Hybrid power systems for aircraft
AssigneeBell Helicopter Textron Inc.
InventorTroy C. Schank
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hybrid power system for a vertical takeoff and landing (“VTOL”) aircraft including a first power source operable to provide a power output for at least a forward flight mode; and a second power source configured to provide a high specific power output for an altitude adjustment flight mode, the second power source including an auxiliary gas generator coupled to a turbine and a drive system. In other aspects, there is provided a VTOL aircraft and methods for providing power to a VTOL aircraft.
Claims20
A hybrid power system for a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft comprising:
- a first power source operable to provide a power output for at least a forward flight mode;
- and
- a second power source configured to provide a high specific power output for an altitude adjustment flight mode, the second power source comprising an auxiliary gas generator coupled to a turbine and a drive system.
A vertical takeoff and landing aircraft comprising:
- a fuselage;
- a wing extending from the fuselage;
- a rotor assembly extending from the wing;
- and
- a hybrid power system comprising:
- a first power source coupled to the rotor assembly by a drive system;
- and
- a second power source coupled to the rotor assembly by the drive system comprising:
- an auxiliary gas generator configured to provide a high specific power output;
- and
- a turbine configured to be in communication with the auxiliary gas generator;
- wherein the hybrid power system is configured such that the second power source is activated during an altitude adjustment flight mode.
A method for providing power to a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft comprising:
- providing a first power source;
- providing a second power source comprising an auxiliary gas generator and a turbine in communication with the auxiliary gas generator;
- providing a rotor assembly;
- powering the rotor assembly using the first power source to provide lift to the aircraft;
- and
- activating the second power source to power the rotor assembly when the aircraft is in an altitude adjustment flight mode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.