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 system and method for providing inerting gas to a protected space is disclosed. The system includes an air separation module that includes an air inlet, a membrane with a permeability differential between oxygen and nitrogen, a nitrogen-enriched air outlet, and an oxygen-enriched air outlet. The system also includes an air flow path between an air source and the air separation module inlet, and an inerting gas flow path between the air separation module nitrogen-enriched air outlet and the protected space.

Abstract: A gas inerting system employs a carbon dioxide separation unit to remove carbon dioxide and water from an oxygen depleted gas stream generated from a catalytic oxidation unit and subsequently provides a nitrogen rich inerting gas to a fuel tank and/or to a cargo hold. A method of producing an inert gas passes an oxygen depleted gas stream from a catalytic oxidation unit through a carbon dioxide separation unit and provides a nitrogen rich inerting gas for fuel tank inerting and/or cargo hold fire suppression.

Abstract: A battery thermal management system for an air vehicle includes a liquid heat exchange circuit, an air heat exchange circuit, and a liquid-air heat exchanger. The liquid-air heat exchanger is positioned on the liquid heat exchange circuit and the air heat exchange circuit to exchange heat therebetween. The system includes a coolant pump fluidically connected to the liquid heat exchange circuit, a flow restrictor positioned in the liquid heat exchange circuit, and a battery in thermal communication with the liquid heat exchange circuit. A method for controlling a thermal management system for an air vehicle includes sensing a temperature of a battery with a temperature sensor, varying a flow area of a flow path through a liquid heat exchange circuit with the flow restrictor if the temperature is below a pre-determined threshold, and operating a pump to provide heating to the battery if the temperature is below the pre-determined threshold.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for providing inerting gas to a protected space. The system includes an electrochemical cell comprising a cathode and an anode separated by a separator including a proton transfer medium. A supply of process water is provided to the anode, and inerting gas is produced at the cathode. A heat exchanger is in operative fluid and thermal communication with the process water, and a temperature sensor is in operative thermal communication with the cathode or the anode. A controller is configured to provide a target temperature of the temperature sensor through control of a flow rate of process water or a temperature of process water, or both a flow rate and a temperature of process water, through a process water thermal management flow path in operative thermal communication with the cathode or the anode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating inerting gas on vehicles are described. The systems include a proton exchange membrane (PEM) inerting system, a pure water supply system configured to provide pure water to the PEM inerting system, wherein the pure water supply system is in fluid communication with the PEM inerting system to replenish water lost during operation of the PEM inerting system, and a recapture loop configured to direct at least one of moisture and water from an output of the PEM inerting system back into the PEM inerting system, wherein the recapture loop includes a water treatment system.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for providing inerting gas to a protected space. The system includes an electrochemical cell comprising a cathode and an anode separated by a separator including a proton transfer medium. A supply of process water is provided to the anode, and inerting gas is produced at the cathode. A heat transfer fluid flow path is in operative thermal communication with the cathode or with the anode or with both the cathode and the anode, and in fluid isolation from the cathode and anode fluid flow paths, and a heat transfer fluid is flowing on the thermal management fluid flow path.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating inerting gas on vehicles are described. The systems include a proton exchange membrane (PEM) inerting system, a pure water replenishment system configured to provide pure water to the PEM inerting system, wherein the pure water replenishment system is in fluid communication with the PEM inerting system to replenish water lost during operation of the PEM inerting system, and a control system configured to control operation of the pure water replenishment system to automatically replenish pure water to the PEM inerting system.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for aircraft life support and generating inert gas. The system includes an electrochemical cell with a cathode and an anode separated by a proton transfer medium. A cathode supply fluid flow path is between an air source and a cathode fluid flow path inlet, and an inerting gas flow path is in operative fluid communication with a cathode fluid flow path outlet and a protected space. An anode supply fluid flow path is between a water source and an anode fluid flow path inlet, and an oxygen gas flow path is in operative fluid communication with an anode fluid flow path outlet and an aircraft occupant breathing device. An electrical connection is between a power source and the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Redundant electrochemical systems and methods for vehicles are described. The systems include a first electrochemical device located at a first position on the vehicle wherein the first electrochemical device is configured to generate at least one of inert gas, oxygen, and electrical power and a second electrochemical device located at a second position on the vehicle wherein the second electrochemical device is configured to generate at least one of inert gas, oxygen, and electrical power. The first electrochemical device is configured to operate in a first mode during normal operation of the vehicle and a second mode when the second electrochemical device fails, wherein in the second mode, the first electrochemical device provides the at least one of inert gas, oxygen, and electrical power for at least one vehicle critical system of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for providing inerting gas to a protected space. The system includes an electrochemical cell comprising a cathode and an anode separated by a separator comprising a proton transfer medium. The cathode receives air from an air source and discharges an inerting gas to the protected space. The anode receives process water and discharges oxygen and unreacted process water to a process water fluid flow path. The process water fluid flow path includes a liquid-gas separator, and the liquid-gas separator includes an inlet and a liquid outlet each in operative fluid communication with the process water fluid flow path, and a gas outlet that discharges gas removed from the process water fluid flow path.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating inerting gas on vehicles are described. The systems include a proton exchange membrane (PEM) inerting system and a pure water replenishment system configured to provide pure water to the PEM inerting system, wherein the pure water replenishment system is in fluid communication with the PEM inerting system to replenish water lost during operation of the PEM inerting system.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for treating a biologically active surface or material and inerting a protected space. Water is delivered to an anode of an electrochemical cell with the anode and a cathode separated by a proton transfer medium separator. A voltage difference is applied between the anode and the cathode to electrolyze water at the anode to form a mixture of protons and ozone. The protons are transferred across the separator to the cathode, and air is delivered to the cathode where oxygen is reduced to generate oxygen-depleted air, which is directed to the protected space. The ozone is transferred to an ozone storage or distribution system, and ozone is transferred from the ozone storage or distribution system to the biologically active surface or material.

Abstract: A system produces inert gas and generates electrical power with an electrochemical cell with an anode and a cathode separated by a proton transfer medium separator. The anode includes an oxygen evolution reaction catalyst and a hydrogen oxidation reaction catalyst, and the system is operated in alternate modes: a first mode in which water is electrolyzed at the anode with an oxygen evolution reaction catalyst to form protons and oxygen, the protons are transported across the separator to the cathode and reacted with oxygen at the cathode, and an inerting gas depleted of oxygen is discharged from the cathode; and a second mode in which protons and electrons are produced from a fuel at the anode with a hydrogen oxidation reaction catalyst, protons are transported across the separator to the cathode, and electrons are transported to the cathode through an electrical circuit to produce electrical power.

Abstract: A battery thermal management system for an air vehicle includes a liquid heat exchange circuit. The system includes at least one battery in thermal communication with the liquid heat exchange circuit. The system includes a controller operatively connected to the liquid heat exchange circuit. The controller is configured and adapted to variably select whether heat will be rejected to the liquid heat exchange circuit. The system includes at least one heat exchanger positioned on the liquid heat exchange circuit. The at least one heat exchanger is a liquid-air heat exchanger or a liquid-liquid heat exchanger. A method for controlling a thermal management system for an air vehicle includes determining an expected temperature of at least one battery, and cooling the at least one battery with a cooling device if the expected temperature exceeds a pre-determined expected temperature threshold.

Abstract: A battery thermal management system for an air vehicle includes a liquid heat exchange circuit, an air heat exchange circuit in selective fluid communication with ram air, a liquid-air heat exchanger positioned on the liquid heat exchange circuit and the air heat exchange circuit to exchange heat therebetween. The system includes at least one battery in thermal communication with the liquid heat exchange circuit. The at least one battery is configured to at least one of charge or discharge to heat the at least one battery above a pre-determined minimum battery temperature. A method for controlling a thermal management system for an air vehicle includes determining if at least one battery is within a thermal range of operation for heating. The method includes charging and/or discharging the at least one battery to heat the at least one battery if the at least one battery is within the thermal range of operation for heating.

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 inert gas generating system includes a source of a gaseous mixture, and a fuel separation unit configured to receive a portion of the gaseous mixture from the source. The fuel separation unit includes a reverse selective membrane configured to separate the gaseous mixture into a condensable gas portion and a permanent gas portion. The inert gas generating system further includes a catalytic oxidation unit configured to receive and react hydrocarbon vapors within the condensable gas portion to produce an inert gas.

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.