An aircraft provided with a power plant provided with at least one combustion engine mechanically connected to a drive system, the drive system comprising two electric machines each connected to the combustion engine by a kinematic chain, the two electric machines being electrically connected to at least one electrical power source. The aircraft comprises a management system controlling at least a mechanical power or an engine torque delivered by each of the two electric machines as a function of a current operating mode, the management system being configured, during a superior operating mode, to control the two electric machines in order for the two electric machines to deliver different and non-zero mechanical powers or engine torques.

A method includes controlling an electric motor of a hybrid-electric powerplant for an aircraft using an EPC (electric powertrain controller) and controlling a heat engine of the hybrid-electric powerplant using an ECU (engine control unit). The method includes performing at least one of the following to protect the hybrid-electric powerplant: using the ECU to power down the electric motor, and/or using the EPC to power down the heat engine.

A method includes controlling an electric motor of a hybrid-electric powerplant for an aircraft using an EPC (electric powertrain controller) and controlling a heat engine of the hybrid-electric powerplant using an ECU (engine control unit). The method includes performing at least one of the following to protect the hybrid-electric powerplant: using the ECU to power down the electric motor, and/or using the EPC to power down the heat engine.

The synchronous machine module includes a synchronous machine and a rotational speed controller for controlling a rotational speed of the synchronous machine, which rotational speed controller has a detector for detecting a variable which is formed by the effective power or is dependent thereon. The rotational speed controller is designed to set the rotational speed of the synchronous machine and/or the time profile thereof as a function of the detected variable and/or its time profile. The vehicle drive has such a synchronous machine module and a power generator, which in order to supply the synchronous machine module is connected thereto. The vehicle is, in particular, an aircraft and has such a vehicle drive and/or such a synchronous machine module.

The synchronous machine module includes a synchronous machine and a rotational speed controller for controlling a rotational speed of the synchronous machine, which rotational speed controller has a detector for detecting a variable which is formed by the effective power or is dependent thereon. The rotational speed controller is designed to set the rotational speed of the synchronous machine and/or the time profile thereof as a function of the detected variable and/or its time profile. The vehicle drive has such a synchronous machine module and a power generator, which in order to supply the synchronous machine module is connected thereto. The vehicle is, in particular, an aircraft and has such a vehicle drive and/or such a synchronous machine module.

A hybrid propulsion system for an aircraft is provided that includes a turbine engine, a first electric machine assembly connected to the turbine engine, a second electric machine assembly driven by the first electric machine assembly, and multiple third electric machine assemblies driven by the first electric machine assembly, wherein the multiple third electric machines provide a thrust output to propel the aircraft.

A system and method for operating a flying vehicle that includes a plurality of fan blades disposed on a first shaft. The shaft forms a rotor part of an electric motor. The shaft is coupled through a clutch assembly to a second shaft. The second shaft is coupled to a crankcase and to an internal combustion engine. The clutch assembly, motor and engine are all controlled by an on-board processor such that the processor controls the thrust provided by the fan blade by controlling operation of the motor and engine and clutch assembly. In operation the electric motor may be operated as a generator to recharge a power storage system. Moreover, a plurality of such hybrid-electric motors may be used to provide lift and propulsion for the flying vehicle.

A system and method for operating a flying vehicle that includes a plurality of fan blades disposed on a first shaft. The shaft forms a rotor part of an electric motor. The shaft is coupled through a clutch assembly to a second shaft. The second shaft is coupled to a crankcase and to an internal combustion engine. The clutch assembly, motor and engine are all controlled by an on-board processor such that the processor controls the thrust provided by the fan blade by controlling operation of the motor and engine and clutch assembly. In operation the electric motor may be operated as a generator to recharge a power storage system. Moreover, a plurality of such hybrid-electric motors may be used to provide lift and propulsion for the flying vehicle.

An internal combustion engine for an aircraft can include a crankshaft configured to drive a propeller; a camshaft coupled to the crankshaft; and an ignition controller coupled to the camshaft and including a visual indicator, the visual indicator configured to produce a visual signal at a predetermined angular position of the engine. An ignition controller for an internal combustion engine can include a housing and a P-lead connection extending from the housing, the ignition controller configured to selectively supply or cut main electrical power from the engine via the P-lead connection, the ignition controller also configured to selectively supply its own power.

An internal combustion engine for an aircraft can include a crankshaft configured to drive a propeller; a camshaft coupled to the crankshaft; and an ignition controller coupled to the camshaft and including a visual indicator, the visual indicator configured to produce a visual signal at a predetermined angular position of the engine. An ignition controller for an internal combustion engine can include a housing and a P-lead connection extending from the housing, the ignition controller configured to selectively supply or cut main electrical power from the engine via the P-lead connection, the ignition controller also configured to selectively supply its own power.