This disclosure generally relates to a hybrid solid-state propulsion system for aerial vehicles which includes a thermoelectric generator. The thermoelectric generator includes a first heat exchanger disposed within an exhaust duct of an unmanned aerial vehicle. The thermoelectric generator further includes a first ceramic layer disposed on the first heat exchanger and a first and second metal tab bonded to the first ceramic layer. The thermoelectric generator further includes a second metal tab bonded to a second ceramic layer. At least one N-type thermoelectric leg is disposed between the first metal tab bonded to the first ceramic layer and the metal tab bonded to the second ceramic layer. Further, at least one P-type thermoelectric leg is disposed between the second metal tab bonded to the first ceramic layer and the metal tab bonded to the second ceramic layer.

A control for a hybrid turbo electric aero-propulsion system prioritizes and optimizes the operating parameters, according to a desired optimization objective, for and across a number of different control optimization subsystems of the hybrid turbo electric aero-propulsion system. The control subsystems may include, for example, a propulsion control optimization subsystem and a power plant control optimization subsystem. The optimizations may be based on a system model, which is developed and updated during the operation of the hybrid turbo electric aero-propulsion system.

A hybrid propulsion unit for an aircraft with multi-rotor rotary wings includes an electrical generator driven by an internal combustion engine, a rectifier configured to convert an AC current sent by the electrical generator into DC current, a DC-AC converter, an electrical network connecting the rectifier to the converter and including a high-voltage DC current bus, electric motors powered by propeller converters coupled to the electric motors, electrical energy storage connected to the electrical network, the electrical storage including at least one primary storage element and at least one secondary storage element.

An example can include a pod detachably coupled to a hull. At least one thrust generator can be fixed to the pod. A power source can be mounted to the pod and slideable fore and aft. A power source actuator can be coupled between the pod and the power source to translate the location of the power source with respect to the pod. A sensor can be coupled to the pod to detect a pitch of the hull and provide a pitch signal. A controller can be coupled to one or more of the power source, the power source actuator, the first and second thrust generators and the sensor. The controller can maintain a pitch of the hull by translating the power source within the pod in association with the pitch signal.

A vertical take-off aircraft with a propulsion drive for generating a driving force being effective in a horizontal direction and with a lift drive for generating a lifting force being effective in a vertical direction includes a motor for providing mechanical energy for the propulsion drive and a first generator for providing electrical energy for the lift drive. Moreover, the aircraft includes an exhaust gas turbocharger for the motor with a first turbine being driven by an exhaust gas flow of the motor, wherein the first turbine is configured to provide mechanical energy for the propulsion drive.

An aircraft includes an internal combustion engine and an electrical power system. The electrical power system includes a permanent magnet machine and an inverter coupled to the permanent magnet machine. The permanent magnet machine includes a stator and a rotor configured to rotate relative to the stator.

An aircraft includes an internal combustion engine and an electrical power system. The electrical power system includes a permanent magnet machine and an inverter coupled to the permanent magnet machine. The permanent magnet machine includes a stator and a rotor configured to rotate relative to the stator.

A hybrid propulsion system for an aircraft comprising: an engine disposed within a fuselage of the aircraft, two electrical generators disposed within the fuselage and connected to the engine, and two nacelles. Each nacelle comprises a proprotor, and two electric motors connected to the proprotor. Each electrical generator is connected to the two electric motors in each nacelle. The proprotors provide lift for vertical takeoff and landing in a helicopter mode. A fan is coupled to the fuselage and connected to two additional electric motors. Each additional electric motor is connected to one of the two electric generators.

An example aircraft includes a parallel propulsion unit, the parallel propulsion unit comprising: a propulsor configured to provide forward propulsion of the aircraft; a gas turbine engine configured to drive the propulsor; an electrical machine configured to generate, for output via one or more electrical busses, electrical energy using mechanical energy derived from the gas turbine engine; and a power sharing module configured to control a ratio of the mechanical energy derived from the gas turbine engine used to drive the propulsor and used to generate electrical energy; and a plurality of series propulsion units, each series propulsion unit comprising a respective propulsor of a plurality of propulsors that are configured to provide forward propulsion of the aircraft and a respective electrical machine each configured to drive a respective propulsor of the plurality of propulsors using electrical energy received from one or more electrical busses.

A roadable VTOL flying vehicle having a road-configuration and a flight-configuration. The roadable VTOL flying vehicle includes a roadable vehicle; at least one rotor having at least one blade, the rotor is rotatably attached to an upper section of the roadable vehicle of the flying vehicle; at least one motor configured to operatively rotate the least at least one rotor; at least one angular position sensor configured to detect the angular position of each of the at least one rotor; and a vehicle control sub-system configured to affect automatic transformation of the flying vehicle from the road-configuration to the flight-configuration and from the flight-configuration to the road-configuration, wherein the vehicle control sub-system is configured bring the at least one rotor into a parking state, when in road-configuration.