# US 11,897,622 B2 · Propeller propulsion unit comprising a heat engine and an electric motor and aircraft comprising such a propeller propulsion unit > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,897,622 B2 - Document ID: US11897622B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/368,305 - Filed: 2019-03-28 - Published: 2019-10-03 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2018-03-30 - Assignees: Airbus Operations GmbH - Applicants: Airbus Operations SAS - Inventors: Patrick Lieven; Jérôme Colmagro - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11897622B2 ## CPC - B64D 27/12: within, or attached to, wings - B64D 27/31: within, or attached to, wings - B64D 27/33: Hybrid electric aircraft - B64D 35/024: of series type - F01D 15/10: Adaptations for driving, or combinations with, electric generators - F02C 6/00: Plural gas-turbine plants; Combinations of gas-turbine plants with other apparatus; Adaptations of gas-turbine plants for special use - B64D 27/026: {comprising different types of power plants, e.g. combination of a piston engine and a gas-turbine (Hybrid electric aircraft B64D27/33)} - F05D 2220/323: for aircraft propulsion, e.g. jet engines - F05D 2220/76: an electrical generator - Y02T 50/40: Weight reduction - Y02T 50/60: Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft - B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT - F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D) - F02C: GAS-TURBINE PLANTS; AIR INTAKES FOR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS; CONTROLLING FUEL SUPPLY IN AIR-BREATHING JET-PROPULSION PLANTS (construction of turbines F01D; jet-propulsion plants F02K; construction of compressors or fans F04; generating combustion products of high pressure or high velocity F23R; using gas turbines in compression refrigeration plants F25B11/00) - F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION ## Abstract A propeller propulsion unit, comprising at least one kinematic system comprising at least: a heat engine, an electrical energy generator, an electric motor configured to generate a rotary movement as output from the electrical energy generated by the electrical energy generator, a drive and selection device configured to assume a first configuration, in which it is coupled to the output of the electric motor, and a second configuration, in which it is coupled to the main shaft of the heat engine, and a propeller rotated by the drive and selection device. Such a propeller propulsion unit with a hybrid engine allows more power to be provided and facilitates maintenance and ergonomics and is safer. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A propeller propulsion unit, comprising at least one kinematic system comprising: a heat engine consuming fuel; a main shaft rotated at an output of the heat engine; an electrical energy generator configured to generate electrical energy from the rotation of the main shaft; an electric motor configured to generate a rotary movement as output from the electrical energy generated by the electrical energy generator; a coupling element comprising a toothed gear and a shaft; and a propeller rotated by the coupling element, wherein the at least one kinematic system selectively assumes one of a first configuration or a second configuration at a given time, wherein the toothed gear of the coupling element is movable through translational movement between a position in which the toothed gear is coupled to a toothed gear attached to the main shaft of the heat engine and a position in which the toothed gear of the coupling element is coupled to a toothed gear of the electric motor, wherein, in the first configuration, the coupling element is coupled to and driven by a rotational output of the electric motor, wherein, in the second configuration, the coupling element is coupled to and driven by a rotation of the main shaft. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The propeller propulsion unit according to claim 1, wherein the heat engine consuming fuel is an internal combustion heat engine. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The propeller propulsion unit according to claim 2, wherein the internal combustion heat engine is a gas turbine. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The propeller propulsion unit according to claim 2, wherein the internal combustion heat engine is a combustion turbine. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The propeller propulsion unit according to claim 1, further comprising an electrical storage and power supply means configured to store the electrical energy generated by the electrical energy generator and to supply the electric motor with electrical energy. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The propeller propulsion unit according to claim 1, further comprising a rectifier configured to convert an alternating current output from the electrical energy generator into direct current, and an alternator configured to convert direct current into alternating current in order to supply the electric motor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An aircraft comprising at least one propeller propulsion unit according to claim 1. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The aircraft according to claim 7, further comprising at least one wing and wherein the kinematic system is disposed under the wing. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The aircraft according to claim 7, further comprising an electrical storage and power supply means configured to store the electrical energy generated by the electrical energy generator and to supply the electric motor with electrical energy, wherein the electrical storage and power supply means are disposed in a fuselage of the aircraft. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The aircraft according to claim 9, wherein the electrical storage and power supply means are disposed in a vicinity of a center of gravity of the aircraft at least equipped with the kinematic system. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The aircraft according to claim 7, further comprising a propeller electric motor and wherein the heat engine and the electrical energy generator of the propeller propulsion unit are configured to also provide the propeller electric motor with electrical energy. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The aircraft according to claim 11, further comprising a fuselage and a wing and wherein the propeller electric motor is disposed under the wing and wherein the kinematic system is positioned between the propeller electric motor and the fuselage.