US 11,668,243 B2
Methods and systems for starting hydrogen powered gas generators
Marc J. Muldoon, Marlborough, CT (US); and Carroll V. Sidwell, Wethersfield, CT (US)
Assigned to RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, Farmington, CT (US)
Filed by Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Farmington, CT (US)
Filed on May 25, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/329,501.
Prior Publication US 2022/0381185 A1, Dec. 1, 2022
Int. Cl. F02C 7/224 (2006.01); F02C 3/22 (2006.01); F02C 7/232 (2006.01); F02C 7/26 (2006.01); F02C 9/40 (2006.01); B64D 37/14 (2006.01); B64D 37/30 (2006.01); F02C 7/262 (2006.01); F02C 7/32 (2006.01); B64D 37/04 (2006.01); B64D 37/10 (2006.01); B64D 37/16 (2006.01); B64D 37/34 (2006.01); B64D 37/06 (2006.01); B64F 1/28 (2006.01)
CPC F02C 7/224 (2013.01) [F02C 3/22 (2013.01); F02C 7/232 (2013.01); F02C 7/26 (2013.01); F02C 7/262 (2013.01); F02C 7/32 (2013.01); F02C 9/40 (2013.01); B64D 37/04 (2013.01); B64D 37/06 (2013.01); B64D 37/10 (2013.01); B64D 37/14 (2013.01); B64D 37/16 (2013.01); B64D 37/30 (2013.01); B64D 37/34 (2013.01); B64F 1/28 (2013.01); F05D 2220/323 (2013.01); F05D 2240/36 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An aircraft hydrogen fuel system, comprising:
a hydrogen burning main engine;
a main tank configured to contain a first supply of hydrogen comprising liquid hydrogen, the first supply of hydrogen to be supplied to the main engine during a normal operation of the main engine;
a starter tank configured to contain a second supply of hydrogen comprising gaseous hydrogen, the second supply of hydrogen to be supplied to and consumed by the main engine during a startup operation of the main engine, wherein the starter tank is refillable from a ground source and wherein the gaseous hydrogen in the starter tank is at least partially formed by a gaseous hydrogen that is sourced from boil-off from the liquid hydrogen of the main tank;
an accumulator arranged between the main tank and the starter tank, the accumulator configured to accumulate the gaseous hydrogen from the boil-off; and
a pump configured to boost a pressure of the gaseous hydrogen from the boil-off prior to the boil-off being supplied into the starter tank.