Parallel hybrid propulsion system
AssigneeAmpaire, Inc.
InventorJeffrey Spitzer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for controlling flight via a parallel hybrid aircraft having an electric propulsion system and a combustion propulsion system are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may include: a combustion propulsion system including a combustion engine; an electric propulsion system including a motor and an electric power source, wherein the motor comprises a stator, a rotor coupled to the engine shaft, and support bearings between the rotor and the stator; a mechanical link coupled to the stator and the combustion engine, wherein the mechanical link substantially prevents movement of the stator in a rotational degree of freedom; and a propeller coupled to the engine shaft, wherein the rotor is coupled to the engine shaft between the propeller and the combustion engine.
Claims9
A parallel hybrid propulsion system for an aircraft, the parallel hybrid propulsion system comprising:
- a combustion propulsion system including a combustion engine, wherein the combustion engine comprises an engine shaft;
- an electric propulsion system including a motor and an electric power source, wherein the motor comprises a stator, a rotor coupled to the engine shaft, and support bearings between the rotor and the stator;
- a mechanical link coupled to the stator and the combustion engine, wherein the mechanical link substantially prevents movement of the stator in a rotational degree of freedom;
- and
- a propeller coupled to the engine shaft, wherein the rotor is coupled to the engine shaft between the propeller and the combustion engine;
- wherein the rotational degree of freedom is a rotation of the rotor with respect to the stator;
- and
- wherein the mechanical link allows movement of the stator relative to the combustion engine in degrees of freedom other than the rotational degree of freedom.
A method for controlling flight via a parallel hybrid aircraft having an electric propulsion system and a combustion propulsion system, the method comprising:
- initiating the electric propulsion system, which is independently operable from the combustion propulsion system and which includes a motor and an electric power source, wherein the motor comprises a stator, a rotor, and an engine shaft;
- initiating the combustion propulsion system, which is independently operable from the electric propulsion system and which includes a combustion engine;
- driving a propeller via a propeller-rotor shaft, wherein the propeller-rotor shaft is coupled to the engine shaft, wherein a mechanical link is coupled to the stator and the combustion engine;
- controlling both the electric propulsion system and the combustion propulsion system, which are independently operable, to provide propulsion and/or thrust;
- wherein the mechanical link substantially prevents movement of the stator in a rotational degree of freedom;
- wherein the rotational degree of freedom is a rotation of the rotor with respect to the stator;
- and
- wherein the mechanical link allows movement of the stator in degrees of freedom other than the rotational degree of freedom.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.