine;
combusting hydrocarbon fuel with oxygen in said dedicated turbine engine positioned in the aircraft, said dedicated turbine engine operating independent of the main thrust generating engine and said auxiliary power unit;
operating said dedicated turbine engine at a stoichiometric ratio to generate engine exhaust comprising carbon dioxide and having an oxygen content below a predetermined threshold;
cooling said engine exhaust with a first cooling air flow from a blower powered by said dedicated turbine engine;
compressing said engine exhaust in a compressor powered by said dedicated turbine engine to generate compressed exhaust;
cooling said compressed exhaust with a second cooling air flow from the blower; and
directing said compressed exhaust into the fuel tank.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for generating an inert gas. An embodiment of the system comprises a turbine engine, a compressor and a blower. Additional elements may be provided to condition the air so that it is satisfactory for use in the fuel tank. Such elements include filters, catalytic converters, air pressure regulators, and heat exchangers, as well as elements to monitor the oxygen content and temperature of the air flow. An embodiment of a method for generating an inert gas is also provided. The method comprises combusting fuel to generate engine exhaust, compressing the engine exhaust to generate compressed exhaust, and directing said compressed exhaust into the fuel tank.
50 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of inerting a fuel tank in an aircraft having a main thrust generating engine and an auxiliary power unit, comprising the steps of:
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providing a dedicated turbine engine; combusting hydrocarbon fuel with oxygen in said dedicated turbine engine positioned in the aircraft, said dedicated turbine engine operating independent of the main thrust generating engine and said auxiliary power unit; operating said dedicated turbine engine at a stoichiometric ratio to generate engine exhaust comprising carbon dioxide and having an oxygen content below a predetermined threshold; cooling said engine exhaust with a first cooling air flow from a blower powered by said dedicated turbine engine; compressing said engine exhaust in a compressor powered by said dedicated turbine engine to generate compressed exhaust; cooling said compressed exhaust with a second cooling air flow from the blower; and directing said compressed exhaust into the fuel tank. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An aircraft comprising:
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an aircraft body; a fuel tank; a main thrust generating engine; an auxiliary power unit; a dedicated turbine engine operating at a stoichiometric ratio positioned in the aircraft and operable independent of the main thrust generating engine and said auxiliary power unit, the dedicated turbine engine configured to combust hydrocarbon fuel with oxygen to generate engine exhaust comprising carbon dioxide and having an oxygen content below a predetermined threshold; a compressor powered by said dedicated turbine engine, said compressor operable to compress said engine exhaust to generate compressed exhaust; a blower powered by said dedicated turbine engine and operable to provide a first cooling air flow to a first heat exchanger and a second cooling air flow to a second heat exchanger, said first heat exchanger configured to receive said compressed exhaust and utilize said first cooling air flow to cool said compressed exhaust, said second heat exchanger configured to utilize said second cooling air flow to cool said engine exhaust before said engine exhaust is compressed; and a fuel tank feed line configured to direct said compressed exhaust into the fuel tank. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification