Abstract: Fuel tank inerting systems for aircraft are described. The systems include a fuel tank, a pressurized air source, an air separation module arranged between the pressurized air source and the fuel tank, the air separation module configured to generate an inerting gas from pressurized air supplied from the pressurized air source and supply the inerting gas to the fuel tank, an upstream thermal conditioning system arranged upstream of the air separation module, the upstream thermal conditioning system configured to increase a temperature of the pressurized air prior to entry into the air separation module, and a downstream thermal conditioning system arranged downstream of the air separation module, the downstream thermal conditioning system configured to decrease a temperature of the inerting gas prior to entry into the fuel tank.

Abstract: A system and method for providing dried inert gas to a protected space is disclosed.

Abstract: A system for fuel tank inerting includes a humid on-board inert gas generating system coupled with a proton exchange membrane dryer. The on-board inert gas generating system produces humid inert gas, which is dried by the proton exchange membrane dryer prior to use in a fuel system for inerting.

Abstract: A thermal sensor for an aircraft includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a support layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a state changing material is configured to disposed within the support layer, wherein the state changing material transitions between a non-conductive state to a conductive state at a threshold temperature to electrically connect the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A method of producing inert gas uses an electrochemical gas separator with a proton exchange membrane to produce oxygen-depleted air and a water vapor transport module to dehumidify oxygen-depleted air. A drying mechanism is leveraged in conjunction with the water vapor transport module to dry the oxygen-depleted air. The dried oxygen-depleted air is then used in a location requiring inerting.

Abstract: A system for providing inerting gas to a protected space is disclosed. The system includes an electrochemical cell that produces inerting gas on a cathode fluid flow path, and delivers it to an inerting gas flow path is disposed in operative fluid communication with the cathode fluid flow path outlet and the protected space. The inerting gas flow path includes a condenser that receives inerting gas from the cathode fluid flow path outlet, and also includes a pressure control device configured along with the pressurized gas source to provide a pressure at the condenser greater than ambient pressure.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for providing inerting gas to a protected space. The system includes an electrochemical cell including a cathode, an anode separated by a separator that includes an ion transfer medium, and an electrical connection to a power source or power sink. A cathode fluid flow path is in operative fluid communication with a catalyst at the cathode between a cathode fluid flow path inlet and a cathode fluid flow path outlet, and an anode fluid flow path is in operative fluid communication with a catalyst at the anode, and includes an anode fluid flow path outlet. A cathode supply fluid flow path is disposed between the protected space and the cathode fluid flow path inlet, and an inerting gas flow path is in operative fluid communication with the cathode flow path outlet and the protected space.

Abstract: A method of selectively operating an ullage passivation system includes receiving at least one of a temperature signal and a vapor composition signal. The method further includes operating an ullage passivation system to provide a fluid to the fuel tank, in response to at least one of a temperature exceeding a temperature threshold and a component of the vapor composition exceeding a threshold composition.

Abstract: A fuel tank inerting system uses a catalytic oxidation unit to combust fuel from the fuel tank to produce inert gas, simultaneously working with a gas separator that removes dissolved carbon dioxide from the fuel before it is cycled to the thermal management system (TMS) or the engine. This prevents cavitation of carbon dioxide (gaseous bubbling) within the fuel at varying temperatures while in flight.

Abstract: A system for generating inert gas includes a source of pressurized air. An air separation module including at least one permeable membrane is operable to separate the pressurized air into oxygen-enriched air and inert gas-enriched air. A fuel tank containing a fuel is arranged downstream from said air separation module. The inert gas-enriched air output from said air separation module interacts with said fuel to remove dissolved oxygen from said fuel.

Abstract: A fuel tank inerting system uses a catalytic oxidation unit to combust fuel from the fuel tank to produce inert gas, simultaneously working with a gas separator that removes dissolved carbon dioxide from the fuel before it is cycled to the thermal management system (TMS) or the engine. This prevents cavitation of carbon dioxide (gaseous bubbling) within the fuel at varying temperatures while in flight.

Abstract: A fuel tank inerting system includes an air separation module with an oxygen permeable membrane and a variable vacuum source in fluid communication with the air separation module. The variable vacuum source provides an adjustable vacuum to the permeate side of the oxygen permeable membrane in the air separation module, driving production of inert gas for fuel tank inerting or fire suppression.

Abstract: An onboard electrochemical system of an electrochemical cell including a cathode and an anode separated by an electrolyte separator is selectively operated in either of two modes. In a first mode of operation, water or air is directed to the anode, electric power is provided to the anode and cathode to provide a voltage difference between the anode and the cathode, and nitrogen-enriched air is directed from the cathode to an aircraft fuel tank or aircraft fire suppression system. In a second mode of operation, fuel is directed to the anode, electric power is directed from the anode and cathode to one or more aircraft electric power-consuming systems or components, and nitrogen-enriched air is directed from the cathode to a fuel tank or fire suppression system.

Abstract: A system for generating inert gas includes a source of pressurized air. An air separation module including at least one permeable membrane is operable to separate the pressurized air into oxygen-enriched air and inert gas-enriched air. A fuel tank containing a fuel is arranged downstream from said air separation module. The inert gas-enriched air output from said air separation module interacts with said fuel to remove dissolved oxygen from said fuel.

Abstract: An inert gas generating system includes a source of a liquid hydrocarbon fuel, and a fractioning unit configured to receive a portion of the liquid hydrocarbon fuel from the source. The fractioning unit includes a perm-selective membrane configured to separate the portion of the liquid hydrocarbon fuel into substantially sulfur-free vapors and a sulfur-containing remainder. The system further includes a catalytic oxidation unit configured to receive and react the substantially sulfur-free vapors to produce an inert gas.

Abstract: An air inert gas generating system consists of heat exchangers, a heating element, and a plurality of solid oxide electrochemical gas separator (SOEGS) cells. The SOEGS cells are interconnected in series to create a stack. A voltage is applied to the stack causing oxygen ions to be transported from the air flowing through the cathode through the electrolyte to the anode side of the SOEGS, resulting in oxygen-depleted gas. The oxygen-depleted gas can be used to inert the ullage of aircraft fuel tank or support the fire suppression system in the cargo hold. The oxygen-enriched gas can be used for other purposes.

Abstract: A fuel deoxygenation system for an aircraft includes a hydrocarbon recycler configured to recycle hydrocarbon gas into fuel. The hydrocarbon recycler includes a housing that partially defines an ullage channel configured to fluidly communicate with both an ullage of an aircraft fuel tank and a vent, wherein the housing partially defines a hydrocarbon recirculation channel configured to fluidly communicate with a liquid portion of a fuel tank. The hydrocarbon recycler also includes a membrane defining a sealing wall between the ullage channel and the hydrocarbon recirculation channel such that the membrane is in fluid communication with both the ullage channel and the hydrocarbon recirculation channel, wherein the membrane is configured to be permeable to hydrocarbons such that hydrocarbons in the ullage channel can pass through the membrane to the hydrocarbon recirculation channel and oxygen in the ullage channel to passes through to be vented.

Abstract: An air inert gas generating system consists of heat exchangers, a heating element, and a plurality of solid oxide electrochemical gas separator (SOEGS) cells. The SOEGS cells are interconnected in series to create a stack. A voltage is applied to the stack causing oxygen ions to be transported from the air flowing through the cathode through the electrolyte to the anode side of the SOEGS, resulting in oxygen-depleted gas. The oxygen-depleted gas can be used to inert the ullage of aircraft fuel tank or support the fire suppression system in the cargo hold. The oxygen-enriched gas can be used for other purposes.

Abstract: An onboard electrochemical system of an electrochemical cell including a cathode and an anode separated by an electrolyte separator is selectively operated in either of two modes. In a first mode of operation, water or air is directed to the anode, electric power is provided to the anode and cathode to provide a voltage difference between the anode and the cathode, and nitrogen-enriched air is directed from the cathode to an aircraft fuel tank or aircraft fire suppression system. In a second mode of operation, fuel is directed to the anode, electric power is directed from the anode and cathode to one or more aircraft electric power-consuming systems or components, and nitrogen-enriched air is directed from the cathode to a fuel tank or fire suppression system.

Abstract: A fuel tank system is disclosed that includes a fuel tank and a first fluid flow path between a gas space in the fuel tank and outside of the fuel system. A gas separation membrane is disposed with a first side in communication with the first fluid flow path and a second side in communication with a second fluid flow path. A fluid control device is in communication with the second fluid flow path and is configured to provide fluid flow from the second fluid flow path to a liquid space in the fuel tank or to outside of the fuel system. A prime mover is disposed in communication with the second fluid flow path, and is configured to move fluid on the second fluid flow path from the second side of the separation membrane to the fuel tank liquid space or to outside of the fuel system.