Patent · US Active

Wheel drive system for aircraft with a fuel cell as energy source

US8668165B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by

16References

6Claims

0Family size

Assignee

AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED · DE

Inventors

Thomas Rötger · Coppet, CH
Hans-Jürgen Heinrich · Bad Schwartau, DE
Jens-Dietrich Kurre · Kürten, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Jul 6, 2009
Grant date	Mar 11, 2014
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Jun 24, 2030

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY02T90/40
WIPO fieldTransport
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A wheel drive system for an aircraft that features at least one electric motor and at least one fuel cell as energy source for the electric motor, wherein the electric motor is coupleable to at least one wheel of at least one landing gear of the aircraft. The wheel drive system reduces the fuel consumption and lowers the emission of CO2 and pollutants—primarily carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons. Persons, vehicles and other aircraft furthermore are not endangered by a jet blast while the aircraft is taxiing because the main engines do not have to be started until the take-off and landing strip is reached. The operation of the wheel drive system furthermore leads to a reduced noise pollution.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.