Systems and methods for controlling torque for aerial vehicle

An aerial vehicle comprising:

• a chassis;
• a mechanical power source coupled to the chassis and configured to supply mechanical power;
• an electric power generation device coupled to the chassis and the mechanical power source and configured to convert at least a portion of the mechanical power into electrical power;
• an electric motor coupled to the chassis and the electric power generation device and configured to convert electrical power into rotational power;
• a first propulsion member coupled to the chassis and the mechanical power source and configured to convert at least a portion of the mechanical power supplied by the mechanical power source into a first thrust force;
• a second propulsion member coupled to the chassis and the electric motor and configured to convert the rotational power supplied by the electric motor into a second thrust force;
• and
• a torque control system associated with the powertrain, the torque control system comprising a torque controller configured to:
• receive at least one torque signal indicative of engine torque supplied by the mechanical power source, the at least one torque signal being indicative of torque peaks corresponding to a maximum torque supplied by operation of the mechanical power source and torque valleys corresponding to a minimum torque supplied by operation of the mechanical power source;
• and
• generate, based at least in part on the at least one torque signal, at least one torque control signal configured to change generator torque generated by the electric power generation device, wherein at least one of:
• when the at least one torque signal is indicative of a relative reduction in the engine torque supplied by the mechanical power source, the at least one torque control signal is configured to cause a relative reduction in the generator torque resisting the engine torque;
• or
• when the at least one torque signal is indicative of a relative increase in the engine torque supplied by the mechanical power source, the at least one torque control signal is configured to cause a relative increase in the generator torque resisting the engine torque,
• wherein the torque controller is also configured to:
• receive at least one output shaft angle signal indicative of an output shaft angle of an output shaft of the mechanical power source;
• determine that the output shaft angle is within a predetermined range of angles after top-dead-center;
• and
• generate, based at least in part on the determination, at least one first output shaft angle torque control signal configured to cause a relative increase in the generator torque resisting the engine torque to at least partially offset at least one torque peak to smooth operation of the powertrain,
• wherein the torque controller is also configured to:
• receive the least one output shaft angle signal indicative of the output shaft angle of the output shaft of the mechanical power source;
• determine that the output shaft angle is within a predetermined range of angles before top-dead-center;
• and
• generate, based at least in part on the determination, at least one second output shaft angle torque control signal configured to cause a relative decrease in the generator torque resisting the engine torque to at least partially offset at least one torque valley to smooth operation of the powertrain.