Abstract: The vapor membrane dehumidification device and method for air cycle environment control systems uses a semipermeable vapor membrane for water vapor, air separation. The vapor membrane has a high water to air permselectivity. When air containing water vapor is passed over or through the semipermeable fibers of the membrane countercurrently or crosscurrently to a purge air stream the water vapor may permeate through the fibers. Using a purge air stream of lower water vapor partial pressure relative to the feed moist air stream, the water vapor is moved to the purge air stream due to the partial pressure differential of water vapor and then expelled overboard with the purge air stream. The purge air stream can be replaced with any source of air internal or external to the aircraft such as air from the aircraft cabin.

Abstract: A portable life support system includes a primary oxygen supply in thermal communication with a recirculated ventilation flow from a user. The primary oxygen supply has a solid adsorbent bed made of a molecular sieve that adsorbs oxygen at cryogenic temperatures and desorbs oxygen when heated. The primary oxygen supply freezes carbon dioxide and moisture in the recirculated ventilation flow. A wire mesh is adjacent to the primary oxygen supply to contain frozen carbon dioxide and moisture. A first ice chest is downstream of the primary oxygen supply to condition the temperature and humidity of the recirculated ventilation flow. A liquid cooled garment associated with the suit is in thermal communication with the first ice chest.

Abstract: An aircraft environmental control system (ECS) provides fresh air for the cabin of an aircraft by using electric motor driven compressors in place of traditional engine bleed air. Conventional aircraft ECS use an engine bleed to provide the pressurized fresh air flow for an aircraft cabin. However, such a system suffers from the disadvantage of requiring additional fuel consumption in order to provide an adequate engine bleed source. The present invention, using a zero bleed, electric powered architecture, does not suffer from this drawback of the conventional ECS.

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises a compressor and a fuel processor downstream of the compressor. A fuel cell stack is in communication with the fuel processor and compressor. A combustor is downstream of the fuel cell stack. First and second turbines are downstream of the fuel processor and in parallel flow communication with one another. A distribution valve is in communication with the first and second turbines. The first and second turbines are mechanically engaged to the compressor. A bypass valve is intermediate the compressor and the second turbine, with the bypass valve enabling a compressed gas from the compressor to bypass the fuel processor.

Abstract: A gas adsorbent system includes a molded gas adsorbent within a housing. The molded gas adsorbent is disposed in the housing so that shifting is prevented without adhering the gas adsorbent to the housing, for example, by completely filling the housing. The gas adsorbent may include activated zeolite 13X. The gas adsorbent may be formed from a polymer solution such as polysulfone, and contain an organic binder.

Abstract: A turbomachine component includes a silicon nitride substrate and a multi-layer coating bonded to the substrate. The coating includes an interlayer of porous fibrous silicon nitride having a density of between 85-98%. The coating also includes an outer layer formed of an oxide compound, preferably tantalum oxide, that is applied by Electron Beam-Physical Vapor Deposition. The combination of the silicon nitride interlayer and tantalum oxide outer layer serves to protect the substrate from the adverse affects of oxidation, impact by foreign objects and extreme operating temperatures.

Abstract: A system includes a permanent magnet generator, a dc link, an inverter coupled between the generator and the dc link, and a control for the inverter. The control regulates dc link voltage by adjusting the load angle and voltage magnitude of inverter ac terminal voltage with respect to emf of the machine.

Abstract: A ram air turbine system provides liquid cooling of its generator by employing a closed loop liquid cooling line originating from a pump in the gearbox of the system. In the preferred embodiment the pump may be a pitot pump to which gearbox lubricating oil may be channeled along a trough that is located in the gearbox. At least a portion of the trough is immersed in the oil which travels along the trough toward the pump in response to turbine shaft rotation. The oil is directed into a cooling jacket which is integral to the generator and then to a heat exchanger exposed to airflow. The oil is then returned to the gearbox.

Abstract: A microturbine power system and of a method of operating same comprising automatically detecting fouling of a recuperator and then cleaning the recuperator.

Abstract: A power distribution system includes an ac power source; a power bus connected to the ac power source; a capacitor bank shunt-connected to the power bus; and an active filter shunt-connected to the power bus. The active filter includes current sensors, an inverter and an inverter control. Each current sensor senses current flowing through a corresponding capacitor of the capacitor bank. The inverter control, in response to the current sensors, controls the inverter to inject harmonic currents into the power bus.

Abstract: A lubricant coating disposed between a substrate and a counter surface comprises a reaction layer immediately adjacent the substrate. A bonding layer is immediately adjacent the reaction layer, with the bonding layer comprising a first composition. A low friction, lubricious layer is immediately adjacent the bonding layer, with the lubricious layer comprising a second composition that is different from the first composition.

Abstract: A method of coating a catalyst layer on a metallic substrate includes preparing a metal oxide and binder slurry to coat onto a metal surface and forming a catalytic layer over the slurry coated surface. The slurry may be made from a binder containing, for example, fully dissolved alumina in the presence of excess nitric acid. The binder may then be mixed with a metal oxide mixture to form the metal oxide-binder slurry. The metal oxide mixture may contain aluminum oxide or partially hydrated aluminum oxide. The metal oxide-binder slurry can be used to coat the surfaces of a variety of metals such as aluminum, titanium, nickel, cobalt, chromium, iron, copper, etc., or their alloys that include brass, as well as stainless steel with or without Al as a component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting water droplets from a water-laden airstream includes introducing the airstream into an extractor duct, imparting a swirling motion to the airstream at a first axial location in the duct, removing water droplets from the airstream that have been thrown to the inner surface of the duct at a second axial location downstream of the first location, and at a third axial location downstream of the second location removing water droplets not removed at the second location. The water removal mechanism at the second location includes a first collection chamber and a first array of apertures circumferentially positioned about the duct and communicating the interior of the duct with the first collection chamber.

Abstract: The heating apparatus and method for the nose fairing of a rotating blade assembly has an electrical generator connected to a heating element attached to the interior of the forward end of the nose fairing. The electrical generator has a rotor with conductor windings attached to the aft end of the rotating blade assembly hub housing. The stator of the electrical generator is attached opposite the rotor on the support structure for the hub housing with stator magnets spaced from and opposite the rotor windings. When the hub housing is rotated by for example airflow through the blades of the rotating blade assembly the rotor moves relative to the stator thereby creating an induced current in the windings. This converts the rotational energy to electrical energy to power the heater to heat the nose fairing to inhibit the formation of ice thereon.

Abstract: An air cleaning system and method employs both particulate and gaseous contaminant removal from a flowing air stream to improve air quality in a selected environmental space. Particulate contaminants are removed by an appropriate filter. Gaseous contaminants such as VOCs, CO, and O3 are removed using a catalyst to oxidize such contaminants. The air stream is selectively heated to provide an adequate catalyst reaction temperature and the heat energy is then recovered by a heat exchanger. Various sensors are employed to monitor flow rate, air composition, temperature and pressure. A controller is programmable to control air quality for either minimizing contaminants or minimizing energy usage required to achieve a selected minimum air quality over a period of time.

Abstract: A hydrophilic coating can be optionally corrosion resistant and/or microbial resistant for a substrate such as a heat exchanger. The coating is provided by a zeolite layer that can be formed from a synthesis solution comprising a structure directing agent, a base, a silicon source, an aluminum source, and a solvent. In one preferred embodiment, the synthesis solution comprises tetrapropylammonium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, aluminum oxide, tetraethylorthosilicate, and water. The layer is characterized by a zeolite MFI structure and by a composition having the formula of Mn/m[AlnSi(96−n)O192], or [AlnSi(96−n)O192]·4[(CH3CH2CH2)4N—OH] wherein M is a metal ion of valence m+ (e.g., Na+) and 27>n>=0. After formation of the coating, the organic structure directing agent can be left intact inside the zeolite coating to make the coating corrosion resistant.

Abstract: The deployable flexible airlock and method for space vehicles, modules, and other structures has a flexible conduit attached between a vehicle frame member and a distal frame member. The airlock may be integrated into the hatch of a space vehicle. In the stowed configuration the airlock occupies a small volume to minimize the usable space impact to the space vehicle. The airlock is deployed by introducing vehicle cabin air into a number of support columns or tubes, which thereby inflate and cause the distal frame member to be pushed away from the vehicle frame member. When deployed, a chamber is formed for a user to transition through the airlock. The airlock is pressurized using cabin air and depressurized by evacuating the cabin air. Retraction of the airlock for stowage is accomplished by use of cables attached to the distal frame member, and controlled by actuator assemblies attached to the vehicle frame member.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing movement of a wheel on a shaft comprises a nut concentrically disposed on the shaft. A spring is disposed on the shaft and is operatively adjacent to the nut such that the spring can be biased towards the wheel. A first clamping ring is concentrically disposed on the wheel, with the first clamping ring being operatively adjacent the spring. A second clamping ring is operatively adjacent to the side of the wheel that is opposite to the first clamping ring, and a raceway is disposed between the shaft and wheel.

Abstract: A non-explosive actuator includes a housing, a push rod extending into one end of the housing and a plurality of dogs within the housing. A plunger is inserted into an opposite end of the housing and the push rod is depressed and locked in place. Depressing the push rod causes the dogs to engage the plunger and prevent it from being withdrawn from the housing. Unlocking the push rod eventually causes the dogs to release the plunger and allow the plunger to be withdrawn from the housing. The actuator may be reused after the plunger is removed from the housing. The actuator may be reused simply by re-inserting the plunger into the housing and re-depressing the push rod.

Abstract: A heat exchanger subsystem for an environmental control system comprises a heat exchanger array having a plurality of heat exchanger elements that operate in parallel to an inlet cooling airflow to the heat exchanger array such that each load heat exchanger is connected to a separate load with each heat transfer loop operating in substantially independent fashion without load interaction effects. In addition, continuous ice and water removal is provided allowing continuous subfreezing operation improving cooling performance along with anti-ice provisions which recover rejected heat for improved energy efficiency. The heat exchanger elements may include air-to-air heat exchanger cores, liquid-to-air heat exchanger cores, and hot bars internal or external to the heat exchanger cores.