Patent classifications
B64D2027/026
Electric machine and hybrid electric aircraft
An electric machine includes at least one stator having at least one individual-tooth winding carrier that has at least one spacer configured to space apart turns of an individual-tooth winding mounted on the individual-tooth winding carrier. A hybrid electric aircraft has an electric machine of this kind.
Turbomachine with electric machine comprising a rotor ring attached to the fan
An aircraft turbomachine, including a fan that is able to rotate inside a casing, and an electric machine including a rotor secured to the fan and a stator secured to the casing, wherein the rotor of the electric machine includes a ring that is able to rotate inside the stator, which is linked by arms to a cone mounted upstream from the fan.
Aircraft with thermal energy storage system for multiple heat loads
A thermal energy system for use with an aircraft includes a cooling loop and a cooler. The cooling loop includes a fluid conduit and a pump configured to move fluid through the fluid conduit to transfer heat from a heat source to the fluid in the fluid conduit to cool the heat source. The cooler includes an air-stream heat exchanger located in a duct and is in thermal communication with the fluid conduit to transfer heat between the fluid in the cooling loop and the air passing through the duct.
CLEAN FUEL ELECTRIC MULTIROTOR AIRCRAFT FOR PERSONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION AND MANNED OR UNMANNED OPERATION
Methods and systems for a full-scale vertical takeoff and landing manned or unmanned aircraft, having an all-electric, low-emission or zero-emission lift and propulsion system, an integrated ‘highway in the sky’ avionics system for navigation and guidance, a tablet-based motion command, or mission planning system to provide the operator with drive-by-wire style direction control, and automatic on-board-capability to provide traffic awareness, weather display and collision avoidance. Automatic computer monitoring by a programmed triple-redundant digital autopilot computer controls each motor-controller and motor to produce pitch, bank, yaw and elevation, while simultaneously restricting the flight regime that the pilot can command, to protect the pilot from inadvertent potentially harmful acts that might lead to loss of control or loss of vehicle stability. By using the results of the state measurements to inform motor control commands, the methods and systems contribute to the operational simplicity, reliability and safety of the vehicle.
Aircraft having a Versatile Propulsion System
An aircraft having a vertical takeoff and landing fight mode and a forward flight mode. The aircraft includes an airframe and a versatile propulsion system attached to the airframe. The versatile propulsion system includes a plurality of propulsion assemblies. A flight control system is operable to independently control the propulsion assemblies. The propulsion assemblies are interchangeably attachable to the airframe such that the aircraft has a liquid fuel flight mode and an electric flight mode. In the liquid fuel flight mode, energy is provided to each of the propulsion assemblies from a liquid fuel. In the electric flight mode, energy is provided to each of the propulsion assemblies from an electric power source.
MICRO HYBRID GENERATOR SYSTEM DRONE
An unmanned aerial vehicle comprising at least one rotor motor. The rotor motor is powered by a micro hybrid generation system. The micro hybrid generator system comprises a rechargeable battery configured to provide power to the at least one rotor motor, a small engine configured to generate mechanical power, a generator motor coupled to the small engine and configured to generate AC power using the mechanical power generated by the small engine, a bridge rectifier configured to convert the AC power generated by the generator motor to DC power and provide the DC power to either or both the rechargeable battery and the at least one rotor motor, and an electronic control unit configured to control a throttle of the small engine based, at least in part, on a power demand of at least one load, the at least one load including the at least one rotor motor.
Failsafe multimode clutch assemblies for rotorcraft
A failsafe multimode clutch assembly positioned in a powertrain of a rotorcraft. The clutch assembly includes a freewheeling having a driving mode in which torque applied to the input race is transferred to the output race and an overrunning mode in which torque applied to the output race is not transferred to the input race. A bypass assembly has an engaged position that couples the input and output races of the freewheeling unit. An actuator assembly uses pressurized lubricating oil to shift the bypass assembly between the engaged position and a disengaged position. A lock assembly enables and disables actuation of the bypass assembly. In the disengaged position, the overrunning mode of the freewheeling unit enables a unidirectional torque transfer mode of the clutch assembly. In the engaged position, the overrunning mode of the freewheeling unit is disabled such that the clutch assembly is configured for bidirectional torque transfer.
Multimode clutch assemblies having engagement status sensors
A multimode clutch assembly is positioned in a powertrain of a rotorcraft. The clutch assembly includes a freewheeling unit having a driving mode in which torque applied to the input race is transferred to the output race and an overrunning mode in which torque applied to the output race is not transferred to the input race. A bypass assembly has an engaged position that couples the input and output races of the freewheeling unit. An actuator assembly shifts the bypass assembly between engaged and disengaged positions. An engagement status sensor is configured to determine the engagement status of the bypass assembly. In the disengaged position, the overrunning mode of the freewheeling unit is enabled such that the clutch assembly is configured for unidirectional torque transfer. In the engaged position, the overrunning mode of the freewheeling unit is disabled such that the clutch assembly is configured for bidirectional torque transfer.
HELICOPTER HYBRID ENGINE SYSTEM
A helicopter may include a hybrid engine system including an internal combustion engine (e.g., a turbine engine) and an electric engine. The internal combustion engine and the electric engine being coupled to the rotor system and configured to separately or collectively operate the rotor system in response to a triggering event. In one aspect, a method for operating a rotor system of a helicopter may include receiving an indicator of a triggering event and actuating a non-active engine, one of the internal combustion engine or the electric engine, in response to receiving the triggering event.
Twin-engine system with electric drive
A twin-engine system includes a gas turbine engine comprising a core and a first output shaft drivable by the core. An electric engine has an electric motor configured to drive a second output shaft. A reduction gear box (RGB) has an RGB input drivingly engaged to both the first output shaft and the second output shaft. The RGB has an RGB output to provide rotational output to a rotatable load.