US 12,240,619 B2
Torque balancing for hybrid electric propulsion systems and aircraft utilizing hybrid electric propulsion systems
Jean Thomassin, Ste Julie (CA); Sorin Bengea, Glastonbury, CT (US); and Tatjana Pekovic, Saint Lambert (CA)
Assigned to PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP., Longueuil (CA)
Filed by PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP., Longueuil (CA)
Filed on Dec. 6, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/706,449.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/812,657, filed on Mar. 1, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2020/0277073 A1, Sep. 3, 2020
Int. Cl. B64D 31/12 (2006.01); B60W 10/04 (2006.01); B64D 27/02 (2006.01); B64D 27/10 (2006.01); B64D 27/24 (2006.01); F02C 7/22 (2006.01); F02C 9/26 (2006.01); F02C 9/42 (2006.01)
CPC B64D 31/12 (2013.01) [B60W 10/04 (2013.01); B64D 27/02 (2013.01); B64D 27/10 (2013.01); B64D 27/24 (2013.01); F02C 7/22 (2013.01); F02C 9/26 (2013.01); F02C 9/42 (2013.01); B64D 27/026 (2024.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A hybrid electric engine control module (ECU) configured to be operatively connected to a hybrid electric aircraft powerplant having a heat engine system and an electric motor system to control a torque output from each of the heat engine system and the electric motor system, the heat engine system and the electric motor system drivingly engaged to a first air mover, the ECU being configured to:
receive a torque command and split output power between the electric motor system and the heat engine system;
the ECU further comprising a torque splitting module configured to:
receive a total torque value;
receive a second total torque value, the second total torque value generated by a second aircraft powerplant driving a second air mover different than the first air mover, the first air mover being disengaged from the second aircraft powerplant, the second air mover being disengaged from the hybrid electric aircraft powerplant, the first air mover having a thrust requirement corresponding to that of the second air mover, the first air mover engaged solely by the hybrid electric aircraft powerplant, the second air mover engaged solely by the second aircraft powerplant;
determine a torque split of the total torque value between the electric motor system and the heat engine system, including varying both of a first torque generated by the heat engine system and a second torque generated by the electric motor system to achieve the torque split and to output the total torque value; and
control the electric motor system and the heat engine system to produce the total torque value in accordance with the determined torque split to match or approximate the second total torque value generated by the second aircraft powerplant.