Patent ID: 11920512
Assignee: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.
Field: Engines, pumps, turbines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F  B  Y | IPC F

Claim 11:
12. A powerplant, comprising:
an engine configured to react a first reactant with a gaseous stream of second reactant to produce energy and an exhaust stream, the engine being configured for use in a range of ambient conditions, wherein the gaseous stream of second reactant is provided to the engine at a flow rate;
a compressor configured to pressurize the gaseous stream of second reactant supplied to the engine;
a turbine, wherein the compressor is driven in rotation by a driving force from the turbine, and wherein the turbine is propelled by the exhaust stream;
an afterburner in the exhaust stream intermediate the engine and the turbine, the afterburner being configured to react reactants in the exhaust stream; and
a control system configured to monitor a parameter of the group of parameters consisting of an altitude at which the engine is operating and a temperature at which the engine is operating;
wherein the control system is configured to restart the engine in at least some ambient conditions of the range of ambient conditions by controlling the operation of the afterburner to add energy to the turbine such that the compressor is driven at a speed that provides for the gaseous stream of second reactant to be provided to the engine at a flow rate at or above a threshold level that is dependent upon the monitored parameter.