Abstract: A refueling system for hydrogen fuel cell-powered aircraft is disclosed. The system includes a compressor to receive a source of low temperature, high pressure hydrogen gas and compress the low temperature, high pressure hydrogen gas into a higher temperature, higher pressure hydrogen gas. A compression chamber within the compressor to receive the higher temperature, higher pressure hydrogen gas from the compressor. A valve coupled with the compression chamber to reduce the pressure of the higher temperature, higher pressure hydrogen gas to a higher temperature, lower pressure hydrogen gas. A storage container on an aircraft to receive the higher temperature, lower pressure hydrogen gas via the pressure relief valve. A heat exchanger in thermal cooperation with the compression chamber, the heat exchanger configured to absorb heat from the compression chamber and convert the heat into storable energy.

Abstract: A multiple energy source management system for an integrated hydrogen-electric engine is disclosed, the system includes a first and a second energy source providing energy to the integrated hydrogen-electric engine. A pre-charge load to provide an energy demand to a selected energy source. A sensor monitoring a power output from the first and/or second energy source. A relay to switch between the first and second energy sources. A computer system to receive an output energy of the first energy source, determine if the output energy is below a threshold value, switch the relay from the first state to the third state for a predetermined period of time, based on the determination, pre-charge the second energy source by the pre-charge load; and switch the relay to the second state after the predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamic optimization of system efficiency for an integrated hydrogen-electric engine is disclosed. The system includes an elongated shaft of an integrated hydrogen-electric engine and a plurality of motors to drive the elongated shaft of the integrated hydrogen-electric engine. The system also includes at least one sensor to monitor a first torque of each motor of the plurality of motors and a computer with a memory and one or more processors. The one or more processors receive from the sensor, a first set of torque data for the first torque of each motor of the plurality of motors, utilize the first set of torque data to determine an overall efficiency of the plurality of motors, and selectively idle at least one motor of the plurality of motors based on a result of the determination.

Abstract: A system and method for predictive fuel cell management system for an integrated hydrogen-electric engine is disclosed. The system includes a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells and a computer having a memory and one or more processors. The one or more processors configured to predict, during a first phase of energy demand on the integrated hydrogen-electric engine, an impending occurrence of a second phase of energy demand on the integrated hydrogen-electric engine, wherein the second phase of energy demand includes a predetermined energy demand; and generate a predetermined amount of energy from the plurality of fuel cells based on the predicted second phase of energy demand prior to starting the second phase of energy demand to improve energy efficiency and performance of the integrated hydrogen-electric engine.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamic optimization of system efficiency for an integrated hydrogen-electric engine is disclosed. The system includes an elongated shaft of an integrated hydrogen-electric engine and a plurality of motors to drive the elongated shaft of the integrated hydrogen-electric engine. The system also includes at least one sensor to monitor a first torque of each motor of the plurality of motors and a computer with a memory and one or more processors. The one or more processors receive from the sensor, a first set of torque data for the first torque of each motor of the plurality of motors, utilize the first set of torque data to determine an overall efficiency of the plurality of motors, and selectively idle at least one motor of the plurality of motors based on a result of the determination.

Abstract: A method for jump-starting a hydrogen fuel cell-powered aircraft is disclosed. The method accesses a fuel cell stack containing latent oxygen therein. Accesses a hydrogen fuel source and provides hydrogen from the hydrogen fuel source into the fuel cell stack causing the hydrogen to mix with the latent oxygen in the fuel cell stack and generate a voltage. The voltage is then provided to a component of the hydrogen fuel cell-powered aircraft such that additional oxygen is introduced to the fuel stack.

Abstract: A refueling system for hydrogen fuel cell-powered aircraft is disclosed. The system includes a compressor to receive a source of low temperature, high pressure hydrogen gas and compress the low temperature, high pressure hydrogen gas into a higher temperature, higher pressure hydrogen gas. A compression chamber within the compressor to receive the higher temperature, higher pressure hydrogen gas from the compressor. A valve coupled with the compression chamber to reduce the pressure of the higher temperature, higher pressure hydrogen gas to a higher temperature, lower pressure hydrogen gas. A storage container on an aircraft to receive the higher temperature, lower pressure hydrogen gas via the pressure relief valve. A heat exchanger in thermal cooperation with the compression chamber, the heat exchanger configured to absorb heat from the compression chamber and convert the heat into storable energy.

Abstract: An aircraft includes a fuel cell-powered electric engine system configured to power the aircraft and produce water vapor exhaust, and an exhaust system configured to receive the water vapor exhaust, condense the water vapor into ice or water, and expel the ice or water from the aircraft such that water vapor cloud formation is inhibited. A method of powering an aircraft includes operating a fuel cell-powered electric engine system to power the aircraft, condensing water vapor exhaust of the fuel cell-powered electric engine system into ice or water, and expelling the ice or water from the aircraft such that water vapor cloud formation is inhibited.

Abstract: A hybrid hydrogen-electric and hydrogen turbine engine and system is disclosed. The hydrogen-electric system has an air inlet, a hydrogen fuel source, a fuel cell stack, and a motor assembly disposed in electrical communication with the fuel cell stack. The hydrogen turbine system has an air intake in fluid communication with the air inlet of the hydrogen-electric system, a combustion chamber in fluid communication with the air intake and the hydrogen fuel source of the hydrogen-electric system, the combustion chamber configured to mix air received from the air intake with hydrogen received from the hydrogen fuel source, and a turbine driven by energy received from the combustion chamber. The hydrogen-electric system and the hydrogen turbine system cooperate with one another to generate the output power of the hybrid hydrogen engine system.

Abstract: A multiple energy source management system for an integrated hydrogen-electric engine is disclosed, the system includes a first and a second energy source providing energy to the integrated hydrogen-electric engine. A pre-charge load to provide an energy demand to a selected energy source. A sensor monitoring a power output from the first and/or second energy source. A relay to switch between the first and second energy sources. A computer system to receive an output energy of the first energy source, determine if the output energy is below a threshold value, switch the relay from the first state to the third state for a predetermined period of time, based on the determination, pre-charge the second energy source by the pre-charge load; and switch the relay to the second state after the predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A system and method for predictive fuel cell management system for an integrated hydrogen-electric engine is disclosed. The system includes a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells and a computer having a memory and one or more processors. The one or more processors configured to predict, during a first phase of energy demand on the integrated hydrogen-electric engine, an impending occurrence of a second phase of energy demand on the integrated hydrogen-electric engine, wherein the second phase of energy demand includes a predetermined energy demand; and generate a predetermined amount of energy from the plurality of fuel cells based on the predicted second phase of energy demand prior to starting the second phase of energy demand to improve energy efficiency and performance of the integrated hydrogen-electric engine.