Abstract
An electric drive system of a gyroplane (28) includes a support rotor (11), a primary engine (7) connected with a pusher propeller (8) for movement in air, and an electric motor (1) for movement on road. The primary engine (7) is connected by means of a mechanical gear to an alternator (6), which is coupled with a charger (5), which is further connected to a traction battery (3). The traction battery (3) is bi-directionally connected with a Battery Management System (4), and the traction battery (3) is further electrically connected with a regulator (2) and a control unit (9), the regulator (2) being further connected with the electric motor (1) mounted adjacent to a driven road wheel (12) which is driven by the electric motor (1).
Claims
1. An electric drive system of a gyroplane (28) comprising a support motor (11) and a primary engine (7) connected with a pusher propeller (8) for movement in air and an electric motor (1) for movement on the roads, characterized in that the primary engine (7) is connected by means of mechanical gear to an alternator (6), which is connected to a charger (5), which is connected to a traction battery (3), wherein the traction battery (3) is bi-directionally coupled with a battery management system (4), wherein the traction battery (3) is further electrically connected with a regulator (2) and a control unit (9), while the regulator (2) is further connected with the electric motor (1), mounted on a driven chassis wheel (12), which is driven by the electric motor.
2. The electric drive system of a gyroplane according to claim 1 characterized in that it has the primary engine (7) connected by means of a detachable coupling (30) with the pusher propeller (8).
3. The electric drive system of a gyroplane according to claim 1 characterized in that it has the alternator (6) power-rated identically with the electric motor (1).
4. The electric drive system of a gyroplane according to claim 1 characterized in that the electric motor (1) is arranged in a support structure (13), which is firmly connected with an axle (15), wherein the electric motor (1) is provided with a small pulley (17) and connected with the driven chassis wheel (12) by means of a belt (14) or chain.
5. The electric drive system of a gyroplane according to claim 1 characterized in that the electric motor (1) is arranged coaxially in a rim (23) of the driven chassis wheel (12), wherein a planetary gearbox (22) is further arranged in the rim (23).
6. The electric drive system of a gyroplane according to claim 1 or characterized in that the electric motor (1) and the driven wheel (12) are arranged in a casing (18).
7. The electric drive system of a gyroplane according to claim 1 characterized in that the control unit (9) is provided with WiFi or Bluetooth wireless communication technology, wherein these technologies may be combined.
8. The electric drive system of a gyroplane according to claim 4 characterized in that the electric motor (1) and the driven wheel (12) are arranged in a casing (18).
9. The electric drive system of a gyroplane according to claim 5 characterized in that the electric motor (1) and the driven wheel (12) are arranged in a casing (18).
Description
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0022] The invention will be further described by means of drawings, in which
[0023] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the electric drive system of a gyroplane comprising the electric motor located outside the axis of the wheels and driving the front chassis wheel,
[0024] FIG. 2 schematically illustrated the electric drive system for a gyroplane comprising the electric motor arranged outside the axis of the wheels and driving the rear chassis wheel,
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrated a detail of the electric drive consisting of the electric motor mounted on the support structure and gears,
[0026] FIG. 4 illustrated a detail of the casing of the driven chassis wheel,
[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates the coaxial arrangement of the electric motor in the front chassis wheel,
[0028] FIG. 6 illustrates the coaxial arrangement of the electric motor in the rear chassis wheel,
[0029] FIG. 7 illustrates a detail of the electric motor embodiment, which is arranged on the common axis with the chassis wheel,
[0030] FIG. 8 illustrates the casing of the chassis wheel with the electric motor on the common axis with the chassis wheel,
[0031] FIG. 9 illustrates the electric motor, which is arranged in the rim and on the shaft of the front chassis wheel, wherein the transfer of the torque from the electric motor on the driven travelling wheel is realized by means of planetary gearbox,
[0032] FIG. 10 illustrates the electric motor, which is arranged in the rim of the rear chassis wheel, wherein the transfer of the torque from the electric motor on the driven travelling wheel is realized by means of planetary gearbox,
[0033] FIG. 11 illustrates a detail of the arrangement of the electric motor with the planetary gearbox in the rim of the chassis wheel,
[0034] FIG. 12 illustrates the detail of the arrangement of the planetary gearbox and the electric motor in the chassis wheel and
[0035] FIG. 13a illustrates a block electric connection of the electric drive system of a gyroplane with a single-channel regulator;
[0036] FIG. 13b illustrates a block electric connection of the electric drive system of a gyroplane with a two-channel regulator;
[0037] FIG. 13c illustrates a block electric connection of the electric drive system of a gyroplane with four-channel regulator,
[0038] FIG. 13d illustrates a block electrical connection of the electric drive system of a gyroplane with a general connection for the regulator;
[0039] FIG. 14 illustrates connection alternatives of the driven travelling wheels with a single-channel regulator;
[0040] FIG. 15 illustrates connection alternatives of the driven travelling wheels with a pair of single-channel regulators;
[0041] FIG. 16 illustrates connection alternatives of the driven travelling wheels with one two-channel regulator;
[0042] FIG. 17 illustrates connection alternatives of the driven travelling wheels with four single-channel regulators;
[0043] FIG. 18 illustrates connection alternatives of the driven travelling wheels with two two-channel regulators;
[0044] FIG. 19 illustrates connection alternatives of the driven travelling wheels with one four-channel regulator;
[0045] FIG. 20 illustrates variants of the embodiment of the driven travelling wheels in the electric drive system of a gyroplane and
[0046] FIG. 21 illustrates an overview of possible variants of energy transfer from the electric motor to the driven travelling wheel.
DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
[0047] The invention will be further described in the following description of an exemplary embodiment of the electric drive system of a gyroplane with reference to the respective drawings. In the said drawings, the present invention is illustrated by means of an exemplary embodiment of the electric drive system for driving the driven travelling chassis wheels of the gyroplane. The examples provided in the description of the application are illustrative.
[0048] The electric drive system of a gyroplane 28 may be provided in three variants, which provide solution for transferring the traction energy from the electric motor 1 to the driven chassis wheel 12. In all three variants, the electric drive system of a gyroplane 28 comprises the primary engine 7, which is connected with the pusher propeller 8 for forward movement and further the electric motor 1 for movement on the roads. The gyroplane 28 is also provided with safety elements for movement on the roads.
[0049] The embodiment of the electric drive of the gyroplane 28, in which the electric motor 1 is arranged on the front or rear chassis wheel 29, is illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The electric drive for the gyroplane 28 comprises the primary engine 7 mechanically connected with the pusher propeller 8, which provides a take-off speed for the gyroplane 28, and further the electric motor 1 for movement on the ground. The primary engine 7, especially a combustion engine, is further connected with the pusher propeller 8 by means of a pulley or a drive belt. Further, the alternator 6, to which the battery 5 is attached, is built in the combustion engine. The battery 5 is connected to the traction battery 3, charging it during flight depending on the charging conditions. The alternator 6 uses the primary combustion engine 7 for its propulsion. The traction battery 3 is connected with the management system 4 of the traction battery 3, which provide safety during operation. The traction battery 3 provides electric energy for the regulator 2, which regulates the current density, which is identifiable/measurable as the overall electric current flowing in the particular conductor into the electric motor 1. The electric motor 1 subsequently forms regulated torque on the driven chassis wheel 12. The torque requirement is defined by a pilot to the regulator 2 pilot, by means of a control unit 9 of Pilot Interface type. The gyroplane is further provided with the lights 10 and safety elements, which are required for secure movement on the public roads, wherein all these elements are also controlled by means of the Pilot Interface type control unit 9.
[0050] Embodiment of the electric drive of the gyroplane 28, in which the electric motor 1 is arranged outside the driven chassis wheel 12, is illustrated in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the electric drive comprises the electric motor 1 arranged outside the axis of the shaft 19 of the driven wheel 12. The torque formed by the electric motor 1 is transferred through the belt 14 and the gear, being formed by small and large pulleys 17 and 16, wherein the large pulley 16 is arranged on the shaft 19 of the driven wheel 12, while the small gear wheel 18 is attached on the shaft of the electric motor 1.
[0051] Detail of the electric motor 1 arrangement outside the driven chassis wheel 12 is illustrated in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the electric motor 1 is arranged outside the axis of the shaft 19 of the driven chassis wheel 12, attached in the axle 15. The electric motor 1 is arranged in the support structure 13, which is firmly coupled with the axle 15. The torque is transferred from the electric motor 1 to the driven travelling wheel 12 by means of the gear and the belt 14, as it is described in the paragraph above. In this arrangement of the electric motor 1, the electric motor with higher nominal speeds than the nominal speeds of the driven chassis wheel 12 is used, wherein the speeds are reduced to the driven chassis wheel 12 by means of gear. Therefore, it might be concluded that during operation, the speeds of the electric motor 1 range between, for example, 0 and approximately 2500 rpm, wherein the speeds of the driven travelling wheel 12 range between 0 and approximately 500 rpm. This asymmetry is compensated by means of gear ratio determined by the difference of the radius of the pulleys. The rates of the driven wheel are defined by the maximum speed and its radius. The razes of the electric motor are determined by evaluation of various physical facts when selecting the motor.
[0052] Therefore, it is possible to use an electric motor with a lower weight. For increasing aerodynamics of the chassis, the driven travelling chassis wheel 12 as well as the electric motor 1 together with the support structure 13 housed in the casing 18, as it is illustrated in the FIG. 4.
[0053] Another variant of the electric drive system of a gyroplane 28 with direct drive, in which the electric motor 1 is arranged on the front or the rear chassis wheel 12, is illustrated in the FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. In this embodiment, the electric motor 1 is arranged on the shaft 19 of the driven chassis wheel 12.
[0054] A detail of the electric drive structure, wherein the electric motor 1, driving the driven chassis wheel 12 and being arranged on the common axis with the shaft 19 is illustrated in the FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. In this embodiment, the driven chassis wheel 12 comprises the rotor 21, which is a part of the hub of the driven wheel and the stator 20, which is a part of the rim 23 of the driven chassis wheel 12. Such electric motor 1 generates torque and moves the rim 23. The arrangement of the electric motor 1 on the axis of the shaft 19 of the driven chassis wheel 12 secures gear of 1:1. For increasing aerodynamics of the chassis, the driven chassis wheel 12 as well as the electric motor 1 provided with the casing 18, as it is illustrated in the FIG. 8.
[0055] Another variant of the electric drive of the gyroplane 28, in which the electric motor 1 is arranged on the front and the rear driven chassis wheel 12 with direct drive, is arranged in the FIG. 9 and the FIG. 10. In this embodiment of the electric drive, the driven chassis wheel 12 comprises the rotor 21, which is a part of the hub of the driven wheel 12 and the stator 20, which is a part of the rim 23 of the driven chassis wheel 12. The electric motor 1 is arranged on the axis of the shaft 19 of the driven chassis wheel 12. Transfer of the torque to the driven chassis wheel 12 is realized by means of the planetary gearbox 22. The planetary gearbox 22 secures the defined gear ratio as slow down. In this embodiment, the electric motor 1 with higher speeds than the speeds of the driven chassis wheel 12 is used, wherein by means of the slow down gear, the speeds are reduced to the driven chassis wheel 12. It thus possible to use the electric motor 1 with a lower weight.
[0056] As long as the electric motor provides the same performance with higher speeds, its weight will be lower, as majority of its components will be of smaller dimensions, such as the rotor, shaft, the gearbox, etc. In comparison to the solution of the direct drive, the resulting solutions of the high-speed motors have smaller weights even after including the weight of the reducing planetary gearbox.
[0057] A detail of the structure of the electric drive, in which the electric motor 1, which drives the driven chassis wheel 12 and which is arranged on the common axis with the shaft 19, is illustrated in the FIG. 11. In this embodiment, the driven chassis wheel 12 comprises the rim 23 with the tire 24. Inside the hub of the driven chassis wheel 12, the planetary gearbox 22 and the electric motor 1 are arranged. The electric motor 1 generates torque, which sets the planetary gearbox 22 in motion and increases the gear ratio between the electric motor 1 and the rim 23 of the driven chassis wheel 12. The electric drive further comprises temperature and speed sensors, which communicate with the regulator 2, which evaluates data and adjusts the electric current, which is identifiable/measurable as the overall electric current flowing between the particular conductors from the traction battery 3 into the electric motor 1.
[0058] The arrangement of the planetary gearbox 22 together with the driven chassis wheel 12 is illustrated in the FIG. 12. The driven chassis wheel 12 forms the rim 23 provided with a tyre 24. The rim 23 is firmly and rotatably connected with the axle 15. The electric motor 1, comprising the stator 20 and the rotor 21 is rotatably arranged in the hub of the driven chassis wheel 12. The planetary gearbox 22 consists of the central wheel 25 mounted on the hub, which is arranged on the shaft 19. The central ring 25 engages with the satellites 27. These satellites 27 further engage with the ring gear 26 arranged on the rim 23. The electric motor 1 has the rotor 21 firmly connected with the central ring 25.
[0059] For all variants of arrangement of the electric drive system of a gyroplane 28 the electric motor 1, which is arranged on the driven chassis wheels 12, and other components of the system are designed in the same manner. The particular variants of the electric drive system of a gyroplane allow to power or all gyroplane travelling wheels 12. For all these variants of the drive of travelling wheels 12, it is necessary to choose suitable connection of the regulators 2.
[0060] The FIG. 13d illustrates general connection of the regulators 2 in the electric drive system of a gyroplane, wherein the FIG. 13a illustrates connection of the single-channel regulator 2 in the electric drive system of a gyroplane for driving one travelling wheel 12. The FIG. 13b illustrates connection of the two-channel regulator 2 in the electric drive system of a gyroplane for driving two travelling wheels 12. The FIG. 13c illustrates connection of the four-channel regulator 2 in the electric drive system of a gyroplane for driving four travelling wheels 12.
[0061] The FIG. 14 illustrates possible variants of controlling one travelling wheel 12 by means of one single-channel regulator 2. The FIG. 15 illustrates possible variants of controlling two travelling wheels 12 by means of two single-channel regulators 2. The FIG. 16 illustrates possible variants of controlling two travelling wheels 12 by means of one two-channel regulator 2. The FIG. 17 illustrates possible variants of controlling four travelling wheels 12 by means of four single-channel regulators 2. The FIG. 18 illustrates possible variants of controlling four travelling wheels 12 by means of two two-channel regulators 2 and the FIG. 19 illustrates possible variants of controlling four travelling wheels 12 by means of one four-channel regulator 2. The FIG. 20 illustrates variants of the particular driven travelling wheels 12 in three-wheel and four-wheel gyroplane. An overview of variants of transferring the electric energy from the electric motor 1 to the driven travelling wheel 12, according to the embodiment type of the electric motor, as it is illustrated in the FIG. 21.
[0062] The electric drive system of a gyroplane according to the present invention allows performance of at least two functions, so called discontinuous or partially continuous operation.
[0063] For powering the electric motor 1, the discontinuous operation uses only the energy stored in the traction battery 3, which is able to store and transfer energy in kilowatt hour units, wherein the primary engine 7 does not need to be in operation. The operation time is limited by the amount of energy stored in the traction battery 3 and the driving style. The traction battery 3 is being recharged during the flight and the primary engine 7 is in operation, wherein the alternator 6 provides electric energy for the charger 5, charging the traction battery 3 in conjunction with the battery management system 4.
[0064] The continuous operation, as meant herein, uses mostly energy produced in real time by means of the primary engine 7 connected with the alternator 6 and power-rated identically to the primary engine 1, to power the electric motor 1. During continuous operation, there is no need to use the traction battery 3. The operation time is not limited, the electric drive is able to remain in operation as long as the primary engine 7. The electric drive system for a gyroplane in continuous operation allows legal movement on the road only provided that the pusher propeller 8 is disconnected from the primary motor 1. The disconnection of the pusher propeller 8 from the primary engine 7 may be realized by means of an ordinary detachable coupling 30. The detachable coupling 30 and its usage for mutual connection and disconnection of mechanical components is well-known and therefore it is not illustrated in the drawings in detail.
[0065] Continuous or discontinuous operation allows connection of the particular parts of the electric drive for a gyroplane according to the present invention, which is schematically illustrated in the FIG. 13a, FIG. 13b, FIG. 13c and FIG. 13d. The primary engine 7, especially a combustion engine, is mechanically connected to the alternator 6, which is further electrically connected with the charger 5. The charger 5 is further coupled to the traction battery 3, charging it during flight according to the pilot's settings, using the energy from primary combustion engine 7. The traction battery 3 is further connected with the battery management system 4, which provides safety during its operation. The traction battery 3 is further electrically connected to the regulator 2, which communicates bi-directionally with the control unit Pilot Interface type control unit 9. The regulator 2 is further coupled to the electric motor 1 and regulates its operation according to the requirements of the Pilot Interface type control unit 9.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0066] Technical solution of an electric drive for gyroplanes is intended for legal movement of the gyroplane on the road.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0067] 1electric motor [0068] 2regulator [0069] 3traction battery [0070] 4Battery Management System [0071] 5charger [0072] 6alternator [0073] 7primary motor [0074] 8pusher propeller [0075] 9Pilot Interface control unit [0076] 10lights [0077] 11support rotor [0078] 12driven chassis wheel [0079] 13support structure [0080] 14pulley [0081] 15axle [0082] 16large pulley [0083] 17small pulley [0084] 18casing [0085] 19shaft [0086] 20motor stator [0087] 21motor rotor [0088] 22planetary gearbox [0089] 23rim [0090] 24tire [0091] 25central ring [0092] 26gear ring [0093] 27satellite [0094] 28gyroplane [0095] 29chassis wheel [0096] 30detachable coupling
