Hybrid powertrain system and method
AssigneePegasus Aeronautics Corporation
InventorsMatthew Mcroberts, Joseph Kinsella, John Biskey, Carl Engelmann
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hybrid powertrain system and method includes a prime mover driving a generator/motor to produce an AC power output. The AC power output is applied to a rectifier which is controlled to transform the applied AC power to DC power to supply a DC Power bus at a selected voltage and current. An energy storage device is also connected to the DC power bus and the current flow between the energy storage device and the DC power bus is monitored and compared to preselected values and the results of that comparison are used to alter the operation of the rectifier to increase or decrease, as needed, the current provided to the DC power bus as electrical loads on the DC power bus change.
Claims12
An unmanned aerial vehicle comprising:
- at least one rotor electrically coupled to a DC power bus and operable to generate aerodynamic lift, the rotor powered by direct current from the DC power bus;
- and
- a hybrid powertrain system comprising:
- an energy storage device electrically coupled to the DC power bus;
- a prime mover operable to combust a fuel and produce a rotational output;
- an engine controller controlling the operating parameters of the prime mover, including at least its operating speed;
- a generator/motor operable, in a first state, to produce an electrical alternating current when rotated by the rotational output of the prime mover and operable, in a second state, to produce a rotational output to rotate the prime mover when provided with an electrical alternating current input;
- an active rectifier operable in a first state to convert the electrical alternating current produced by the generator/motor into the direct current at a selected voltage and to provide that direct current to the DC power bus and operable in a second state to invert direct current energy provided from the energy storage device into an alternating current which can be provided to the generator/motor;
- and
- a generator control unit operable to select the state of the active rectifier and to select the voltage of the direct current provided to the DC power bus;
- wherein the operation of the prime mover can be suspended for a selected period of time, during which power is supplied to the DC power bus from the energy storage device, after which alternating current power, inverted from the direct current power from the energy storage device by the active rectifier, is applied to the generator/motor to rotate the prime mover and the engine controller operates to restart the prime mover.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.