HYBRID ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT WITH RANKINE CYCLE HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEM
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A propulsion system comprising:
- a gas turbine engine;
an electric machine rotatably attached to the gas turbine engine;
an electric motor system comprising;
a motor drive electrically connected to the electric machine; and
an electric motor electrically connected to the motor drive, wherein the electric motor drives a propulsion unit;
an energy storage system having bi-directional electrical connections with the electric motor system and the electric machine; and
a Rankine cycle system in communication with the gas turbine engine for recovering waste heat energy from the gas turbine engine.
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Abstract
A propulsion system includes a gas turbine engine, an electric motor system having a motor drive electrically connected to the electric machine and an electric motor electrically connected to the motor drive where the electric motor drives a propulsion unit, an electric machine rotatably attached to the gas turbine engine and electrically connected to the electric motor system, an energy storage system having bi-directional electrical connections with the electric motor system and the electric machine, and an Rankine cycle system in communication with the gas turbine engine for recovering waste heat from the gas turbine engine.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A propulsion system comprising:
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a gas turbine engine; an electric machine rotatably attached to the gas turbine engine; an electric motor system comprising; a motor drive electrically connected to the electric machine; and an electric motor electrically connected to the motor drive, wherein the electric motor drives a propulsion unit; an energy storage system having bi-directional electrical connections with the electric motor system and the electric machine; and a Rankine cycle system in communication with the gas turbine engine for recovering waste heat energy from the gas turbine engine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of operating a propulsion system, the method comprising:
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providing a gas turbine engine; providing an electric motor system configured to drive a propulsion motor; providing an electric machine rotatably attached to the gas turbine engine and electrically connected to the electric motor system; providing an energy storage system having bi-directional electrical connections with the electric motor system and the electric machine; operating the gas turbine for a first period of time to provide electric power produced by the electric machine to the electric motor system and to recharge the energy storage system; and providing thermal energy from exhaust gases generated by the gas turbine to an Rankine cycle system to provide electric power. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An aircraft comprising:
a propulsion system comprising; a gas turbine engine; an electric machine rotatably attached to the gas turbine engine; an electric motor system comprising; a motor drive electrically connected to the electric machine; and an electric motor electrically connected to the motor drive, wherein the electric motor drives a propulsion unit; an energy storage system having bi-directional electrical connections with the electric motor system and the electric machine; and a Rankine cycle system in communication with the gas turbine engine for recovering waste heat energy from the gas turbine engine.
Specification