Abstract:
A unique airborne electrical power and thermal management system and a unique aircraft having a unique airborne electrical power and thermal management system are provided. The electrical power and thermal management system includes a turbine, which may power loads, for example but not limited to, a generator and a refrigerant compressor. The turbine may be in fluid communication with a gas turbine engine bleed air source to extract power from bleed air for powering the loads. A combustor may be fluidly disposed between the bleed air source and the turbine. The turbine may be part of a gas turbine engine distinct from a propulsion gas turbine engine. In one aspect, at least a portion of the electrical power and thermal management system may be disposed within an aircraft external pod. The pod may be configured to appear similar to a conventional external fuel tank pod employed by the aircraft.
Abstract:
An aircraft having a cooling system is disclosed. The cooling system can be used to cool a heat emitting component. In one form the cooling system is a refrigerant system and includes a relatively high temperature device such as, but not limited to, a condenser. The relatively high temperature component is placed in thermal communication with a passing air flow. In one embodiment the aircraft includes a pod in which at least a portion of the cooling system is disposed. For example, a condenser of a vapor cycle refrigerant system can be located in the pod and in thermal communication with the air flow. The cooling system can also include a device capable of delivering a cooling fluid into the air flow and/or to the relatively high temperature component. The cooling fluid can be evaporated to provided additional cooling.
Abstract:
A carrier for a paint tray is provided, the tray having an inner wall defining a container for containing paint and an outer wall for supporting the container, the inner and outer walls defining a space therebetween accessible from underneath the tray. The carrier comprises a coupler for coupling to the paint tray and a lifting member connected to the coupler. The coupler comprises a coupling member for insertion into the space between said inner and outer wall and having wall engaging means for engaging the interior faces of both said inner and outer walls simultaneously when inserted into said space to secure the member within the space and to support said tray from the coupling member.
Abstract:
A counter-rotating open-rotor blade aircraft propulsion system includes a structure supporting a plurality of blades. A rotor is drivingly coupled to the structure supporting the plurality of blades. The rotor includes a rotating coil disposed in the structure supporting the plurality of blades. A rotating magnetic field source includes two Halbach permanent magnet arrays.
Abstract:
An electrical machine is embedded into the compressor assembly of a gas turbine engine. An electrical system interface module distributes electrical current to and from the embedded electrical machine for starting the gas turbine engine and for operating accessory components. Accordingly, the gas turbine engine and accessory components can be started and operated without a power-takeoff shaftline and without an external accessory gearbox.
Abstract:
A holder for a paint container can be used on uneven surfaces. The holder comprises a support base. Pivotally coupled to the support base is at least one leg and/or a lifting member. The at least one leg is selectively positionable for fixing the angular orientation of the at least one leg relative to the paint container support base. The lifting member may be located to support a paint container across a lateral axis extending substantially above a combined center of gravity of the holder and the paint container.
Abstract:
A thermal system is disclosed in thermal communication with an electrical device. In one form the thermal system is a refrigeration system having a compressor, condenser, and evaporator. The electrical device can be disposed within the thermal system such that a working fluid of the thermal system exchanges heat with the electrical device. In one embodiment the thermal system includes a container in which the electrical device is disposed. The working fluid in the container can, but need not, remain in substantially the same physical state when transferring heat with the electrical device.
Abstract:
An electrical power generation apparatus is embedded in a contra-rotating propulsion system that includes overlapping first and second shafts operatively connected for counter-rotation about a common axis. The electrical power generation apparatus includes a winding mounted to one of the shafts and a field array mounted to the other of the shafts adjacent to the winding. Relative rotation of the winding and the field array induces electrical current in the winding.
Abstract:
A system is disclosed one form of which is an aircraft that includes a pod capable of housing a work providing device. The pod can also include a thermal conditioning system and a power generation device that can be powered from the work providing device. The pod can provide thermal conditioning services and power services to a payload aboard the aircraft. In one non-limiting form the payload is a directed energy member that can be cooled using the thermal conditioning system and powered using the power generation device.
Abstract:
A method for utilizing landfill gas is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of collecting landfill gas. The method also includes the step of fueling a turbine engine that is at least part of a power generation system with the landfill gas to generate power. The method also includes the step of cooling one or more components of the power generation system with the landfill gas prior to the fueling step. A power generation system capable of practicing the method is also disclosed. A landfill gas utilization system capable of practicing the method is also disclosed.