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 two-shaft gas turbine facility includes a two-shaft gas turbine, an induction motor connected to a compressor of the two-shaft gas turbine, a secondary battery, a first frequency converter that controls power transmission and reception between a power system and the induction motor, and a second frequency converter that controls charging and discharging of power between the secondary battery and the power system. A first control unit of a control device causes power transmission and reception to be performed between the induction motor and the power system by the first frequency converter if a required output change rate is higher than a maximum output change rate. A second control unit causes the secondary battery to be charged and discharged by the second frequency converter if power to be transmitted to and received from the induction motor has reached maximum allowable power.

A two-shaft gas turbine facility includes a two-shaft gas turbine, an induction motor connected to a compressor of the two-shaft gas turbine, a secondary battery, a first frequency converter that controls power transmission and reception between a power system and the induction motor, and a second frequency converter that controls charging and discharging of power between the secondary battery and the power system. A first control unit of a control device causes power transmission and reception to be performed between the induction motor and the power system by the first frequency converter if a required output change rate is higher than a maximum output change rate. A second control unit causes the secondary battery to be charged and discharged by the second frequency converter if power to be transmitted to and received from the induction motor has reached maximum allowable power.

A vehicle includes an inverter, a first battery, a first power line, a second battery, a second power line, and a voltage converter. Ranges of use with respect to open circuit voltages of the first battery and the second battery do not overlap each other, and ranges of use with respect to closed circuit voltages of the first and the second batteries overlap each other. When a regenerative power output from the inverter to the first power line is supplied to the second power line via the voltage converter, and the second battery is charged, an ECU calculates a maximum regenerative power with respect to the regenerative power output from the inverter to the first power line based on the open circuit voltage of the first battery and controls the inverter and the voltage converter such that the regenerative power does not exceed the maximum regenerative power.

A vehicle includes an inverter, a first battery, a first power line, a second battery, a second power line, and a voltage converter. Ranges of use with respect to open circuit voltages of the first battery and the second battery do not overlap each other, and ranges of use with respect to closed circuit voltages of the first and the second batteries overlap each other. When a regenerative power output from the inverter to the first power line is supplied to the second power line via the voltage converter, and the second battery is charged, an ECU calculates a maximum regenerative power with respect to the regenerative power output from the inverter to the first power line based on the open circuit voltage of the first battery and controls the inverter and the voltage converter such that the regenerative power does not exceed the maximum regenerative power.

Systems and methods of generating, storing and/or distributing electric power are disclosed. The system may include two or more direct current battery subsystems, a direct current motor/alternating current generator combination, an electric power distribution network, and battery recharging elements. One battery subsystem may power an alternating current generator while the other battery subsystem charges using a portion of the generated power. Excess power may service other electric loads. The roles of the battery subsystems may be switched periodically between charging and powering, repeatedly. A gear box may connect the electric motor and generator to adjust the relative rotational speeds of each for optimal performance of the system.

Systems and methods of generating, storing and/or distributing electric power are disclosed. The system may include two or more direct current battery subsystems, a direct current motor/alternating current generator combination, an electric power distribution network, and battery recharging elements. One battery subsystem may power an alternating current generator while the other battery subsystem charges using a portion of the generated power. Excess power may service other electric loads. The roles of the battery subsystems may be switched periodically between charging and powering, repeatedly. A gear box may connect the electric motor and generator to adjust the relative rotational speeds of each for optimal performance of the system.

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.