Patent classifications
B64D27/31
INVERTER CIRCUITS AND ELECTRICAL PROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR EVTOL AIRCRAFT
An electrical propulsion system includes an electrical motor configured to drive one or more propellers of the aircraft, a capacitor configured to stabilize a direct current (DC) bus voltage, a first inverter circuit coupled to the capacitor and configured to convert the DC bus voltage to alternate current (AC) voltages to drive a first set of stator windings of the electrical motor, in response to a first pulse width modulation (PWM) vector, and a second inverter circuit coupled to the capacitor and configured to convert the DC bus voltage to AC voltages to drive a second set of stator windings of the electrical motor, in response to a second PWM vector. The first PWM vector and the second PWM vector are substantially equal and opposite vectors.
INVERTER CIRCUITS AND ELECTRICAL PROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR EVTOL AIRCRAFT
An electrical propulsion system includes an electrical motor configured to drive one or more propellers of the aircraft, a capacitor configured to stabilize a direct current (DC) bus voltage, a first inverter circuit coupled to the capacitor and configured to convert the DC bus voltage to alternate current (AC) voltages to drive a first set of stator windings of the electrical motor, in response to a first pulse width modulation (PWM) vector, and a second inverter circuit coupled to the capacitor and configured to convert the DC bus voltage to AC voltages to drive a second set of stator windings of the electrical motor, in response to a second PWM vector. The first PWM vector and the second PWM vector are substantially equal and opposite vectors.
WING-MOUNTED MULTI-STAGE IONIC THRUSTER
A multi-stage ionic thruster includes a voltage supply, a frame of a wing, the frame defining a first axis between a leading edge of the wing and a trailing edge of the wing and a second axis between a root of the wing and a tip of the wing, and a plurality of ionic thrusters coupled to the frame and spaced apart from each other along the first axis.
WING-MOUNTED MULTI-STAGE IONIC THRUSTER
A multi-stage ionic thruster includes a voltage supply, a frame of a wing, the frame defining a first axis between a leading edge of the wing and a trailing edge of the wing and a second axis between a root of the wing and a tip of the wing, and a plurality of ionic thrusters coupled to the frame and spaced apart from each other along the first axis.
Electric fan and electric vertical takeoff/landing aircraft
An electric fan includes a boss part; an outer peripheral part around the boss part; a rotor blade between the boss part and the outer peripheral part and rotatably supported about the boss part; a drive unit on the outer peripheral part to rotate the rotor blade; and a stator vane on a downstream side of the rotor blade in a flowing direction of fluid between the boss part and the outer peripheral part. The stator vane includes main bodies spaced apart in a peripheral direction, and one of the main bodies that is in a region where an obstacle is disposed on a radially outside is provided with a guide part that guides fluid to an inner diameter side, on a leading edge part on an upstream side in the flowing direction of fluid or an end portion on a suction surface side, on the inner diameter side.
Electric fan and electric vertical takeoff/landing aircraft
An electric fan includes a boss part; an outer peripheral part around the boss part; a rotor blade between the boss part and the outer peripheral part and rotatably supported about the boss part; a drive unit on the outer peripheral part to rotate the rotor blade; and a stator vane on a downstream side of the rotor blade in a flowing direction of fluid between the boss part and the outer peripheral part. The stator vane includes main bodies spaced apart in a peripheral direction, and one of the main bodies that is in a region where an obstacle is disposed on a radially outside is provided with a guide part that guides fluid to an inner diameter side, on a leading edge part on an upstream side in the flowing direction of fluid or an end portion on a suction surface side, on the inner diameter side.
Hybrid propulsion for airborne craft
A craft comprises at least one hull, a main wing coupled to the hull and configured to facilitate airborne operations of the craft, a plurality of propellers that include one or more electric motor propellers and one or more combustion motor propellers arranged along each of a port side and a starboard side of the main wing and configured to generate lift on the craft by blowing air over the main wing, and a control system. The control system comprises data storage having instruction code stored thereon that, when executed by one or more processors of the control system, causes the control system to: after receiving a takeoff indication, increase thrust generated by the electric motor propellers to cause the craft to transition from a hull-borne mode of operation to an airborne mode of operation, and after a thrust adjustment condition occurs, increase thrust generated by the combustion motor propellers.
Hybrid propulsion for airborne craft
A craft comprises at least one hull, a main wing coupled to the hull and configured to facilitate airborne operations of the craft, a plurality of propellers that include one or more electric motor propellers and one or more combustion motor propellers arranged along each of a port side and a starboard side of the main wing and configured to generate lift on the craft by blowing air over the main wing, and a control system. The control system comprises data storage having instruction code stored thereon that, when executed by one or more processors of the control system, causes the control system to: after receiving a takeoff indication, increase thrust generated by the electric motor propellers to cause the craft to transition from a hull-borne mode of operation to an airborne mode of operation, and after a thrust adjustment condition occurs, increase thrust generated by the combustion motor propellers.
Hybrid power systems for different modes of flight
A first power source includes a high discharge rate battery and a second power source includes a high energy battery. An electronically activated switch switches between the first power source and the second power source in response to a control signal from a power controller. If the electronically activated switch fails, it fails with one of the first power source and the second power source in an open circuit position and with the other one of the first power source and the second power source in a closed circuit position. The power controller generates the control signal, including by: during a vertical landing associated with a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle, generating the control signal to switch from the high energy battery to the high discharge rate battery independent of a measured current.
Hybrid power systems for different modes of flight
A first power source includes a high discharge rate battery and a second power source includes a high energy battery. An electronically activated switch switches between the first power source and the second power source in response to a control signal from a power controller. If the electronically activated switch fails, it fails with one of the first power source and the second power source in an open circuit position and with the other one of the first power source and the second power source in a closed circuit position. The power controller generates the control signal, including by: during a vertical landing associated with a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle, generating the control signal to switch from the high energy battery to the high discharge rate battery independent of a measured current.