US 12,221,221 B2
Sub-idle hybrid operation mode for hybrid electric propulsion system
Mert Cevik, Boucherville (CA); James Robert Jarvo, Long Sault (CA); Keith Morgan, Westmount (CA); and Elizabeth Gioia, Montréal (CA)
Assigned to PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP., Longueuil (CA)
Filed by PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP., Longueuil (CA)
Filed on Feb. 14, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/441,405.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/484,761, filed on Feb. 14, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0270398 A1, Aug. 15, 2024
Int. Cl. B64D 31/18 (2024.01); B64D 27/33 (2024.01)
CPC B64D 31/18 (2024.01) [B64D 27/33 (2024.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of operating a hybrid engine for an aircraft, the hybrid engine having a thermal engine and an electric motor, the method comprising:
verifying, using an engine control unit of the hybrid engine, that a selected power level is under a predetermined threshold for operation of the hybrid engine in a sub-idle hybrid mode;
operating the hybrid engine in the sub-idle hybrid mode, using the engine control unit, by controlling the thermal engine to operate in a standby mode, and by controlling the electric motor to operate in an active mode wherein the electric motor provides a majority of a propulsive power to the aircraft, wherein in the standby mode the thermal engine operates in a sub-idle condition to provide at most minimal propulsive power to the aircraft;
verifying, using the engine control unit of the hybrid engine, that the selected power level is at or above the predetermined threshold for operation of the hybrid engine in the sub-idle hybrid mode; and
in response to the selected power level being at or above the predetermined threshold for operation of the hybrid engine in the sub-idle hybrid mode, using the engine control unit to operate the thermal engine and the electric motor at a baseline operating mode, wherein both the thermal engine and the electric motor contribute at least a minimal propulsive power to the aircraft.