US 11,999,509 B2
Hybrid-electric and all-electric aircraft power systems
Daniel Mackay, Thornhill (CA)
Assigned to PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP., Longueuil (CA)
Filed by Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp., Longueuil (CA)
Filed on May 17, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/322,739.
Prior Publication US 2022/0363412 A1, Nov. 17, 2022
Int. Cl. B64F 5/40 (2017.01); B60L 9/00 (2019.01); B60L 50/50 (2019.01); B60L 53/16 (2019.01); B64D 27/24 (2006.01); B64F 1/36 (2017.01)
CPC B64F 5/40 (2017.01) [B60L 9/00 (2013.01); B60L 50/50 (2019.02); B60L 53/16 (2019.02); B64D 27/24 (2013.01); B64F 1/364 (2013.01); B60L 2200/10 (2013.01)] 5 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An on-ground service system, comprising:
an aircraft including:
an electric energy module;
a connector module operatively connected to the electric energy module, the connector module being: structured to attach the electric energy module to the aircraft when the connector module is in an engaged mode while in use; and operable between the engaged mode and a disengaged mode, with the connector module disengaging the electric energy module from the aircraft in the disengage mode; and
an electrically-powered system,
wherein:
the electric energy module is attached to the aircraft via the connector module and is electrically connected to the electrically-powered system;
the electric energy module is electrically connected to the electrically-powered system via the connector module;
the connector module is structured to electrically disconnect the electric energy module from the electrically-powered system when the connector module is operated from the engaged mode to the disengaged mode;
the electric energy module is positioned relative to the aircraft such that when the connector module is in the disengaged mode and the aircraft is stationary on a ground, gravity acts on the electric energy module to move the electric energy module toward the ground;
the electric energy module comprises an electrical connector on a side of the electric energy module that faces toward the ground when the aircraft is stationary on the ground;
the electrical connector is electrically connected to the electric energy module; and
the electrical connector is sized to charge the electric energy module when connected to an electric power source; and
a ground vehicle that includes an electrical connector structured to electrically connect to the electrical connector of the electrical energy module when the aircraft is stationary on the ground,
wherein:
the electrical energy module comprises a support structure that is structured to support a weight of the electrical energy module; and
the ground vehicle further comprises a movable structure, the movable structure being structured to move relative to a rest of the ground vehicle to engage the support structure and to remove the electrical energy module from the aircraft while engaged to the support structure.