AIRCRAFT, PROPULSION SYSTEM, AND SYSTEM FOR TAXIING AN AIRCRAFT

摘要

An aircraft propulsion system with a hybrid auxiliary power unit (APU) allows the aircraft to taxi without requiring the main engines be started. The hybrid APU is mechanically coupled to both a high pressure spool and a low pressure spool of a gas turbine engine. The hybrid APU includes an APU compressor and an APU turbine with a fuel cell located between the two. Pressurized air from the APU compressor is used as an oxidant by the fuel cell, along with fuel, to generate electrical power. Heated and pressurized air is discharged into the APU turbine. The hybrid APU can supply rotational power to both the high pressure spool and the low pressure spool.