Patent ID: 7478525
Filing Date: 2009-01-20
Classification: F02K,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A system for reducing the infrared signature of an engine, the system comprising: an engine passage extending between an inlet end and an exhaust end and structured to receive at least one gas therethrough; a fuel source configured to supply a fuel for combustion in the engine passage; at least one combustion device in the engine passage configured to combust the fuel in the engine passage; a nozzle at the exhaust end of the engine passage structured to receive the gas from the engine passage and discharge the gas; an augmentor configured to receive fuel and to discharge the fuel into the engine passage for combustion at a longitudinal location between the at least one combustion device and the nozzle; a heat exchanger positioned outside the engine passage and configured to receive a flow of air and a flow of the fuel before the fuel is combusted, and transfer thermal energy from the air to the fuel to cool the air; and a turbocooler having a compressor and a turbine, the compressor of the turbocooler being configured to compress the air and provide the air to the heat exchanger, and the turbine configured to receive the air from the heat exchanger, expand and cool the air, and deliver the cooled air to the engine passage at an axial location proximate the augmentor, thereby cooling the nozzle and reducing the infrared signature of the engine.