Flight Works, Inc. — National Aeronautics and Space Administration SBIR Phase I: A1

Description

Flight Works is proposing to expand its family of affordable yet high performance/power-density aerospace pumps to liquid hydrogen and lead a team developing new technologies for the practical integration and use of liquid hydrogen in zero-emission aircraft. While EV-powered personal air vehicles are about to transform our city skies, the battery chemistry they use limits the range achievable for aircraft with that technology. Liquid hydrogen (LH2) offers the ability to achieve zero-emission aircraft for longer range applications like commercial transports. The drawbacks associated with hydrogen are very cold temperatures and low density. Technologies are needed to obtain practical, cost-effective components and systems to handle LH2 onboard an aircraft. Aircraft manufacturers have recognized the need and opportunities, and are investing to address the challenges.Pumps and associated fuel transfer system components are critical for an efficient onboard fuel management, whether it is for fuel transfer between tanks, supply to an internal combustion engine, or feed fuel cell electric drive engine. To be viable, a hydrogen-powered aircraft requires a product in-between existing ground-handling LH2 pumps and the exquisite pumps used in launch vehicles, with high quality in a compact package, yet at an affordable price. Furthermore, an optimum configuration must take into account system-level operational considerations. The proposed Ramp;D effort focuses on developing a liquid hydrogen (LH2) pump for in-flight cryogenic fuel distribution and developing concepts for its integration in an aircraft fuel system. During Phase II, the team will mature the design with prototype pump and associated system testing with liquid hydrogen.