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.

A power unit structure for a vehicle includes a motor disposed in a power unit room of the vehicle and configured to transmit a driving force to drive wheels of the vehicle, an electric power converter disposed in the power unit room of the vehicle, and an electric power distributor disposed in the power unit room of the vehicle. The electric power converter is configured to convert supplied electric power into electric power to be supplied to the motor and is disposed on an upper side of the motor. The electric power distributor is configured to distribute electric power supplied from a power supply to the electric power converter and is disposed at a position where at least a part of the electric power distributor overlaps the electric power converter in an up-down direction of the vehicle when viewed from a vehicle front-rear direction or a vehicle width direction.

A power unit structure for a vehicle includes a motor disposed in a power unit room of the vehicle and configured to transmit a driving force to drive wheels of the vehicle, an electric power converter disposed in the power unit room of the vehicle, and an electric power distributor disposed in the power unit room of the vehicle. The electric power converter is configured to convert supplied electric power into electric power to be supplied to the motor and is disposed on an upper side of the motor. The electric power distributor is configured to distribute electric power supplied from a power supply to the electric power converter and is disposed at a position where at least a part of the electric power distributor overlaps the electric power converter in an up-down direction of the vehicle when viewed from a vehicle front-rear direction or a vehicle width direction.

A power unit structure for a vehicle includes a motor disposed in a power unit room of the vehicle and configured to transmit a driving force to drive wheels of the vehicle, an electric power converter disposed in the power unit room of the vehicle, and an electric power distributor disposed in the power unit room of the vehicle. The electric power converter is configured to convert supplied electric power into electric power to be supplied to the motor and is disposed on an upper side of the motor. The electric power distributor is configured to distribute electric power supplied from a power supply to the electric power converter and is disposed at a position where at least a part of the electric power distributor overlaps the electric power converter in an up-down direction of the vehicle when viewed from a vehicle front-rear direction or a vehicle width direction.

A power unit structure for a vehicle includes a motor disposed in a power unit room of the vehicle and configured to transmit a driving force to drive wheels of the vehicle, an electric power converter disposed in the power unit room of the vehicle, and an electric power distributor disposed in the power unit room of the vehicle. The electric power converter is configured to convert supplied electric power into electric power to be supplied to the motor and is disposed on an upper side of the motor. The electric power distributor is configured to distribute electric power supplied from a power supply to the electric power converter and is disposed at a position where at least a part of the electric power distributor overlaps the electric power converter in an up-down direction of the vehicle when viewed from a vehicle front-rear direction or a vehicle width direction.

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 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.

A powertrain system includes an electric motor for driving a vehicle; a battery; an internal combustion engine; an electric generator; a motor inverter connected in parallel to the battery, and converting DC electric power of the battery into AC electric power and supplying it to the electric motor; a generator inverter connected in parallel to the battery, and converting AC electric power generated by the electric generator into DC electric power and supplying it to the battery; and a control device. The control device is configured, where a charging rate of the battery is not greater than a first threshold value, and a ripple current that is generated in association with an operation of the motor inverter and flows into the battery is not less than a second threshold value, not to start up the internal combustion engine for electric power generation using the electric generator.

A powertrain system includes an electric motor for driving a vehicle; a battery; an internal combustion engine; an electric generator; a motor inverter connected in parallel to the battery, and converting DC electric power of the battery into AC electric power and supplying it to the electric motor; a generator inverter connected in parallel to the battery, and converting AC electric power generated by the electric generator into DC electric power and supplying it to the battery; and a control device. The control device is configured, where a charging rate of the battery is not greater than a first threshold value, and a ripple current that is generated in association with an operation of the motor inverter and flows into the battery is not less than a second threshold value, not to start up the internal combustion engine for electric power generation using the electric generator.