High Efficiency Flight Line Cooling & Power System

ABSTRACT:The objective of this program is to design and produce a commercial-like ground support aircraft cooling and 400 Hz power system that is made from predominantly commercial sub-systems, such as a commercially available (COTS) generator, engines, air conditioning components, blower, and trailer. The system would incorporate novel recirculation of the evaporator condensate to pre-cool the air flowing through the condenser coil. This technique is estimated to reduce the power consumption of the air conditioning unit by 9%. The system would also leverage advances in engine and generator control technology to realize dramatic reductions in fuel consumption. Energy Quest will produce a series of prototypes incrementally correcting and improving the product based on lab testing and field trials. Extensive field trials will reveal any flaws in the unit as well as ensuring the unit matches the aircraft needs. The final unit will be as energy efficient as possible while being designed for low production cost, reliability and maintainability.BENEFIT:The fuel consumption of the proposed system, which will replace the legacy -70 system, is projected to average 10.6 gallons/hour, compared to the existing -70 system, which uses 36.6 gal/hr, a 71% reduction in fuel use.