Torque ripple control for an aircraft power train
AssigneePratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
InventorEric LaTulipe
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method includes providing thrust to an aircraft through a power train from a heat engine connected to the power train. The method includes controlling an electric motor connected to the power train to counter torque ripple in the power train from the heat engine. A system includes a power train for providing thrust to an aircraft. A heat engine is connected to the power train. An electric motor is operatively connected to the power train. A controller is operatively connected to control the electric motor. The controller includes machine readable instructions configured to cause the controller to control the electric motor to counter torque ripple in the power train from the heat engine.
Claims18
A method comprising:
- providing thrust to an aircraft through a power train from a heat engine connected to the power train;
- controlling an electric motor connected to the power train to counter torque ripple in the power train from the heat engine;
- and
- detecting torque ripple and using feedback indicative of the torque ripple in the heat engine to control the electric motor, wherein a sensor operatively connected to a controller senses the torque ripple in the heat engine and controls the electric motor to counter the torque ripple with an active, closed control loop.
A system comprising:
- a power train for providing thrust to an aircraft;
- a heat engine connected to the power train;
- an electric motor operatively connected to the power train, wherein the power train further includes a combining gearbox, wherein each of the heat engine and electric motor connect to the combining gear box in parallel with one another, wherein the combining gearbox provides rotational power to a reduction gearbox;
- a controller operatively connected to control the electric motor wherein the controller includes machine readable instructions configured to cause the controller to:
- control the electric motor to counter torque ripple in the power train from the heat engine;
- and
- a sensor operatively connected to any one of the heat engine, the reduction gearbox, the power train and/or the combining gearbox and to the controller to sense torque ripple in the heat engine to generate feedback indicative of the torque ripple so the controller can control the electric motor to counter the torque ripple with an active, closed control loop.
A system comprising:
- a power train for providing thrust to an aircraft;
- a heat engine connected to the power train;
- an electric motor operatively connected to the power train, wherein the power train further includes a main reduction gearbox, wherein the heat engine and the electric motor are connected in series with one another and with the main reduction gearbox,
- a disconnect mechanism operatively connected between the electric motor and the heat engine configured to allow independent rotation of any one of the heat engine, the electric motor, and/or a reduction gearbox connected between the disconnect mechanism and the heat engine;
- a controller operatively connected to control the electric motor wherein the controller includes machine readable instructions configured to cause the controller to:
- control the electric motor to counter torque ripple in the power train from the heat engine;
- and
- a sensor operatively connected to any one of the heat engine, the reduction gearbox, the power train and/or the combining gearbox and to the controller to sense torque ripple in the heat engine to generate feedback indicative of the torque ripple so the controller can control the electric motor to counter the torque ripple with an active, closed control loop.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.