US 12,240,621 B2
Power module and clutch mechanism for unmanned aircraft systems
Joshua Alan Resnick, Ben Lomond, CA (US); Robert Hulter, Ben Lomond, CA (US); David Adams, Ben Lomond, CA (US); Paul Allen Kele, Soquel, CA (US); and Maxwell Lewis Kauker, Soquel, CA (US)
Assigned to Parallel Flight Technologies, Inc., Ben Lomond, CA (US)
Filed by Parallel Flight Technologies, Inc., Ben Lomond, CA (US)
Filed on May 11, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/742,208.
Prior Publication US 2023/0365268 A1, Nov. 16, 2023
Int. Cl. B64D 35/08 (2006.01); B64C 39/02 (2023.01); B64D 27/02 (2006.01); B64D 27/04 (2006.01); B64D 27/24 (2024.01); B64D 33/02 (2006.01); B64D 33/08 (2006.01); B64D 35/02 (2024.01); B64U 30/20 (2023.01); B64U 50/19 (2023.01); B64U 50/11 (2023.01)
CPC B64D 35/08 (2013.01) [B64C 39/024 (2013.01); B64D 27/04 (2013.01); B64D 27/24 (2013.01); B64D 33/08 (2013.01); B64D 35/02 (2013.01); B64D 27/026 (2024.01); B64D 2033/024 (2013.01); B64U 30/20 (2023.01); B64U 50/11 (2023.01); B64U 50/19 (2023.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A hybrid power unit, comprising:
a primary electric motor including a motor output shaft;
a primary thrust-providing propeller drivingly coupled to the motor output shaft;
a speed reduction mechanism;
an internal-combustion engine comprising an output element drivingly coupled to a torsion shaft, wherein the torsion shaft is drivingly coupled to the speed reduction mechanism;
a disengagement mechanism interposed between the speed reduction mechanism and the motor output shaft and configured to selectively transfer torque between the speed reduction mechanism and the motor output shaft, wherein a default configuration of the disengagement mechanism is a closed configuration in which the speed reduction mechanism is driving coupled to the motor output shaft;
a cooling shroud extending over the internal-combustion engine and defining a shroud inlet and a cooling shroud outlet; and
a cooling fan driven by the internal-combustion engine and configured to displace air through the cooling shroud and over the internal-combustion engine and through the cooling shroud outlet thereby providing cooling and additional thrust.