Series hybrid architecture for an unmanned underwater vehicle propulsion system
AssigneeHamilton Sundstrand Corporation
InventorRichard A. Himmelmann
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A propulsion system for an unmanned underwater vehicle includes a turbine engine, a generator mechanically coupled to an output shaft of the turbine engine, an electrical motor mechanically decoupled from the turbine engine and electrically coupled to the generator via a power bus architecture, and a propulsor mechanically coupled to a rotational output of the electrical motor. The power bus architecture includes a pair of AC buses and a DC bus.
Claims20
A propulsion system for an unmanned underwater vehicle comprising:
- a turbine engine;
- a generator mechanically coupled to an output shaft of the turbine engine;
- an electrical motor mechanically decoupled from the turbine engine and electrically coupled to the generator via a power bus architecture;
- a propulsor mechanically coupled to a rotational output of the electrical motor;
- and
- wherein the power bus architecture includes a pair of AC buses and a DC bus.
A method for driving an unmanned underwater vehicle propulsion system comprising:
- providing power from an electrical energy storage system to a generator via a DC bus and a pair of AC buses in an engine start mode;
- providing power from the electrical energy storage system to a motor via the DC bus and the pair of AC buses in a range mode;
- and
- providing power from the generator to the motor via the pair of AC buses in a sprint mode.
A torpedo comprising:
- at least one fuel storage tank;
- a turbine engine including a combustor and a turbine, the combustor being fluidly connected to the at least one fuel storage tank;
- a generator mechanically coupled to an output shaft of the turbine engine;
- an electrical motor mechanically decoupled from the turbine engine and electrically coupled to the generator via a power bus architecture;
- a propulsor mechanically coupled to a rotational output of the electrical motor;
- and
- wherein the power bus architecture includes a pair of AC buses and a DC bus connected to the pair of AC buses via a first and second rectifier/inverter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.