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.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, a method, system and apparatus for an aircraft may be shown and described. An exemplary embodiment may be an autonomous aircraft which can vertically takeoff and land (VTOL). The VTOL aircraft may have a modular pod which carries a removable payload. The entire VTOL aircraft may be portable. An exemplary embodiment may fit into a standard sized freight container. A propulsion system may be based on distributed electric propulsion. An exemplary embodiment may implement variable pitch propellers and collective pitch variation.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, a method, system and apparatus for an aircraft may be shown and described. An exemplary embodiment may be an autonomous aircraft which can vertically takeoff and land (VTOL). The VTOL aircraft may have a modular pod which carries a removable payload. The entire VTOL aircraft may be portable. An exemplary embodiment may fit into a standard sized freight container. A propulsion system may be based on distributed electric propulsion. An exemplary embodiment may implement variable pitch propellers and collective pitch variation.

An electric power supply is disclosed having high-voltage, direct-current (HVDC) circuitry comprising one or more DC pre-charge capacitors and one or more power transistor switches, the HVDC circuitry configured to receive high-voltage, direct-current (HVDC) input power of about 320 volts and/or greater and convert the HVDC input power to multi-phase, high-voltage, alternating-current (HVAC) output power of about 320 volts and/or greater; and low-voltage, direct current (LVDC) circuitry adapted and configured to operate on low-voltage, direct-current, wherein the LVDC circuitry is configured to control and monitor the multi-phase HVAC output power. The electric power supply is further configured to operate in reverse and convert received multiphase HVAC input power to HVDC output power.

An electric power supply is disclosed having high-voltage, direct-current (HVDC) circuitry comprising one or more DC pre-charge capacitors and one or more power transistor switches, the HVDC circuitry configured to receive high-voltage, direct-current (HVDC) input power of about 320 volts and/or greater and convert the HVDC input power to multi-phase, high-voltage, alternating-current (HVAC) output power of about 320 volts and/or greater; and low-voltage, direct current (LVDC) circuitry adapted and configured to operate on low-voltage, direct-current, wherein the LVDC circuitry is configured to control and monitor the multi-phase HVAC output power. The electric power supply is further configured to operate in reverse and convert received multiphase HVAC input power to HVDC output power.

A protection system for a classroom or other space to protect against a terrorist. The system includes a fixed control unit and a mobile control unit. The fixed control unit contains a hanger for drones to be launched against the terrorist. The fixed control unit also includes data storage units, a computer, a computer program and a memory, power storage units, a sighting laser for obtaining location information about the terrorist and an etching laser for marking the terrorist, an optics system for receiving visual information, and a telecommunication unit to send and receive information. The mobile control unit is worn by a protecting person in the space and includes some of the same components as the fixed control unit. It also has a local aiming system that includes for example a rifle type sight. The drone is a self-contained, self-propelled robotic flying vehicle that can be very small or even the size of a mouse. It has a mag-lev engine, electrical storage units and an aeronautically shaped body.

A protection system for a classroom or other space to protect against a terrorist. The system includes a fixed control unit and a mobile control unit. The fixed control unit contains a hanger for drones to be launched against the terrorist. The fixed control unit also includes data storage units, a computer, a computer program and a memory, power storage units, a sighting laser for obtaining location information about the terrorist and an etching laser for marking the terrorist, an optics system for receiving visual information, and a telecommunication unit to send and receive information. The mobile control unit is worn by a protecting person in the space and includes some of the same components as the fixed control unit. It also has a local aiming system that includes for example a rifle type sight. The drone is a self-contained, self-propelled robotic flying vehicle that can be very small or even the size of a mouse. It has a mag-lev engine, electrical storage units and an aeronautically shaped body.

A modular battery system provides propulsive power to the rotor system of an aircraft. The modular battery system includes an array of battery modules arranged in at least one stack. Each battery module includes a plurality of battery cells, a first side having positive and negative receptacles and a second side, that is opposite of the first side, having positive and negative plugs. The receptacles and plugs are configured such that adjacent battery modules in a side-by-side relationship are electrically coupled together via plug and receptacle connections and such that the battery modules are electrically coupled together in parallel. An interconnection electrically couples each stack of battery modules together via plug and receptacle connections with one of the battery modules in each stack such that the stacks of battery modules are electrically coupled together in parallel.

A modular battery system provides propulsive power to the rotor system of an aircraft. The modular battery system includes an array of battery modules arranged in at least one stack. Each battery module includes a plurality of battery cells, a first side having positive and negative receptacles and a second side, that is opposite of the first side, having positive and negative plugs. The receptacles and plugs are configured such that adjacent battery modules in a side-by-side relationship are electrically coupled together via plug and receptacle connections and such that the battery modules are electrically coupled together in parallel. An interconnection electrically couples each stack of battery modules together via plug and receptacle connections with one of the battery modules in each stack such that the stacks of battery modules are electrically coupled together in parallel.

A power distribution system 100 is installed in an aircraft, and comprises: a first DC power supply unit 10 including a generator 11; a second DC power source unit 20 including a battery 30, a step-up/down converter 41, a voltage sensor 43, and control unit 44; and a diode 50. When the voltage sensor 43 does not detect regenerative power, the control unit 44 executes a running power processing mode in which generated power generated by the first DC power supply unit 10 is supplied to an electric actuator 80 while charging and discharging the battery 30 using the step-up/down converter 41 so as to keep a charge rate A of the battery 30 within a predetermined range. When the voltage sensor 43 detects regenerative power, the control unit 44 executes a regenerative power processing mode in which the battery 30 is charged with the regenerative power using the step-up/down converter 41.