DE202008015623U1 - Ground launch device for starting turbines of aircraft - Google Patents

Abstract

Air-start system for starting jet engines of aircraft and other aircraft with a compressor (2) for generating compressed air and an electric Power supply device (3) for operating the compressor (2), characterized in that it is in the electrical power supply device (3) is a fuel cell.

Description

The Innovation relates to a ground starting device for starting jet engines of airplanes and other aircraft with a compressor for generating compressed air and an electrical power supply device for the operation of the compressor.

To start (start) of jet engines, the turbines must be accelerated to a speed of about 15 to 20% of the maximum speed before the fuel may be switched on the jet engine. This is usually done with the help of an on-board Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). However, if this starting device fails, either the airport operator or the corresponding airline provides a so-called Air Start Unit (ASU) (see also: http://www.rheinmetall-detec.de/index.php?lang=2&fid=3302 ).

Another ASU describes the US 2,185,964 A ,

at known ground starters, the power supply takes place the respective compressed air generating compressor by means of a Diesel drive or by means of a gas turbine. Such with diesel or kerosene powered drives but lead in the combustion process to a high environmental impact in the area of the corresponding airport.

Of the Innovation is based on the task, a ground starting device to reveal which over known devices leads to significantly lower environmental impact of the corresponding airport.

These Task is renewal by the features of claim 1. Further, particularly advantageous Embodiments of the innovation disclose the dependent claims.

The Innovation is essentially based on the idea of electric Energy supply device instead of a diesel engine or a gas turbine to use a fuel cell.

There the chemical reaction of the continuously supplied fuel and an oxidant within the fuel cell silently is, the renewal ground launch device also has the big advantage on that, a much quieter operation is possible than in Bodenstartgeräten, the one Diesel drive or a gas turbine as a power generator need.

When Fuel can both hydrogen and the fuel cell reformed hydrocarbons, such as kerosene, diesel or methanol be supplied. The oxidizing agent is usually for oxygen.

Further Details and advantages of the innovation emerge from the following, Based on a figure illustrated embodiment.

In the figure is with 1 designates a renewal ground launch device for starting jet engines of an aircraft, not shown. The ground launch device 1 which can be mounted on a mobile frame (eg a trailer), for example, consists essentially of a compressor 2 for generating compressed air, a fuel cell 3 for generating the electrical power supply of the compressor 2 and a controller 4 , The controller 4 serves to control the compressor 2 , the fuel cell 3 and for controlling valves (not shown) in the supply lines of the fuel cell 3 , The corresponding electrical control lines are in the figure with the reference numerals 5 - 8th designated and shown in dashed lines.

The known fuel cell 3 comprises a plate-shaped cathode 9 and also plate-shaped anode 10 passing through a membrane 11 are separated from each other. As fuel is the anode 10 over a first pipeline 12 continuously hydrogen and the cathode 9 via a second pipeline 13 continuously fed oxygen as an oxidizing agent. The reaction of oxygen with the fuel (2H ₂ + O ₂ → 2H ₂ O) then supplies the electrical energy.

With the help of the controller 4 can over the control lines 7 and 8th Valves (not shown) are controlled, which regulate the inflow of the fuel and the oxidant.

As the figure also shows, the hydrogen after flowing through the fuel cell 3 this via a recirculation line 14 on the input side (ie via the anode 10 ) fed again. The spent oxidant is via an outlet conduit 15 dissipated.

The by means of the fuel cell 3 Electricity generated is via electrical lines 16 . 17 the compressor 2 fed.

The compressor 2 is also with a pipe 18 , via which the air to be compressed is supplied, and a compressed air hose 19 connected, via which the compressed air to the approaching jet engine (not shown) passes.

The Of course, innovation is not on the above described embodiment limited. So The fuel cell can also be designed so that as fuel instead of pure hydrogen reformed hydrocarbons, such as kerosene, diesel or methanol can be used.

1

Air-start system

2

compressor

3

fuel cell, Power supply means

4

controller

5-8

control lines

9

cathode

10

anode

11

membrane

12

first pipeline

13

second pipeline

14

recirculation

15

outlet pipe

16 17

electrical cables

18

pipeline

19

Compressed air hose

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - US 2185964A [0003]

Cited non-patent literature

• - http://www.rheinmetall-detec.de/index.php?lang=2&fid=3302 [0002]

Claims (2)

Ground launch device for launching jet engines of aircraft and other aircraft with a compressor ( 2 ) for generating compressed air and an electrical power supply device ( 3 ) for the operation of the compressor ( 2 ), characterized in that it is in the electrical power supply device ( 3 ) is a fuel cell. Ground starting device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is in the fuel cell ( 3 ) is one which uses as fuel hydrogen or reformed hydrocarbons, such as kerosene, diesel or methanol.