Parallel Hybrid-Electric Propulsion Systems for Unmanned Aircraft
First Claim
1. An unmanned air vehicle, comprising:
- an airframe; and
a parallel hybrid-electric propulsion system mounted on the airframe, the parallel hybrid-electric propulsion system including;
an internal combustion engine;
an electric motor;
a hybrid controller, the hybrid controller configured to control both the internal combustion engine and the electric motor; and
a mechanical link; and
a propeller connected to the mechanical link,wherein the mechanical link couples the internal combustion engine and the electric motor to the propeller to drive the propeller.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An unmanned air vehicle is provided, which includes an airframe and a parallel hybrid-electric propulsion system mounted on the airframe. The parallel hybrid-electric propulsion system includes an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. A hybrid controller is configured to control both the internal combustion engine and the electric motor. A propeller is connected to a mechanical link. The mechanical link couples the internal combustion engine and the electric motor to the propeller to drive the propeller. An alternate unmanned air vehicle includes a second propeller driven by the electric motor. In this alternate unmanned air vehicle, the internal combustion engine is decoupled from the electric motor.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An unmanned air vehicle, comprising:
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an airframe; and a parallel hybrid-electric propulsion system mounted on the airframe, the parallel hybrid-electric propulsion system including; an internal combustion engine; an electric motor; a hybrid controller, the hybrid controller configured to control both the internal combustion engine and the electric motor; and a mechanical link; and a propeller connected to the mechanical link, wherein the mechanical link couples the internal combustion engine and the electric motor to the propeller to drive the propeller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An unmanned air vehicle, comprising:
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an airframe; and a parallel hybrid-electric propulsion system mounted on the airframe, the parallel hybrid-electric propulsion system including; an internal combustion engine having a first drive shaft; an electric motor having a second drive shaft; and a hybrid controller, the hybrid controller configured to control both the internal combustion engine and the electric motor; and a propeller connected to the first drive shaft, wherein the first drive shaft is coupled to the second drive shaft by a belt. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An unmanned air vehicle, comprising:
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an airframe; and a parallel hybrid-electric propulsion system mounted on the airframe, the parallel hybrid-electric propulsion system including; an internal combustion engine; a first propeller, wherein the internal combustion engine drives the first propeller; an electric motor; a second propeller, wherein the electric motor drives the second propeller; and a hybrid controller configured to control both the internal combustion engine and the electric motor, wherein the internal combustion engine is decoupled from the electric motor. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification