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US 8,939,399 B2Granted
System and method of augmenting power in a rotorcraft
AssigneeTextron Innovations Inc.
InventorsAreian Kouros, Roger Aubert, Paul Madej
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present application relates to a regenerative or hybrid drive system for an aircraft. The drive system includes the use of a power augmentation device to selectively engage the drive system of an aircraft to store power. The power in the power augmentation device being configured to release a power burst to systems within the aircraft to perform critical flight maneuvers.
Claims16
A regenerative drive system for an aircraft, comprising:
- a drive system configured to generate power for the aircraft having:
- a first engine for generating power;
- a transmission coupled to the first engine, the transmission configured to receive power from the engine and drive a rotor system;
- a first driveshaft coupled between the first engine and the transmission for transferring power;
- a first power augmentation device configured to selectively store energy produced by the first engine and provide supplemental power to the aircraft during flight, the first power augmentation device in selective communication with the driveshaft;
- wherein the first power augmentation device is configured to selectively engage and disengage the drive shaft during flight, the first power augmentation device configured to disengage from the driveshaft during flight so as to reduce drag on the first engine and prevent spin-up of the first power augmentation device, the first power augmentation device remaining disengaged after spin-up and prior to delivering a power burst.
3 more elements
A method of providing power to an aircraft, comprising:
- providing an aircraft having a drive system including an engine, a driveshaft, and a transmission;
- engaging a power augmentation device to the drive system of an aircraft during flight;
- obtaining and storing a selected amount of power within the power augmentation device through the drive system of the aircraft;
- releasing power from the power augmentation device to supplement systems within the aircraft;
- and
- selectively disengaging and re-engaging the drive system to provide a plurality of separate distinct power bursts, the power augmentation device configured to disengage from the driveshaft during flight so as to reduce drag on the engine and prevent spin-up of the power augmentation device, the power augmentation device remaining disengaged after spin-up and prior to delivering a power burst.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.