Hybrid propulsive engine including at least one independently rotatable propeller/fan

• US 20100108806A1
• Filed: 10/30/2009
• Published: 05/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Weaver, Thomas A., Myhrvold, Nathan P., Tegreene, Clarence T., Jung, Edward K.Y., Wood, Lowell L. JR., Hyde, Roderick A., Kare, Jordin T., Wood, Victoria Y.H., Chan, Alistair K.
• Application Number:
  US12/590,045
• Publication Number:
  US 20100108806A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/1.N
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 6/00 Plural gas-turbine plants; Combinations of gas-turbine plants with other apparatus; Adaptations of gas-turbine plants for special use
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 6/18 using the waste heat of gas-turbine plants outside the plants themselves, e.g. gas-turbine power heat plants using waste heat as source of energy for refrigeration plants F25B27/02; using the waste heat of a gasturbine for steam generation or in a steam cycle see F01K23/10
• CPC Class Codes: F02K 3/06 with front fan
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2220/31 in steam turbines
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2220/324 to drive unshrouded, low solidity propeller
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2220/325 to drive unshrouded, high solidity propeller
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2220/76 an electrical generator
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1823 structurally associated with turbines or similar engines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/60 Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 70/50 Measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions related to the propulsion system

Abstract

One aspect relates to a method of reducing noise for an aircraft. The method includes determining a mode of operation of the aircraft or the engine. The method also includes controlling a hybrid jet engine, based on the mode of operation, to at least partially use electrically generated torque to generate thrust.

Claims

1. A method of reducing noise for an aircraft, comprising:

determining a mode of operation; and

controlling a hybrid jet engine, based on the mode of operation, to at least partially use electrically generated torque to generate thrust.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the mode of operation is based on the location of the aircraft relative to the airport.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the mode of operation is based on a maneuver of the aircraft.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the mode of operation includes starting the engine.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the mode of operation includes taxiing.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the mode of operation includes takeoff.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the mode of operation includes approach.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the mode of operation includes landing.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the mode of operation includes braking.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the mode of operation includes low-noise cruise.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the mode of operation includes holding operations.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the mode of operation is based on a location signal.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the mode of operation is based on a air traffic control command.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the mode of operation is based on a schedule.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the mode of operation is based on a pilot initiated command.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the mode of operation is based on an autopilot initiated command.

17. A method of reducing noise for an aircraft, comprising:

determining a mode of operation;

determining required thrust; and

controlling a hybrid jet engine, based on the mode of operation and the required thrust, to at least partially use electrically generated torque to generate thrust.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the mode of operation is based on the location of the aircraft relative to the airport.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the mode of operation is based on a maneuver of the aircraft.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the mode of operation includes starting the engine.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the mode of operation includes taxiing.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the mode of operation includes takeoff.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the mode of operation includes approach.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein the mode of operation includes landing.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein the mode of operation includes braking.

26. The method of claim 17, wherein the mode of operation includes low-noise cruise.

27. The method of claim 17, wherein the mode of operation includes holding operations.

28. The method of claim 17, wherein the determining the mode of operation is based on a location signal.

29. The method of claim 17, wherein the determining the mode of operation is based on a air traffic control command.

30. The method of claim 17, wherein the determining the mode of operation is based on a schedule.

31. The method of claim 17, wherein the determining the mode of operation is based on a pilot initiated command.

32. The method of claim 17, wherein the determining the mode of operation is based on an autopilot initiated command.

33. The method of claim 17, wherein the required thrust is based on sensor input.

34. The method of claim 17, wherein the required thrust is based on an autopilot initiated request.

35. The method of claim 17, wherein the required thrust is based on a pilot initiated request.

36. The method of claim 17, wherein the required thrust is based on an air traffic control initiated request.

37. The method of claim 17, wherein required thrust is based on an automatic controller initiated request.

38. A method of reducing noise in an aircraft cabin, comprising:

determining a noise level in the aircraft cabin; and

controlling a hybrid jet engine, based on the noise level in the aircraft cabin, to selectively use electrically generated torque to at least partially generate thrust.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the noise level in the aircraft cabin is detected through sensors in the aircraft cabin.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the controlling is based on the noise level in the aircraft and a mode of operation.

41. The method of claim 38, wherein the controlling is based on the noise level in the aircraft and a mode of operation and the mode of operation includes starting the engine.

42. The method of claim 38, wherein the controlling is based on the noise level in the aircraft and a mode of operation and the mode of operation includes taxiing.

43. The method of claim 38, wherein the controlling is based on the noise level in the aircraft and a mode of operation and the mode of operation includes takeoff.

44. The method of claim 38, wherein the controlling is based on the noise level in the aircraft and a mode of operation and the mode of operation includes approach.

45. The method of claim 38, wherein the controlling is based on the noise level in the aircraft and a mode of operation and the mode of operation includes landing.

46. The method of claim 38, wherein the controlling is based on the noise level in the aircraft and a mode of operation and the mode of operation includes braking.

47. The method of claim 38, wherein the controlling is based on the noise level in the aircraft and a mode of operation and the mode of operation includes low-noise cruise.

48. The method of claim 38, wherein the controlling is based on the noise level in the aircraft and a mode of operation and the mode of operation includes holding operations.

49. The method of claim 38, wherein the controlling is based on the noise level in the aircraft and a mode of operation and the mode of operation includes cruising.