US 12,110,125 B2
Hybrid electric powerplant systems and controllers
Michael Mark, Montreal (CA); Paul C. Imel, Hartford, CT (US); and Leonid Guerchkovitch, Dollard-des-Ormeaux (CA)
Assigned to PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP., Longueuil (CA)
Filed by PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP., Longueuil (CA)
Filed on Dec. 18, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/543,254.
Application 18/543,254 is a continuation of application No. 17/001,560, filed on Aug. 24, 2020, granted, now 11,884,412.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/892,352, filed on Aug. 27, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2024/0116645 A1, Apr. 11, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B64D 31/06 (2024.01); B64D 27/02 (2006.01); B64D 27/24 (2024.01); B64D 31/14 (2006.01); B64D 45/00 (2006.01)
CPC B64D 31/06 (2013.01) [B64D 27/02 (2013.01); B64D 27/24 (2013.01); B64D 31/14 (2013.01); B64D 45/00 (2013.01); B64D 27/026 (2024.01); B64D 2045/0085 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A hybrid electric powerplant (HEP) controller configured to operatively connect to each of a heat engine torque sensor, an electric motor torque sensor, and a combining gear box torque sensor to receive torque signals from the heat engine torque sensor, the electric motor torque sensor and the combining gear box torque sensor, wherein the controller is configured to output one or more output signals as a function of the torque signals from the heat engine torque sensor, the electric motor torque sensor and the combining gear box torque sensor, wherein:
the HEP controller is connected to a heat engine disconnect configured to disconnect a heat engine from a combining gear box and to an electric motor disconnect configured to disconnect an electric motor from the combining gear box, to control the heat engine disconnect and the electric motor disconnect;
the HEP controller is configured to:
detect a fault when one or more of the torque signals indicate that less torque is being provided by the heat engine or the electric motor than is commanded; and
when the fault is detected, control the heat engine disconnect or the electric motor disconnect to disconnect one of the heat engine or the electric motor from the combining gear box.