GAS-ELECTRIC PROPULSION SYSTEM FOR AN AIRCRAFT
First Claim
1. A gas-electric propulsion system for an aircraft, the system comprising:
- a pair of jet engines suspended beneath a wing of the aircraft;
an electric powered boundary layer ingestion fan coupled to a fuselage portion of the aircraft aft of the wing; and
an electric generator electronically coupled to the pair of jet engines and to the boundary layer ingestion fan, wherein the electric generator converts rotational energy from at least one jet engine of the pair of jet engines to electrical energy;
wherein the electric generator provides at least a portion of the electrical energy to the boundary layer ingestion fan.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In one aspect the present subject matter is directed to a gas-electric propulsion system for an aircraft. The system may include a turbofan jet engine, an electric powered boundary layer ingestion fan that is coupled to a fuselage portion of the aircraft aft of the turbofan jet engine, and an electric generator that is electronically coupled to the turbofan jet engine and to the boundary layer ingestion fan. The electric generator converts rotational energy from the turbofan jet engine to electrical energy and provides at least a portion of the electrical energy to the boundary layer ingestion fan. In another aspect of the present subject matter, a method for propelling an aircraft via the gas-electric propulsion system is disclosed.
61 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A gas-electric propulsion system for an aircraft, the system comprising:
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a pair of jet engines suspended beneath a wing of the aircraft; an electric powered boundary layer ingestion fan coupled to a fuselage portion of the aircraft aft of the wing; and an electric generator electronically coupled to the pair of jet engines and to the boundary layer ingestion fan, wherein the electric generator converts rotational energy from at least one jet engine of the pair of jet engines to electrical energy; wherein the electric generator provides at least a portion of the electrical energy to the boundary layer ingestion fan. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A gas-electric propulsion system for an aircraft, the system comprising:
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a turbofan jet engine; an electric powered boundary layer ingestion fan coupled to a fuselage portion of the aircraft aft of the turbofan jet engine; and an electric generator electronically coupled to the turbofan jet engine and to the boundary layer ingestion fan, wherein the electric generator converts rotational energy from the turbofan jet engine to electrical energy; wherein the electric generator provides at least a portion of the electrical energy to the boundary layer ingestion fan. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. (canceled)
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Specification