IP Library › Granted Patent US 12680739
Granted Patent B2
US 12680739 · App. 18/731,105 · Granted Jul 14, 2026

Deicing and icing prevention system for advance cycle condensers

Inventor: Gregory M. Chere (Glastonbury, CT)
Assignee: RTX Corporation
F25B39/04F25B41/20F28F27/02F28F2250/06
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12680739
App. No.
18/731,105
Granted
Jul 14, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus includes a cryo-fuel tank, at least two heat exchangers, at least one valve, and a condenser. The cryo-fuel tank is configured to store cryo-fuel. The at least two heat exchangers are configured to reduce heat of a core flow through an engine, where the at least two heat exchangers have different heat transfer efficiencies. The at least one valve is configured to control the core flow between each of the at least two heat exchangers. The condenser is configured to exchange heat between the cryo-fuel and the core flow processed through the at least two heat exchangers.

Claims (58)

1 . An apparatus comprising:

a cryo-fuel tank configured to store cryo-fuel;

at least two heat exchangers configured to reduce heat of a core flow through an engine, wherein the at least two heat exchangers have different heat transfer efficiencies;

at least one valve configured to control the core flow between each of the at least two heat exchangers;

a condenser configured to exchange heat between the cryo-fuel and the core flow processed through the at least two heat exchangers; and

a bypass path configured to route the core flow to avoid the at least two heat exchangers, wherein the bypass path includes an additional heat exchanger with a lower efficiency than the at least two heat exchangers.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

the at least two heat exchangers comprise a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger; and

the at least one valve is configured to provide a first portion of the core flow to the first heat exchanger and a second portion of the core flow to the second heat exchanger.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one valve is able to completely divert the core flow to a less-efficient heat exchanger of the at least two heat exchangers.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a valve configured to control the core flow to the bypass path.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least two heat exchangers are arranged in order of decreasing efficiency.

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

the at least two heat exchangers comprise a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, and a third heat exchanger; and

the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and the third heat exchanger are arranged in order of decreasing heat transfer efficiency.

7 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the at least one valve comprises:

a first valve configured to control the core flow between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger; and

a second valve configured to control the core flow between the second heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger.

8 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the at least one valve comprises:

a first valve configured to control the core flow between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger; and

a second valve configured to control the core flow between the first heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger.

9 . An engine comprising:

a fan configured to generate a core flow;

at least one compressor configured to compress the core flow;

at least one turbine configured to extract work from the core flow;

a cryo-fuel tank configured to store cryo-fuel;

a first heat exchanger configured to reduce heat of the core flow passing through the at least one turbine;

a second heat exchanger configured to reduce heat of the core flow passing through the at least one turbine;

a third heat exchanger configured to reduce heat of the core flow passing through the at least one turbine;

at least one valve configured to control the core flow between each of the first, second and third heat exchangers, wherein the at least one valve comprises:

a first valve configured to control the core flow between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger;

a second valve configured to control the core flow between the second heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger; and

a condenser configured to exchange heat between the cryo-fuel and the core flow processed through the first, second and third heat exchangers.

10 . The engine of claim 9 , wherein:

the at least two heat exchangers comprise a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger; and

the at least one valve is able to provide a first portion of the core flow to the first heat exchanger and a second portion of the core flow to the second heat exchanger.

11 . The engine of claim 9 , wherein the at least one valve is able to completely divert the core flow to a less-efficient heat exchanger of the at least two heat exchangers.

12 . The engine of claim 9 , further comprising:

a bypass path configured to route the core flow to avoid the at least two heat exchangers.

13 . The engine of claim 12 , wherein the bypass path includes an additional heat exchanger with a lower efficiency than the at least two heat exchangers.

14 . The engine of claim 12 , further comprising:

a valve configured to control the core flow to the bypass path.

15 . The engine of claim 9 , wherein the at least two heat exchangers are arranged in order of decreasing efficiency.

16 . The engine of claim 9 , wherein:

the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and the third heat exchanger are arranged in order of decreasing heat transfer efficiency.

17 . The engine of claim 9 , wherein the at least one valve comprises:

a third valve configured to control the core flow between the first heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger.

18 . An apparatus comprising:

a cryo-fuel tank configured to store cryo-fuel;

at least three heat exchangers configured to reduce heat of a core flow through an engine, wherein the at least three heat exchangers have different heat transfer efficiencies;

at least one valve configured to control the core flow between each of the at least three heat exchangers, wherein the at least one valve comprises:

a first valve configured to control the core flow between a first pair heat exchangers;

a second valve configured to control the core flow between a second pair of heat exchangers; and

a condenser configured to exchange heat between the cryo-fuel and the core flow processed through the at least three heat exchangers.

19 . The engine of claim 18 , further comprising:

a bypass path configured to route the core flow to avoid the at least two heat exchangers.

20 . The engine of claim 19 , wherein the bypass path includes an additional heat exchanger with a lower efficiency than the at least two heat exchangers.