Vertical lift by series hybrid-propulsion

A series hybrid-propulsion system comprising:

• a passively charged internal combustion engine operatively coupled with a fuel tank, the passively charged internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder comprising a combustion chamber, an intake engine valve, and an exhaust engine valve,
• wherein the intake engine valve and the exhaust engine valve are in fluid communication with the combustion chamber and configured, respectively, to selectively allow air in and out of the combustion chamber during operation,
• wherein the intake engine valve is controlled to provide an expansion ratio in the combustion chamber that is greater than a compression ratio in the combustion chamber;
• a generator operatively coupled with the passively charged internal combustion engine, wherein the generator is configured to generate AC power via a rotational engine force received from the passively charged internal combustion engine;
• a rectifier electrically coupled with the generator, wherein the rectifier converts AC power from the generator to DC power;
• a battery bank electrically coupled with the rectifier, the battery bank configured to store DC power from said rectifier;
• and
• a plurality of motors electrically coupled with the battery bank and the generator via an electronic speed controller (ESC) and configured to operate at a variable rotation per minute (RPM) while the passively charged internal combustion engine operates at a constant RPM.

A method for driving a hybrid-propulsion system comprising:

• operating a passively charged internal combustion engine operatively coupled with a fuel tank at a constant rotation per minute (RPM),
• wherein the passively charged internal combustion engine comprises at least one cylinder, a combustion chamber, an intake engine valve, and an exhaust engine valve, and
• wherein the intake engine valve and the exhaust engine valve are in fluid communication with the combustion chamber;
• selectively conveying air in and out of the combustion chamber in accordance with Miller cycle to provide an expansion ratio in the combustion chamber that is greater than a compression ratio in the combustion chamber;
• generating AC power via a rotational engine force received at a generator from the passively charged internal combustion engine, wherein the generator is operatively coupled with the passively charged internal combustion engine;
• converting AC power from the generator to DC power via a rectifier electrically coupled with the generator;
• storing DC power from said rectifier to a battery bank electrically coupled with the rectifier;
• and
• operating an electric motor at a variable RPM via an electronic speed controller (ESC) while the passively charged internal combustion engine operates at the constant RPM.