HYBRID CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FOR AN AIRCRAFT

• US 20140060995A1
• Filed: 03/05/2013
• Published: 03/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Incorporated
• Inventors: Anderson, Richard, Greiner, Glenn P., Eastlake, Charles N., Gonitzke, Matt
• Granted Patent: US 9,254,922 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 192/224
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/40 Controlling the engagement or disengagement of prime movers, e.g. for transition between prime movers power-up or power-down of the driveline B60W30/192
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2027/026 comprising different types of power plants, e.g. combination of an electric motor and a gas-turbines
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 27/026 comprising different types of power plants, e.g. combination of a piston engine and a gas-turbine Hybrid electric aircraft B64D27/33
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 27/24 using steam or spring force jet aircraft B64D27/16
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 35/08 characterised by the transmission being driven by a plurality of power plants
• CPC Class Codes: F01B 21/00 Combinations of two or more machines or engines F01B23/00 takes precedence; combinations of two or more pumps F04; fluid gearing F16H
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/60 Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/902 Prime movers comprising electrical and internal combustion motors

Abstract

A hybrid clutch assembly inserted between an internal combustion engine and the propeller of an aircraft to provide a hybrid-powered aircraft. The hybrid clutch assembly allows a direct current (DC) electric motor to be attached to the hybrid clutch assembly using drive belts. The hybrid clutch assembly allows the internal combustion engine to transmit power to the aircraft'"'"'s propeller and freely spin the DC motor. The DC motor can transmit power to the aircraft'"'"'s propeller without turning the internal combustion engine. The hybrid clutch assembly independently allows either the internal combustion engine or the DC motor in parallel to power the aircraft'"'"'s propeller. The hybrid clutch assembly includes a hybrid clutch, a drive belt housing, a hybrid clutch assembly shaft, and an adapter plate. The hybrid clutch connects to the drive belt housing a hybrid clutch assembly shaft. The adapter plate enables connection of the hybrid clutch to the internal combustion engine propeller flange. The drive belt housing enables connection of the hybrid clutch to the propeller. The DC motor is connected to the drive belt housing drive belts.

Claims

1. A hybrid clutch assembly for an aircraft having a hybrid propulsion system powered in parallel by an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, the hybrid clutch assembly comprising:

a drive belt housing;

a hybrid clutch assembly shaft;

a hybrid clutch connected to the drive belt housing the hybrid clutch assembly shaft; and

an adapter plate connecting the hybrid clutch to a propeller flange of the internal combustion engine.

2. The hybrid clutch assembly for an aircraft of claim 1 wherein the drive belt housing comprises an electric motor pulley interconnecting the internal combustion engine and electric motor to a driveshaft such that the electric motor and internal combustion engine operate in parallel to power a propeller independently.

3. The hybrid clutch assembly for an aircraft of claim 1 further comprising at least one drive belt to connect the electric motor to the drive belt housing.

4. The hybrid clutch assembly for an aircraft of claim 1 wherein the drive belt housing connects the hybrid clutch to a propeller shaft.

5. The hybrid clutch assembly for an aircraft of claim 4 further comprising a clutch flange adapter plate connecting a bolt pattern of the engine propeller flange plate to an outer race bolt pattern of the hybrid clutch.

6. The hybrid clutch assembly for an aircraft of claim 5 wherein the clutch flange adapter plate aligns the drive belt housing with an electric motor pulley.

7. The hybrid clutch assembly for an aircraft of claim 6 wherein the clutch flange adapter plate comprises a plurality of countersunk slots for receiving a plurality of flange bolts to attach the hybrid clutch assembly to the engine propeller flange plate.

8. The hybrid clutch assembly for an aircraft of claim 1 wherein the hybrid clutch assembly shaft comprises a keyway slot for receiving a keyway that interlocks the clutch plate adapter assembly and a flex disc assembly.

9. The hybrid clutch assembly for an aircraft of claim 8 wherein the hybrid clutch assembly shaft and keyway interconnect an inner race of the hybrid clutch with the drive belt housing and flex disc assembly.

10. The hybrid clutch assembly for an aircraft of claim 9 further comprising a snap ring to secure the hybrid clutch, drive belt housing, and flex disc assembly to the hybrid clutch assembly shaft.

11. The hybrid clutch assembly for an aircraft of claim 10 further comprising a bushing, a spline coupler, and a coupler centering hub mounted on one end of the hybrid clutch assembly shaft.

12. The hybrid clutch assembly for an aircraft of claim 11 wherein the propeller drive shaft is mounted in the spline coupler.

13. The hybrid clutch assembly for an aircraft of claim 1 wherein the drive belt housing comprises an inner collar diameter to match the hybrid clutch assembly shaft collar.

14. The hybrid clutch assembly for an aircraft of claim 1 wherein an inner diameter of the drive belt housing exceeds the outer diameter of the hybrid clutch in order to provide clearance and airflow circulation.

15. The hybrid clutch assembly for an aircraft of claim 6 wherein an outer diameter of the drive belt housing provides a required revolution per minute transmission from the electric motor pulley to the propeller shaft.

16. The hybrid clutch assembly for an aircraft of claim 6 further comprising a plurality of drive belt grooves positioned on the drive belt housing for positioning the drive belt housing with the electric motor pulley.

17. A hybrid clutch assembly for an aircraft alternately powered independently by an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, comprising:

a hybrid clutch assembly shaft;

a drive belt housing including a pulley for connecting the electric motor and internal combustion engine to a propeller driveshaft;

a clutch connected to the drive belt housing the hybrid clutch assembly shaft; and

an adapter plate connecting the hybrid clutch to a propeller flange of the internal combustion engine.

18. The hybrid clutch assembly for an aircraft of claim 17 wherein the clutch comprises a hybrid clutch having an inner race and an outer race.

19. The hybrid clutch assembly for an aircraft of claim 17 further comprising a drive belt to connect the electric motor to the drive belt housing.

20. The hybrid clutch assembly for an aircraft of claim 18 further comprising a clutch flange adapter plate for aligning the drive belt housing with the pulley.

21. The hybrid clutch assembly for an aircraft of claim 20 wherein the hybrid clutch assembly shaft comprises a keyway slot for receiving a keyway that interlocks the clutch flange adapter plate assembly and a flex disc assembly.

22. The hybrid clutch assembly for an aircraft of claim 21 wherein the hybrid clutch assembly shaft and keyway interconnect the inner race of the hybrid clutch with the drive belt housing and flex disc assembly.