Propulsion system for an aircraft

• US 9,764,848 B1
• Filed: 08/24/2016
• Issued: 09/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Vondrell, Randy M., Polakowski, Matthew Ryan, Murrow, Kurt David, Crabtree, Glenn
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P
• Application Number:
  US15/245,257
• Publication Number:
  US 20170253340A1
• Time in Patent Office: 391 Days
• Field of Search: 244 55, 244 60, 244 65
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2221/00 Electric power distribution systems onboard aircraft
• 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 27/18 within, or attached to, wings
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 27/24 using steam or spring force jet aircraft B64D27/16
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 15/10 Adaptations for driving, or combinations with, electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/60 Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft

Abstract

A propulsion system for an aircraft includes an electric generator and a turbomachine. The turbomachine is configured to be mounted to a first wing of the aircraft and is operable with the electric generator. The propulsion system additionally includes a first propulsor mechanically coupled to a shaft of the turbomachine and a second propulsor assembly configured to be mounted at a location away from the turbomachine and the first propulsor. The electric generator is in electrical communication with the second propulsor assembly for powering the second propulsor assembly.

Claims

1. A propulsion system for an aircraft comprising a first wing and a second wing, the propulsion system comprising:

an electric generator;

a turbomachine configured to be mounted to the first wing of the aircraft and comprising a turbine section and a shaft, the shaft rotatable with at least a portion of the turbine section, the turbomachine operable with the electric generator;

a first propulsor mechanically coupled to the shaft of the turbomachine; and

a second propulsor assembly configured to be mounted to the second wing at a location away from the turbomachine and the first propulsor, the electric generator in electrical communication with the second propulsor assembly for powering the second propulsor assembly, wherein the second propulsor assembly further includes an electric motor.

2. The propulsion system of claim 1, wherein the first propulsor is a fan, and wherein the turbomachine and the fan together form a turbofan engine.

3. The propulsion system of claim 1, wherein the second propulsor assembly includes a second propulsor, and wherein the second propulsor is configured as a fan.

4. The propulsion system of claim 1, wherein the turbomachine includes a power gearbox, and wherein the first propulsor is mechanically coupled to the shaft of the turbomachine through the power gearbox.

5. The propulsion system of claim 1, wherein the second propulsor assembly is configured to be mounted to the second wing of the aircraft.

6. The propulsion system of claim 1, further comprising:

a power storage device in electrical communication with both the electric generator and the second propulsor assembly.

7. The propulsion system of claim 6, wherein the power storage device is configured to be mounted within the second wing of the aircraft.

8. The propulsion system of claim 1, wherein the electric generator is positioned within the turbomachine.

19. The propulsion system;

of claim 7, wherein the power storage device is configured to be mounted within the second wing of the aircraft to offset initial weight imbalances between the first and second propulsor assemblies.

9. An aircraft comprising:

a fuselage, a first wing, and a second wing, the first wing and a portion of the fuselage defining a first side, and the second wing and another portion of the fuselage defining a second side; and

an asymmetric propulsion system comprising

an electric generator;

a turbomachine mounted to the first side of the aircraft, the turbomachine comprising a turbine section and a shaft, the shaft rotatable with at east a portion of the turbine section, the turbomachine operable with the electric generator;

a first propulsor mechanically coupled to the shaft of the turbomachine; and

a second propulsor assembly, including an electric motor, mounted to the second side, the electric generator in electrical communication with the electric motor for powering the second propulsor assembly.

10. The aircraft of claim 9, wherein the turbomachine is mounted to the first wing of the aircraft, and wherein the second propulsor assembly is mounted to the second wing of the aircraft.

11. The aircraft of claim 9, wherein the first propulsor is a fan, and wherein the turbomachine and the fan together form a turbofan engine.

12. The aircraft of claim 9, wherein the second propulsor assembly includes a second propulsor, and wherein the second propulsor is configured as a fan.

13. The aircraft of claim 9, wherein the turbomachine includes a power gearbox, and wherein the first propulsor is mechanically coupled to the shaft of the turbomachine through the power gearbox.

14. The aircraft of claim 9, wherein further comprising:

a power storage device in electrical communication with both the electric generator and the second propulsor assembly.

15. The aircraft of claim 14, wherein the power storage device is mounted within the second wing of the aircraft.

16. The aircraft of claim 9, wherein the electric generator is positioned within the turbomachine.

20. The aircraft of claim 15, wherein the power storage device is mounted within the second wing of the aircraft to offset weight imbalances between the first and second propulsor assemblies.

17. A method for operating a propulsion system of an aircraft comprising:

powering, with a turbomachine mounted to a first side of the aircraft, a first propulsor in mechanical communication with the turbomachine;

generating electrical power with an electric generator powered by the turbomachine; and

powering an electric motor included in a second propulsor assembly mounted to a second side of the aircraft with the electrical power generated by the electric generator.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

storing a portion of the electrical power generated with the electric generator in a power storage device electrically connected to the electric generator and the second propulsor assembly.