Hybrid propulsion drive train system for tiltrotor aircraft
AssigneeTextron Innovations Inc.
InventorsCarlos Alexander Fenny, John Robert Wittmaak, Jr., Mike John Ryan, Joseph Scott Drennan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hybrid propulsion system for an aircraft comprising: an engine disposed within a fuselage of the aircraft, two electrical generators disposed within the fuselage and connected to the engine, and two nacelles. Each nacelle comprises a proprotor, and two electric motors connected to the proprotor. Each electrical generator is connected to the two electric motors in each nacelle. The proprotors provide lift for vertical takeoff and landing in a helicopter mode. A fan is coupled to the fuselage and connected to two additional electric motors. Each additional electric motor is connected to one of the two electric generators.
Claims21
A hybrid propulsion system for an aircraft, the hybrid propulsion system comprising:
- an engine disposed within a fuselage of the aircraft;
- two electrical generators disposed within the fuselage and connected to the engine;
- two nacelles, each nacelle comprising:
- a proprotor, and
- two electric motors connected to the proprotor,
- wherein each electrical generator is connected to the two electric motors in each nacelle;
- and
- a fan coupled to the fuselage and connected to two additional electric motors, each additional electric motor connected to one of the two electric generators.
A method of providing propulsion to an aircraft, the method comprising:
- providing an engine disposed within a fuselage of the aircraft;
- providing two electrical generators disposed within the fuselage and connected to the engine;
- providing two nacelles, each nacelle comprising a proprotor, and two electric motors connected to the proprotor, wherein each electrical generator is connected to the two electric motors in each nacelle;
- providing a fan coupled to the fuselage and connected to two additional electric motors, each additional electric motor connected to one of the two electric generators;
- driving the two electrical generators with the engine;
- generating an electrical power from the two electrical generators;
- transmitting the electrical power to the electric motors in the nacelles;
- rotating the proprotors using the electrical motors in the nacelles;
- and
- rotating the fan using the additional electric motors.
A tiltrotor craft comprising:
- a fuselage;
- two wings connected to the fuselage;
- an engine disposed within the fuselage;
- two electrical generators disposed within the fuselage and connected to the engine;
- two nacelles, each nacelle disposed on a respective wing and comprising:
- a proprotor, and
- two electric motors connected to the proprotor,
- wherein each electrical generator is connected to the two electric motors in each nacelle;
- and
- a fan coupled to the fuselage and connected to two additional electric motors, each additional electric motor connected to one of the two electric generators.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.