Methods and systems for generating power and thermal management having dual loop architecture
Methods and apparatus for power generation and/or thermal management on a high speed flight vehicle include circulating a power generation loop working fluid through a power generation loop, which absorbs heat associated with the flight vehicle. A generator operably coupled to the power generation loop generates electrical power. Additionally, a heat transport loop working fluid may circulate through a heat transport loop to provide thermal management through heat transfer.
1. A method of providing cooling and/or generating power on board a flight vehicle using heated inlet air associated with the flight vehicle, the method comprising:
advancing the flight vehicle at a flight speed of at least Mach 3;
circulating a first working fluid through a first fluid loop including, in sequence:
compressing the first working fluid through a first compressor;
heating the first working fluid through an inlet air heat exchanger, the inlet air heat exchanger including an inlet air line fluidly communicating with the heated inlet air and a first air-to-loop line located in thermally coupled relation to the inlet air line;
expanding the first working fluid in a first thermal engine to generate a first work output from the first thermal engine;
cooling the first working fluid; and
recirculating the first working fluid to the first compressor;
circulating a second working fluid through a second fluid loop including, in sequence:
compressing the second working fluid through a second compressor;
heating the second working fluid through the inlet air heat exchanger, the inlet air heat exchanger including a second air-to-loop line;
expanding the second working fluid in a second thermal engine to generate a second work output from the second thermal engine;
cooling the second working fluid; and
recirculating the second working fluid to the second compressor.
2. The method of claim 1 , in which the first fluid loop comprises a power generation loop, and in which the method further comprises generating electric power by operably coupling the first work output of the first thermal engine to a generator.
3. The method of claim 1 , in which the first fluid loop comprises a heat transport loop, and in which the method further comprises operably coupling the first work output of the first thermal engine to the first compressor.
4. The method of claim 1 , in which the first fluid loop comprises a power generation loop and the second fluid loop comprises a heat transport loop, the method further comprising:
generating electric power by operably coupling the first work output of the first thermal engine of the power generation loop to a generator; and
operably coupling the second work output of the second thermal engine to the second compressor.
5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising powering an auxiliary load using the generator.
6. The method of claim 1 , in which the first working fluid comprises a first supercritical working fluid and the second working fluid comprises a second supercritical working fluid.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
rejecting heat from the first working fluid via a heat sink heat exchanger prior to recirculating the first working fluid to the first compressor; and
rejecting heat from the second working fluid via the heat sink heat exchanger prior to recirculating the second working fluid to the second compressor.