Multi-drive unit powerplant for an aircraft

A method for operating an aircraft system, comprising:

• providing a mechanical load, a transmission system, a thermal engine and an electric machine, the transmission system including a geartrain, a first coupler and a second coupler, and the geartrain operatively and mechanically coupling the first coupler and the second coupler to the mechanical load;
• powering the mechanical load through the transmission system using the thermal engine, the thermal engine comprising an engine rotating structure, the engine rotating structure operatively and mechanically coupled to the geartrain through the first coupler at least during the powering of the mechanical load using the thermal engine;
• monitoring a parameter of the engine rotating structure, the monitoring of the parameter comprising measuring the parameter using one or more sensors in signal communication with a controller;
• detecting a failure of the thermal engine based on the parameter using the controller, the detecting of the failure comprising
• comparing the parameter to a threshold;
• and
• determining the failure of the thermal engine has occurred when the parameter is equal to or greater than the threshold;
• and
• switching from the thermal engine to the electric machine to power the mechanical load through the transmission system where the failure of the thermal engine is detected by the controller, the electric machine comprising a machine rotating structure, and the machine rotating structure operatively and mechanically coupled to the geartrain through the second coupler at least while the electric machine powers the mechanical load, wherein the first coupler is configured to mechanically decouple the engine rotating structure from the geartrain following the switching.

A method for operating an aircraft system, comprising:

• providing a mechanical load, a transmission system, a thermal engine and an electric machine, the transmission system including a geartrain, a first coupler and a second coupler, and the geartrain operatively and mechanically coupling the first coupler and the second coupler to the mechanical load;
• powering the mechanical load through the transmission system using the electric machine, the electric machine comprising a machine rotating structure, the machine rotating structure operatively and mechanically coupled to the geartrain through the first coupler at least during the powering of the mechanical load using the electric machine;
• monitoring a parameter of the machine rotating structure, the monitoring of the parameter comprising measuring the parameter using one or more sensors in signal communication with a controller;
• detecting a failure of the electric machine based on the parameter using the controller, the detecting of the failure comprising
• comparing the parameter to a threshold;
• and
• determining the failure of the electric machine has occurred when the parameter is equal to or greater than the threshold;
• and
• switching from the electric machine to the thermal engine to power the mechanical load through the transmission system where the failure of the electric machine is detected by the controller, the thermal engine comprising an engine rotating structure, and the engine rotating structure operatively and mechanically coupled to the geartrain through the second coupler at least while the thermal engine powers the mechanical load, wherein the first coupler is configured to mechanically decouple the machine rotating structure from the geartrain following the switching.