| CPC B64D 33/10 (2013.01) [B64D 27/34 (2024.01)] | 20 Claims |
|
1. An electric propulsion system for a flight vehicle, the electric propulsion system comprising:
a fan rotor assembly defining a fan centerline axis and having (a) a first fan portion including first fan blades, and (b) a second fan portion including second fan blades;
a fan cowling having a first fan cowling wall extending circumferentially about the fan centerline axis and a second fan cowling wall arranged radially outward of the first fan cowling wall, with respect to the fan centerline axis, and extending circumferentially about the fan centerline axis, a first flow passage defined within the first fan cowling wall, and a second flow passage defined between the first fan cowling wall and the second fan cowling wall;
an electric drive mechanism arranged to drive the fan rotor assembly about the fan centerline axis; and
an electric drive cooling system that includes a liquid coolant and arranged to provide cooling to at least a part of the electric drive mechanism, the electric drive cooling system including a heat exchanger arranged within the second flow passage and through which the liquid coolant flows,
wherein the first fan portion is arranged to provide a first flow of air through the first flow passage to provide at least one of a lifting force or a thrust force to the electric propulsion system, and the second fan portion is arranged to provide a second flow of air through the second flow passage to provide a flow of cooling air therethrough that is in thermal communication with the heat exchanger.
|