An apparatus is provided comprising a flywheel (112) for storing kinetic energy and an electrical machine (190) mechanically coupled to the flywheel and arranged for conversion between mechanical and electrical energy. The apparatus is arranged for transferring energy between the flywheel and a vehicle transmission via a variable ratio transmission (182). The electrical machine is coupled to the flywheel via a disconnect clutch which comprises a magnetic coupling (116).

An apparatus is provided comprising a flywheel (112) for storing kinetic energy and an electrical machine (190) mechanically coupled to the flywheel and arranged for conversion between mechanical and electrical energy. The apparatus is arranged for transferring energy between the flywheel and a vehicle transmission via a variable ratio transmission (182). The electrical machine is coupled to the flywheel via a disconnect clutch which comprises a magnetic coupling (116).

Alternator/starters and methods for providing electrical power to a vehicle and rotating an engine are disclosed. In one example, the alternator/starter provides a differential action whereby torque on an input side of the alternator may be maintained while speed of an output side of the alternator may be varied. The alternator/starter includes two armature windings and two field windings.

Control of alternator/starters for providing electrical power to a vehicle and rotating an engine is disclosed. In one example, the alternator/starter provides a differential action whereby torque on an input side of the alternator may be maintained while speed of an output side of the alternator may be varied. The alternator/starter includes two armature windings and two field windings.

A magnetically de-coupled, separately controlled, electric machine assembly including a radial and one or more axial electric machines, each with rotors mechanically coupled to and arranged to directly drive a single shaft. Each of the electric machines are independently, but cooperatively, controlled by an inverter unit that includes one or more inverters. The axial and radial electric machines are contained in a single housing.

A magnetically de-coupled, separately controlled, electric machine assembly including a radial and one or more axial electric machines, each with rotors mechanically coupled to and arranged to directly drive a single shaft. Each of the electric machines are independently, but cooperatively, controlled by an inverter unit that includes one or more inverters. The axial and radial electric machines are contained in a single housing.

A hybrid electric aircraft propulsion system and method of operation are described. The system comprises a thermal engine, a generator coupled to the thermal engine, a first electric propulsor operatively connected to the generator to receive alternating current (AC) electric power therefrom, a second electric propulsor, a generator inverter operatively connected to the generator to convert AC electric power to direct current (DC) electric power, and a first motor inverter operatively connected to the generator inverter and selectively connected to one of the first electric propulsor and the second electric propulsor and configured to receive the DC electric power and provide the first electric propulsor and the second electric propulsor with AC electric power, respectively.

A hybrid electric aircraft propulsion system and method of operation are described. The system comprises a thermal engine, a generator coupled to the thermal engine, a first electric propulsor operatively connected to the generator to receive alternating current (AC) electric power therefrom, a second electric propulsor, a generator inverter operatively connected to the generator to convert AC electric power to direct current (DC) electric power, and a first motor inverter operatively connected to the generator inverter and selectively connected to one of the first electric propulsor and the second electric propulsor and configured to receive the DC electric power and provide the first electric propulsor and the second electric propulsor with AC electric power, respectively.

An electromechanical drive system for a mechanical power load. The system includes an electric motor connectable to an electric power source, a first transmission connected at one side with a first end of the shaft of the electric motor and connectable at the other end with a load, an electric power generator, and a second transmission connected at one side with a second end of the shaft of the electric motor, which extends in a direction opposite to that of the first end of the shaft of the electric motor, and which is connected at the other side with the electric power generator, wherein the electric power generator is electrically connectable via a switch with a power source and the electric motor, such that the electric current from the power generator can be directed either to electric power source or to an electric motor, with which charging of the electric power source is achieved when a need of the load for mechanical power is reduced.

An electromechanical drive system for a mechanical power load. The system includes an electric motor connectable to an electric power source, a first transmission connected at one side with a first end of the shaft of the electric motor and connectable at the other end with a load, an electric power generator, and a second transmission connected at one side with a second end of the shaft of the electric motor, which extends in a direction opposite to that of the first end of the shaft of the electric motor, and which is connected at the other side with the electric power generator, wherein the electric power generator is electrically connectable via a switch with a power source and the electric motor, such that the electric current from the power generator can be directed either to electric power source or to an electric motor, with which charging of the electric power source is achieved when a need of the load for mechanical power is reduced.