ZeroAvia granted patents for hydrogen-electric engine development

  
Image courtesy ZeroAvia

The company has now been granted a total of 45 patents related to hydrogen and electric aviation systems, with almost 250 applications, most of which are still going through the patent office pipelines.  
 
United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) no. 12,341,225 covers an integrated hydrogen-electric engine and is key to the development of a modular multi-MW hydrogen-electric engine for ATR and Dash 8 families of aircraft. The design concept relates to ZeroAvia’s ZA2000 engine for 40-80 seat regional turboprops and jets, with advanced and novel integration concepts creating a tightly packaged, power-dense zero-emission aircraft engine.  
 
Also important for scaling hydrogen-electric engines for large aircraft is the delivery of fuel cell systems with higher specific power. UK patent office GB2614450 covers novel coatings for aluminium bipolar plates for high temperature PEM (HTPEM) fuel cell systems, allowing the higher temperature operation with lightweight metals, while overcoming material degradation challenges.  
 
Other patents granted cover key innovations in cryogenic management systems, thermal management for fuel cell systems and fuel cell catalysts using platinum nanoparticles. One relates to a refueling system for hydrogen fuel cell-powered aircraft that enables both efficient refueling and employs a thermoelectric generator to leverage the heat from the refueling process to provide electricity for other aircraft systems.  
 
ZeroAvia’s granted patent portfolio now includes key coverage across all key subsystems of the engine and aspects of aircraft integration. With the addition of the robust set of trade secrets, especially in the areas of material innovations related to ZeroAvia’s unique HTPEM fuel cell systems, the company boasts one of the most advanced IP portfolios in hydrogen-electric aviation powertrain technology.  
 
With both Airbus and Boeing advancing plans and IP for hydrogen-ready airframes in recent weeks, securing IP on engine systems is a key building block for aspiring clean engine manufacturers for the aircraft of the future. Building a strong IP portfolio has been an integral part of ZeroAvia’s strategy since inception, with high-levels of in-house development of core systems enabling rapid progression through design gates and creating additional commercial opportunities beyond the primary commercial aero engine market.  

Val Miftakhov, Founder and CEO, ZeroAvia, said: “Recent patents filed and granted around hydrogen aviation give a window into an accelerating field of innovation. As we see the large airframe manufacturers beginning to compete on technologies for hydrogen aircraft, there is a big opportunity for companies pioneering hydrogen propulsion systems. These are the inventions that will deliver truly clean, more affordable and highly efficient commercial air travel.”