US 12,451,824 B1
Hybrid electric propulsion system with regeneration and method for operating the same
Kevin Nguyen, Montreal (CA); Xuening Lu, Oakville (CA); Louis-Philippe Larose, St-Sabine (CA); Carmine Lisio, Laval (CA); and Eric Ostiguy, St-Basile-le-Grand (CA)
Assigned to Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp., Longueuil (CA)
Filed by Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp., Longueuil (CA)
Filed on Jul. 12, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/771,371.
Int. Cl. H02P 9/06 (2006.01); B64D 27/33 (2024.01); B64D 31/18 (2024.01); B64D 35/022 (2025.01); H02K 7/108 (2006.01); H02K 7/116 (2006.01); H02K 7/18 (2006.01); H02P 101/25 (2016.01); H02P 101/30 (2015.01)
CPC H02P 9/06 (2013.01) [B64D 27/33 (2024.01); B64D 31/18 (2024.01); B64D 35/022 (2024.01); H02K 7/108 (2013.01); H02K 7/116 (2013.01); H02K 7/1823 (2013.01); H02P 2101/25 (2015.01); H02P 2101/30 (2015.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of regenerating an electric power storage unit for an aircraft hybrid electric propulsion (HEP) system, wherein the HEP system includes a thermal engine, an electric motor, the electric power storage unit, a primary gearbox, and a propulsion unit, wherein the electric motor is configured within the HEP system to selectively provide rotational drive to the propulsion unit, the method comprising:
controlling the electric motor to operate as a generator and produce electrical energy;
controlling the primary gearbox of the HEP system to be in an output disengaged configuration, wherein in the output disengaged configuration a clutch mechanism of the primary gearbox configures the primary gearbox to disengage from driving the propulsion unit and to transfer rotational drive produced by the thermal engine to the electric motor;
operating the thermal engine to rotationally drive the primary gearbox in the output disengaged configuration and thereby drive the electric motor; and
regenerating the electric power storage unit by providing electrical energy produced by the electric motor to the electric power storage unit.