US 12,187,448 B2
Energy optimization for a hybrid electric engine
Neil Terwilliger, Meriden, CT (US); and Keith J. Kucinskas, West Hartford, CT (US)
Assigned to RTX CORPORATION, Farmington, CT (US)
Filed by RTX Corporation, Farmington, CT (US)
Filed on Aug. 6, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/396,077.
Prior Publication US 2023/0042497 A1, Feb. 9, 2023
Int. Cl. B64D 31/06 (2024.01); B60L 50/60 (2019.01); B64D 27/02 (2006.01); B64D 27/10 (2006.01); B64D 27/24 (2024.01); F02C 9/00 (2006.01)
CPC B64D 31/06 (2013.01) [B60L 50/60 (2019.02); B64D 27/10 (2013.01); B64D 27/24 (2013.01); F02C 9/00 (2013.01); B60L 2200/10 (2013.01); B64D 27/026 (2024.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for managing energy usage for a hybrid electric engine of an aircraft, the method comprising:
providing the hybrid electric engine, the hybrid electric engine having a gas generating core and an electric machine powered by electric energy;
determining, by a processing device, whether a use of the electric energy will increase time on wing of the hybrid electric engine of the aircraft a threshold amount; and
responsive to determining that the use of the electric energy will increase the time on wing the threshold amount, apportioning the electric energy from a battery system of the aircraft to increase the time on wing;
receiving, by the processing device, flight data;
wherein determining whether the use of electric energy will increase the time on wing of the hybrid electric engine of the aircraft the threshold amount comprises:
calculating, by the processing device, an engine component life expectancy for an engine component of the hybrid electric engine based at least in part on the flight data;
determining, by the processing device, whether the engine component life expectancy is indicative of a reason for removal of the hybrid electric engine for maintenance; and
determining, by the processing device, whether the use of the electric energy will increase the engine component life expectancy a threshold amount; and
responsive to the engine component life expectancy being indicative of the reason for removal of the hybrid electric engine for maintenance and responsive to determining that the use of the electric energy will increase the engine component life expectancy the threshold amount, apportioning the electric energy from the battery system of the aircraft to extend the engine component life expectancy.