Pulsed power hybrid electric unmanned underwater vehicle propulsion system
AssigneeHamilton Sundstrand Corporation
InventorRichard A. Himmelmann
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An unmanned underwater vehicle propulsion system includes a turbine engine having a mechanical output, an electrical generator including a mechanical connection to the mechanical output, and an electrical input/output. At least one power bus connects the electrical input/output to one of a motor drive and a motor. A rechargeable energy storage system is connected to the at least one power bus and is configured to provide power to the power bus in at least a first mode and receive power from the power bus in a second mode. A controller is configured to control at least one of the electrical generator, the motor drive, the motor, and the rechargeable energy source.
Claims20
An unmanned underwater vehicle propulsion system comprising:
- a turbine engine including a mechanical output;
- an electrical generator including a mechanical connection to the mechanical output, and an electrical input/output;
- at least one power bus connecting the electrical input/output to one of a motor drive and a motor;
- a rechargeable energy storage system connected to the at least one power bus and configured to provide power to the power bus in at least a first mode and receive power from the power bus in a second mode;
- and
- a controller configured to control at least one of the electrical generator, the motor drive, the motor, and the rechargeable energy source.
A method for driving a propulsor in an unmanned underwater vehicle comprising:
- providing electrical power to a motor from a low power energy storage system in a DC supply operation mode;
- providing electrical power to the motor from a generator in a turbine operation mode;
- and
- repeatedly cycling between the DC supply operation mode and the turbine operation mode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.