A distributed electrical system includes a plurality of engine components each in electrical communication with one of a plurality of docking stations. An electronic engine control is positioned remote from the engine components and is configured to communicate wirelessly with each of the plurality of engine components.

There is provided a hybrid electric aircraft propulsion system and method for operating same. The method comprises providing, to a first electric motor and a second electric motor, alternating current (AC) electric power from a generator, the generator receiving rotational power from a thermal engine, providing, to the first electric motor and the second electric motor, AC electric power from at least one motor inverter, the at least one motor inverter configured to convert DC electric power from a DC power source into AC electric power, and selectively driving the first and second electric motors from the generator, the at least one motor inverter, or a combination thereof, wherein the first electric motor drives a first rotating propulsor and the second electric motor drives a second rotating propulsor.

An aircraft comprising a hybrid electric aircraft propulsion system. The system comprises a first sub-assembly having a first electric propulsor assembly and a first thermal propulsor assembly, the first thermal propulsor assembly having a first thermal engine, a first generator and a first rotating propulsor, the first electric propulsor assembly attached to the aircraft at a first location and the first thermal propulsor assembly attached to the aircraft at a second location. The system also comprises a second sub-assembly having a second electric propulsor assembly and a second thermal propulsor assembly, the second thermal propulsor assembly having a second thermal engine, a second generator and a second rotating propulsor, the second electric propulsor assembly attached to the aircraft at a third location and the second thermal propulsor assembly attached to the aircraft at a fourth location.

Methods and systems for operating a hybrid electric aircraft propulsion system mounted to an aircraft. The method comprises driving a first rotating propulsor from a first electric motor operatively connected to a generator, driving a second rotating propulsor from a second electric motor operatively connected to the generator, and driving a third rotating propulsor from a thermal engine, the thermal engine operatively connected to the generator and configured to drive the generator.

Methods and systems for operating a hybrid electric aircraft propulsion system. The method comprises providing alternating current (AC) electric power to a first electric motor to drive a first rotating propulsor, providing the first electric motor with AC electric power from at least one motor inverter operatively coupled to a direct current (DC) power source, detecting a failure in a path to the first electric motor, and selectively rearranging a first switching arrangement between the generator, the at least one motor inverter, and the first electric motor.

A cooling fan for an alternator. The cooling fan has a fan body and a plurality of fan blades extending from the fan body. A hinge is located where each one of the fan blades meets the fan body. The hinge allows the plurality of fan blades to pivot relative to the fan body. The degree of pivot is proportional to rotational speed of the fan body.

There is described a method and system for operating a hybrid electric aircraft propulsion system. The method comprises modulating AC electric power applied to a first electric propulsor or a second electric propulsor from at least one motor inverter to synchronize the frequency of the first electric propulsor or the second electric propulsor with the frequency of a generator.

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 power generation system having a permanent magnet generator and an electrical conversion system. The electrical conversion system can have an AC/DC converter and a DC/AC inverter. The AC/DC converter can be mounted on the permanent magnet generator within a common enclosure with the permanent magnet generator. One or more DC bus bars can transmit a DC current generated by the AC/DC converter to a second enclosure, which can have a DC/AC inverter to generate AC power.

A power generation system includes one or more micro-turbine electric generators (MTEGs). The MTEGs include a housing having an inlet for receiving pressurized gas and an outlet for releasing expanded gas. The MTEGs also include a rotor, a user-replaceable nozzle for directing pressurized gas over blades of the rotor, and a stator for generating alternating current (AC) responsive to rotation of the rotor. The power generation system also includes a programmable logic controller (PLC) coupled to the MTEGs that operates flow control valves (FCVs) coupled to the MTEGs to modulate the flow of gas to the MTEGs to generate output power suitable to support an electrical load. The system also includes power conversion circuitry configured to convert AC generated by the MTEGs to direct current (DC) and to provide the DC to an electrical load. The system also includes a skid for mounting multiple and MTEGs and FCVs.