Abstract: A propulsion and electric power generation system includes a gas turbine propulsion engine, an electrical generator, an aircraft power distribution system, a plurality of auxiliary fans, and a controller. The gas turbine propulsion engine includes at least a low-pressure turbine coupled to a fan via a low-pressure spool, and the low-pressure turbine is configured to generate mechanical power. The electrical generator is directly connected to the low-pressure spool and generates a total amount of electrical power (Pe). The aircraft power distribution system receives a first fraction (Pa) of the total amount of electrical power. The auxiliary fans receive a second fraction (Pf) of the total amount of electrical power. The controller is configured to control a ratio of Pf to Pa (Pf/Pa) such that the ratio spans a range from less than 0.6 to at least 0.9.

Abstract: An environmental control system (ECS) having contaminants in supply air that flows into an environment includes an outside air contaminant component that senses contaminants in outside air, wherein the outside air contaminant component is upstream of the environment, A recirculated air contaminant component is provided and that senses contaminants in recirculated air supplied by the environment, wherein the recirculated air contaminant component is downstream of the environment. A voltage supply provides a non-linear variable voltage to at least one of the components. A controller is in communication with the components and the voltage supply; wherein, upon a measured resistance, from at least one of the components, that exceeds a threshold, the controller varies at least one of an outside air flow and a recirculated air flow in the ECS.

Abstract: A propulsion and electric power generation system includes a gas turbine propulsion engine, an electrical generator, an aircraft power distribution system, a plurality of auxiliary fans, and a controller. The gas turbine propulsion engine includes at least a low-pressure turbine coupled to a fan via a low-pressure spool, and the low-pressure turbine is configured to generate mechanical power. The electrical generator is directly connected to the low-pressure spool and generates a total amount of electrical power (Pe). The aircraft power distribution system receives a first fraction (Pa) of the total amount of electrical power. The auxiliary fans receive a second fraction (Pf) of the total amount of electrical power. The controller is configured to control a ratio of Pf to Pa (Pf/Pa) such that the ratio spans a range from less than 0.6 to at least 0.9.

Abstract: A cooling system in which an ACS (air cycle system) turbine may be driven by high pressure air from a turbo-fan engine and a VCS (vapor cycle system) having an evaporator and a VCS refrigerant compressor may be driven by the ACS turbine. Fluid of the chilled fluid reservoir, which may be chilled fuel, may be circulated through and cooled in the evaporator. In some embodiments, the ACS turbine may be coupled to the VCS refrigerant compressor by a magnetic coupling.

Abstract: An environmental control system (ECS) having contaminants in supply air that flows into an environment includes an outside air contaminant component that senses contaminants in outside air, wherein the outside air contaminant component is upstream of the environment, A recirculated air contaminant component is provided and that senses contaminants in recirculated air supplied by the environment, wherein the recirculated air contaminant component is downstream of the environment. A voltage supply provides a non-linear variable voltage to at least one of the components. A controller is in communication with the components and the voltage supply; wherein, upon a measured resistance, from at least one of the components, that exceeds a threshold, the controller varies at least one of an outside air flow and a recirculated air flow in the ECS.

Abstract: An Environmental Control System includes sensors, an air purification subsystem, and a controller in communication with the sensors and air purification subsystem. The sensors detect contaminants in outside air supplied through engine and APU bleeds or other air sources including ground supplies and electric compressors, contaminants in recirculated air, particulates in outside air, carbon dioxide in recirculated air, temperature in an environment, and pressure in an environment. These sensed parameters are compared against thresholds. Based on the comparisons, changes to the outside air and/or recirculated air are made.

Abstract: An Environmental Control System includes a sensor, an air purification subsystem, and a controller in communication with the sensor and air purification subsystem. The sensor detects a contaminant in the air and generates a contaminant signal. The controller compares the contaminant signal to a predicted sensory response threshold. When the contaminant signal reaches the predicted sensory response threshold, the controller commands the air purification subsystem to alter a condition in the air.

Abstract: An Environmental Control System includes a sensor, an air purification subsystem, and a controller in communication with the sensor and air purification subsystem. The sensor detects a contaminant in the air and generates a contaminant signal. The controller compares the contaminant signal to a predicted sensory response threshold. When the contaminant signal reaches the predicted sensory response threshold, the controller commands the air purification subsystem to alter a condition in the air.

Abstract: An environmental control system (ECS) includes a controller; and a mode selector in communication with the controller and configured to select at least one of a plurality of modes. The mode is based on one of: number of occupants in an environment; activity of the occupants in the environment; destination of the environment; and performance of an engine that moves the environment. The controller is configured to change an ECS load on the system based upon the selected mode.

Abstract: An environmental control system (ECS) includes a controller; and a mode selector in communication with the controller and configured to select at least one of a plurality of modes. The mode is based on one of: number of occupants in an environment; activity of the occupants in the environment; destination of the environment; and performance of an engine that moves the environment. The controller is configured to change an ECS load on the system based upon the selected mode.

Abstract: An Environmental Control System includes a sensor, an air purification subsystem, and a controller in communication with the sensor and air purification subsystem. The sensor detects a contaminant in the air and generates a contaminant signal. The controller compares the contaminant signal to a predicted sensory response threshold. When the contaminant signal reaches the predicted sensory response threshold, the controller commands the air purification subsystem to alter a condition in the air.

Abstract: An Environmental Control System includes a sensor, an air purification subsystem, and a controller in communication with the sensor and air purification subsystem. The sensor detects a contaminant in the air and generates a contaminant signal. The controller compares the contaminant signal to a predicted sensory response threshold. When the contaminant signal reaches the predicted sensory response threshold, the controller commands the air purification subsystem to alter a condition in the air.

Abstract: An Environmental Control System includes a sensor, an air purification subsystem, and a controller in communication with the sensor and air purification subsystem. The sensor detects a contaminant in the air and generates a contaminant signal. The controller compares the contaminant signal to a predicted sensory response threshold. When the contaminant signal reaches the predicted sensory response threshold, the controller commands the air purification subsystem to alter a condition in the air.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing condensation in a crown area of an aircraft may include routing dry gas into a crown area of the aircraft between the cabin interior panels and the aircraft skin.

Abstract: A cooling system in which an ACS (air cycle system) turbine may be driven by high pressure air from a turbo-fan engine and a VCS (vapor cycle system) having an evaporator and a VCS refrigerant compressor may be driven by the ACS turbine. Fluid of the chilled fluid reservoir, which may be chilled fuel, may be circulated through and cooled in the evaporator. In some embodiments, the ACS turbine may be coupled to the VCS refrigerant compressor by a magnetic coupling.

Abstract: An Environmental Control System includes a sensor, an air purification subsystem, and a controller in communication with the sensor and air purification subsystem. The sensor detects a contaminant in the air and generates a contaminant signal. The controller compares the contaminant signal to a predicted sensory response threshold. When the contaminant signal reaches the predicted sensory response threshold, the controller commands the air purification subsystem to alter a condition in the air.

Abstract: An Environmental Control System includes sensors, an air purification subsystem, and a controller in communication with the sensors and air purification subsystem. The sensors detect contaminants in outside air supplied through engine and APU bleeds or other air sources including ground supplies and electric compressors, contaminants in recirculated air, particulates in outside air, carbon dioxide in recirculated air, temperature in an environment, and pressure in an environment. These sensed parameters are compared against thresholds. Based on the comparisons, changes to the outside air and/or recirculated air are made.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing condensation in a crown area of an aircraft may include routing dry gas into a crown area of the aircraft between the cabin interior panels and the aircraft skin.

Abstract: A bipropellant gas generation system comprises a fuel storage assembly, a diluted oxidizer storage assembly and a reaction assembly. The diluted oxidizer storage assembly includes a mixture of an oxidant and a diluent, such as nitrogen or an inert gas. The fuel and the diluted oxidizer are mixed together and reacted within the reaction assembly. The resulting reaction gas is cooled by the diluent, allowing the gas generation system to be operated at a stoichiometric oxidant-to-fuel ratio.

Abstract: A power source is provided for a resistive heating element that heats a catalyst bed of a reactor that receives a monopropellant fuel and reacts the fuel in the presence of the catalyst bed to provide hot gas driving a turbine. The power source is a capacitor that discharges its charge across the resistive heating element so that its temperature is elevated to a point where the reaction of the monopropellant fuel occurs. The power source may be used in airborne applications, such as emergency power systems for aircraft, where it is desirable to minimize the weight of the unit and to allow the unit to use safer monopropellant fuels.