A hybrid electric propulsion system includes a gas turbine engine having at least one compressor section and at least one turbine section operably coupled to a shaft. The hybrid electric propulsion system includes an electric motor configured to augment rotational power of the shaft of the gas turbine engine. A controller is operable to determine an estimate of hybrid electric propulsion system parameters based on a composite system model and sensor data, determine a model predictive control state and a prediction based on the hybrid electric propulsion system parameters and the composite system model, determine a model predictive control optimization for a plurality of hybrid electric system control effectors based on the model predictive control state and the prediction using a plurality of reduced-order partitions of the composite system model, and actuate the hybrid electric system control effectors based on the model predictive control optimization.

A method for operation of a hybrid propulsion system is provided that includes providing a hybrid propulsion system including a gas turbine engine, an electrical system, and a controller configured to cause the gas turbine engine to produce a first mechanical power output and to cause the electrical system to produce a second mechanical power output. The method further includes causing the gas turbine engine to produce the first mechanical power output and causing the electrical system to produce the second mechanical power output, which causes a drive shaft of the gas turbine engine to rotate. The method further includes decreasing production of the first mechanical power output when a combination of the first mechanical power output and the second mechanical power output for take-off or climb is a predetermined percentage of a predetermined parameter of the gas turbine engine.

A propulsion system for an aircraft includes an electric generator mechanically driven by a combustion engine, with the electric generator configured to generate alternating current electrical power. The propulsion system additionally includes a power bus electrically connected to the electric generator and configured to receive and transmit the alternating current electrical power generated by the electric generator. Additionally, the propulsion system includes, an electric propulsor assembly comprising an electric motor and a propulsor drivingly connected to the electric motor, the electric motor electrically coupled to the power bus for the receiving alternating current electrical power from the power bus.

Disclosed are aircraft configured to perform tethered and untethered flights as well as methods of operating such aircraft. During a tethered flight, the aircraft is connected to a power line using its connecting module. While tethered, the aircraft can receive electrical energy from the power line and use this energy for propulsion and/or storage. The aircraft comprises a propulsion module for providing vertical and horizontal thrusts. In some examples, the aircraft comprises a transport module. The transport module may be removably attached to the propulsion module and be replaceable with another transportation module. During an untethered flight, the electrical energy is supplied to the propulsion module from a battery and/or a generator on board of the aircraft. The untethered flight capability can be used for landing and takeoff, flying away from power lines or when the power line is not operational, and other like examples.

An aircraft includes a fuselage; a wing coupled to, and extending from, the fuselage; and a hybrid-electric propulsion system. The hybrid-electric propulsion system includes a power source including a combustion engine and an electric generator; a plurality of vertical thrust electric fans integrated into the wing and oriented to generate thrust along the vertical direction, the plurality of vertical thrust electric fans arranged along a length of the wing and driven by the power source; and a forward thrust propulsor. The forward thrust propulsor it is selectively or permanently mechanically coupled to the combustion engine.

A propulsion system for an aircraft includes a propulsor; a turbomachine mechanically coupled to the propulsor for driving the propulsor during a combustion operating mode of the propulsion system and mechanically decoupled from the propulsor during an electric operating mode of the propulsion system; and an electrical power source. The propulsion system further includes an electric machine, the electric machine being electrically coupled to the electrical power source and mechanically coupled to the propulsor during the electric operating mode of the propulsion system such that the electric machine drives the propulsor during the electric operating mode of the propulsion system.

An electric machine is provided which includes a rotor disk extending along a radial direction and having a rotor flange attached to or formed integrally with the rotor disk and extending substantially along the axial direction. A plurality of rotor magnets are mounted on the rotor disk and supported by the rotor flange such that the rotor flange absorbs centrifugal loads exerted on the magnets and enables high speeds of operation.

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.

An aircraft propulsor assembly includes a fan having a nacelle and plural fan blades radially disposed within the nacelle. The fan blades are configured to be rotated by torque generated by a turbine engine of an aircraft to generate thrust for propelling the aircraft. The assembly also includes an electric motor including a stator in the nacelle of the fan and a rotor in tips of two or more of the fan blades. The electric motor is configured to generate torque that also rotates the fan blades to generate thrust for propelling the aircraft. The assembly also includes a controller configured to reduce or prevent an increase in an operating temperature of the turbine engine of the aircraft by automatically supplanting at least some of the torque generated by the turbine engine with the torque generated by the electric motor.

A control system for a hybrid electric powerplant of an aircraft can include a master controller configured to receive one or more power settings and to output a heat engine setting and an electric motor setting and a heat engine controller operatively connected to the master controller. The heat engine controller can be configured to receive the heat engine setting and to control a heat engine system as a function of the heat engine setting to control torque output by a heat engine. The system can include an electric motor controller operatively connected to the master controller. The electric motor controller configured to receive the electric motor engine setting and to control an electric motor system as a function of the electric motor setting to control torque output by an electric motor. The master controller can include a protection control module configured to provide one or more protection commands to directly control one or more heat engine protection systems and one or more electric motor protection systems.