Hybrid power for ducted fan unmanned aerial systems
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsRichard E. Annati, Patrick L. O'Brien
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Abstract
A propulsion system for a vertical take-off and landing ducted fan aerial vehicle is provided, the propulsion system comprising an internal combustion engine, an electric motor that comprises a motor generator, a motor drive and a battery. The motor drive and battery are integrated into the aerial vehicle and provide power to the ducted fan aerial vehicle. The electric motor may comprise a ring motor generator. In operation, this dual propulsion system serves as a weight-efficient option to allow for two sources of power on a ducted fan unmanned aerial vehicle.
Claims15
A propulsion system for a vertical take-off and landing ducted fan aerial vehicle, the propulsion system comprising:
- a fan comprising a fan impeller, wherein the fan is located within an air duct;
- an engine configured to rotate the fan impeller;
- and
- an electric motor, wherein the electric motor is connected to the fan impeller and the engine, and wherein the engine and the electric motor are configured to simultaneously rotate the fan impeller to provide power to the ducted fan aerial vehicle.
A ducted fan aerial vehicle, comprising:
- an engine;
- a ducted fan comprising a plurality of fan blades, wherein each fan blade of the plurality of fan blades comprises an end, and the end of each fan blade of the plurality of fan blades defines a periphery;
- and
- an electric ring motor, wherein the electric ring motor is integrated into the periphery defined by the ends of the fan blades of the plurality of fan blades, and wherein the engine and the electric ring motor are configured to simultaneously rotate the plurality of fan blades of the ducted fan.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.