US 12,214,889 B2
Integral propulsion and auxiliary power generation system for rocket engine powered aircraft
Andrew Thomas Duggleby, Friendswood, TX (US); Nicholas D. Cardwell, Houston, TX (US); and Christian Bailey, Palo Alto, CA (US)
Assigned to Venus Aerospace Corp., Houston, TX (US)
Filed by Venus Aerospace Corp., Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Aug. 11, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/885,597.
Prior Publication US 2024/0051671 A1, Feb. 15, 2024
Int. Cl. B64D 27/02 (2006.01); B64D 37/00 (2006.01); B64D 41/00 (2006.01); F02C 6/00 (2006.01); F02C 7/36 (2006.01); F02K 9/42 (2006.01); H02K 7/108 (2006.01); H02K 7/116 (2006.01); H02K 7/18 (2006.01); H02K 11/00 (2016.01)
CPC B64D 27/023 (2013.01) [B64D 37/00 (2013.01); B64D 41/00 (2013.01); F02C 6/00 (2013.01); F02C 7/36 (2013.01); F02K 9/425 (2013.01); H02K 7/108 (2013.01); H02K 7/116 (2013.01); H02K 7/1823 (2013.01); H02K 11/0094 (2013.01); F05D 2220/70 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An integral propulsion and auxiliary power generation system for rocket engine powered aircraft, the system comprising:
a rocket engine configured to burn a pressurized mixture of liquid propellants including a liquid fuel and a liquid oxidizer to generate thrust;
a liquid propellant supply system configured to supply the liquid fuel and the liquid oxidizer to the rocket engine, the liquid propellant supply system comprising:
a gas generator configured to burn a mixture of the liquid fuel and the liquid oxidizer to generate a combustion gas stream, and
a gas turbine in fluid communication with the gas generator, the gas turbine being configured to convert the kinetic energy of the combustion gas stream into mechanical energy;
a power generator configured to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy;
a transmission system configured to mechanically couple the gas turbine and the power generator to selectively transfer mechanical energy between the gas turbine and the power generator;
wherein the transmission system comprises a clutch configured to selectively engage and disengage rotational energy transfer between a first drive shaft of the gas turbine and a second drive shaft of a fuel pump or an oxidizer pump; and
an electric load device electrically coupled to the power generator.