Abstract: A method of providing a protective titanium layer to an outer surface of an aluminum component includes providing an aluminum component and forming a first layer of titanium-based bulk metallic glass on the component, wherein formation of the bulk metallic glass layer comprises depositing a titanium alloy powder using pulsed directed energy deposition.

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 for generating electrical power includes an electrochemical cell including a cathode and an anode separated by an electrolyte, a cathode fluid flow path in operative fluid communication with the cathode including a cathode-side inlet and a cathode-side outlet, and an anode fluid flow path in operative fluid communication with the anode including an anode-side inlet and an anode-side outlet. The system also includes: a reactant source in operative fluid communication with the anode-side inlet; an oxygen generator in operative fluid communication with the cathode-side inlet, including a combustible composition comprising a fuel and a salt that thermally decomposes to release oxygen; and an electrical connection between the electrochemical cell and a power sink.

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: Disclosed is an air cycle machine (ACM) having: a turbine; a compressor; a compressor shaft connected to the compressor and configured to receive rotational energy from a gearbox; and a turbine shaft connected to the turbine and configured to provide rotational energy to the gearbox; wherein the turbine shaft and the compressor shaft operate at different rotational speeds.

Abstract: An environmental control system includes a cooling circuit having at least one heat exchanger for cooling a first medium therein. At least one compressing device is operably coupled to the cooling circuit. The at least one compressing device includes a first compressor and a second compressor, wherein the first medium is provided to the first compressor and the second compressor in series, and a temperature of the first medium provided to an inlet of the second compressor is less than the temperature of the first medium at an outlet of the first compressor.

Abstract: A thermal management system for one or more aircraft components includes a bleed airflow source at a gas turbine engine of the aircraft, one or more turbines configured to expand the bleed airflow, thus lowering a temperature of the bleed airflow, the bleed airflow driving rotation of the one or more turbines. One or more heat exchangers are in fluid communication with the one or more turbines. The one or more heat exchangers are configured to exchange thermal energy between the bleed airflow and a thermal load. One or more electrical generators are operably connected to the one or more turbines. The one or more electrical generators are configured to convert rotational energy of the one or more turbines to electrical energy.

Abstract: A system including a passenger area of a vehicle, an air distribution system arranged in fluid communication with the passenger area, and a fluid movable through the air distribution system to the passenger area, the fluid having a cleaning agent entrained therein.

Abstract: A method of providing a protective titanium layer to an outer surface of an aluminum component includes providing an aluminum component and forming a first layer of titanium-based bulk metallic glass on the component, wherein formation of the bulk metallic glass layer comprises depositing a titanium alloy powder using pulsed directed energy deposition.

Abstract: A system for generating electrical power includes an electrochemical cell including a cathode and an anode separated by an electrolyte, a cathode fluid flow path in operative fluid communication with the cathode including a cathode-side inlet and a cathode-side outlet, and an anode fluid flow path in operative fluid communication with the anode including an anode-side inlet and an anode-side outlet. The system also includes: a reactant source in operative fluid communication with the anode-side inlet; an oxygen generator in operative fluid communication with the cathode-side inlet, including a combustible composition comprising a fuel and a salt that thermally decomposes to release oxygen; and an electrical connection between the electrochemical cell and a power sink.

Abstract: A heat exchanger cleaning arrangement includes a spray tube array configured to be attached to a heat exchanger. The spray tube array includes at least one tube, a plurality of nozzles, and a connector. The plurality of nozzles is configured to port pressurized fluid from the at least one tube toward the heat exchanger. The connector is in operable communication with the spray bar array and is configured such that a pressurized fluid source can be attached to the connector for porting fluid from the pressurized fluid source to the plurality of nozzles.

Abstract: A method of providing a protective titanium layer to an outer surface of an aluminum component includes providing an aluminum component and forming a first layer of titanium-based bulk metallic glass on the component, wherein formation of the bulk metallic glass layer comprises depositing a titanium alloy powder using pulsed directed energy deposition.

Abstract: An environmental control system of an aircraft includes a ram air circuit including a ram air shell having a heat exchanger positioned therein and a dehumidification system arranged in fluid communication with the ram air circuit. A plurality of expansion devices is arranged in fluid communication with the ram air circuit and the dehumidification system. At least one of the expansion devices is a simple cycle expansion device.

Abstract: A method of providing a protective titanium layer to an outer surface of an aluminum component includes providing an aluminum component and forming a first layer of titanium-based bulk metallic glass on the component, wherein formation of the bulk metallic glass layer comprises depositing a titanium alloy powder using pulsed directed energy deposition.

Abstract: A thermal management system for one or more aircraft components includes a bleed airflow source at a gas turbine engine of the aircraft, one or more turbines configured to expand the bleed airflow, thus lowering a temperature of the bleed airflow, the bleed airflow driving rotation of the one or more turbines. One or more heat exchangers are in fluid communication with the one or more turbines. The one or more heat exchangers are configured to exchange thermal energy between the bleed airflow and a thermal load. One or more electrical generators are operably connected to the one or more turbines. The one or more electrical generators are configured to convert rotational energy of the one or more turbines to electrical energy.

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: 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 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: 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.