System and method for cooling a leading edge of a high speed vehicle
US11267551B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 15, 2019 |
| Grant date | Mar 8, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 17, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64D2033/024
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A hypersonic aircraft includes one or more leading edge assemblies that are designed to cool the leading edge of certain portions of the hypersonic aircraft that are exposed to high thermal loads, such as extremely high temperatures and/or thermal gradients. Specifically, the leading edge assemblies may include an outer wall tapered to a leading edge or stagnation point. A coolant supply may be in fluid communication with at least one fluid passageway that passes through the outer wall to deliver a flow of cooling fluid, such as liquid metal, to the stagnation point. The liquid metal vaporizes when the leading edge experiences a high heat load, thereby transpiration cooling the leading edge and/or facilitating a magnetohydrodynamic process for generating thrust or electricity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.