US 12,420,921 B2
Hybrid power systems for different modes of flight
Pranay Sinha, Sunnyvale, CA (US); and Damon Vander Lind, Alameda, CA (US)
Assigned to Kitty Hawk Corporation, Palo Alto, CA (US)
Filed by Kitty Hawk Corporation, Palo Alto, CA (US)
Filed on Jul. 16, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/773,838.
Application 18/773,838 is a continuation of application No. 18/244,785, filed on Sep. 11, 2023, granted, now 12,071,234.
Application 18/244,785 is a continuation of application No. 17/380,687, filed on Jul. 20, 2021, granted, now 11,787,537, issued on Oct. 17, 2023.
Application 17/380,687 is a continuation of application No. 17/066,050, filed on Oct. 8, 2020, granted, now 11,097,839, issued on Aug. 24, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/912,872, filed on Oct. 9, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2024/0367788 A1, Nov. 7, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B64C 29/00 (2006.01); B60L 50/64 (2019.01); B60L 53/00 (2019.01); B64C 13/48 (2006.01); B64C 27/82 (2006.01); B64C 39/12 (2006.01); B64D 27/02 (2006.01); B64D 27/31 (2024.01); B64D 27/34 (2024.01); B64D 27/40 (2024.01); B64D 31/06 (2006.01); G05D 1/00 (2006.01); G05D 1/46 (2024.01)
CPC B64C 29/0016 (2013.01) [B60L 50/64 (2019.02); B60L 53/00 (2019.02); B64C 13/48 (2013.01); B64C 27/82 (2013.01); B64C 29/0033 (2013.01); B64C 39/12 (2013.01); B64D 27/026 (2024.01); B64D 27/31 (2024.01); B64D 27/34 (2024.01); B64D 27/402 (2024.01); B64D 31/06 (2013.01); G05D 1/101 (2013.01); G05D 1/46 (2024.01); B60L 2200/10 (2013.01); B64C 2027/8209 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system, including:
a first power source that includes a high discharge rate battery;
a second power source that includes a high energy battery;
an electronically activated switch, wherein:
the electronically activated switch: switches between the first power source and the second power source in response to a control signal from a power controller; and
in the event the electronically activated switch fails, fails with one of the first power source and the second power source in an open circuit position and with the other one of the first power source and the second power source in a closed circuit position; and
the power controller that generates the control signal, including by: during a vertical landing associated with a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle, generating the control signal to switch from the high energy battery to the high discharge rate battery independent of a measured current.