Patent ID: 6316841
Filing Date: 2001-11-13
Classification: F02C,F04D,F05D,Y02T

Abstract:
A method of providing environmental control and electric power for a vehicle carrying a stored energy device, an electric generator, and at least one gas turbine engine having a turbine and a compressor, the electric generator having a minimum operating speed required to generate acceptable electric power for the vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:normally expanding bleed air from said compressor of said at least one gas turbine engine to generate a) temperature conditioned, pressurized air for the environmental control of said vehicle, and b) rotational energy;driving said electric generator above said minimum speed with said rotational energy from said bleed air to provide electric power for the vehicle;in the absence of sufficient rotational energy from said bleed air, activating said stored energy device while said generator is still rotating above said minimum operating speed from said rotational energy; andmaintaining said generator above said minimum operating speed with rotational energy generated from said stored energy device to provide electric power for the vehicle.