US 12,460,579 B2
Propulsion system comprising a hydrogen-burning gas turbine engine
Michael C Willmot, Sheffield (GB); and Richard Peace, Derby (GB)
Assigned to ROLLS-ROYCE PLC, London (GB)
Filed by ROLLS-ROYCE plc, London (GB)
Filed on Oct. 16, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/916,983.
Claims priority of application No. 2317413 (GB), filed on Nov. 14, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2025/0154902 A1, May 15, 2025
Int. Cl. F02C 7/00 (2006.01); F02C 7/22 (2006.01); F02C 7/268 (2006.01); H01M 8/04082 (2016.01)
CPC F02C 7/22 (2013.01) [F02C 7/268 (2013.01); H01M 8/04201 (2013.01); F05D 2220/323 (2013.01); F05D 2260/213 (2013.01); H01M 2250/20 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A propulsion system comprising:
(i) a propulsive, hydrogen-burning gas turbine engine;
(ii) a first tank arranged to store liquid hydrogen with an ullage;
(iii) a first fuel line arranged to convey the liquid hydrogen from the first tank to a combustion apparatus of the propulsive, hydrogen-burning gas turbine engine, the first fuel line including a fuel pump and a vaporiser,
wherein the fuel pump is arranged to transport the liquid hydrogen from the first tank to the vaporiser and the vaporiser is arranged to vaporise the liquid hydrogen utilising heat from the propulsive, hydrogen-burning gas turbine engine and provide resulting gaseous hydrogen to the combustion apparatus of the propulsive, hydrogen-burning gas turbine engine and wherein the propulsion system further comprises:
(iv) a second tank arranged to store compressed gaseous hydrogen;
(v) a second fuel line arranged to convey the compressed gaseous hydrogen between the second tank and the first fuel line at a position thereon intermediate the vaporiser and the combustion apparatus; and
(vi) a duct which in operation of the propulsion system connects the compressed gaseous hydrogen stored in the second tank to the ullage of the first tank, and wherein
the first tank and a portion of the first fuel line extending from the first tank to the vaporiser are contained within a first volume which is arranged for evacuation during operation of the fuel system, and
the propulsion system further comprises a fuel cell stack and a third fuel line arranged to convey the compressed gaseous hydrogen from the second tank to the fuel cell stack and an electric vacuum pump arranged to receive electrical power from the fuel cell stack and substantially evacuate the first volume.