Textron Innovations Inc.

Michael Raymond Hull

Yue Fan

Steven Loveland

Daniel Duane Donley

Glenn Sahagun

Grant Michael Beall

Zachary Edwin Dailey

Albert Mazzei

There is disclosed in one example, one or more tangible, non-transitory computer-readable storage media having stored thereon machine-executable instructions to: receive battery data from at least one sensor connected to a battery bank of an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, wherein the battery bank comprises a plurality of batteries; compute from the battery data an available flight time remaining for the eVTOL aircraft; compute a nominal flight time remaining, wherein the nominal flight time remaining excludes a reserve flight time; and display the nominal flight time remaining to a pilot in a human-readable format.

Battery displays for electric rotorcraft

In an example, a computing apparatus includes a hardware platform, having a processor and a memory, and instructions encoded within the memory to instruct the processor to receive a peak power demand for a landing maneuver of a VTOL aircraft powered at least partly by a battery, receive flight profile data for a flight profile of the VTOL aircraft, and configuration data for the VTOL aircraft, estimate power consumption of the flight profile in context of the configuration, and estimate a peak power capacity available for the landing maneuver, and provide an error notice if the peak power capacity does not meet the peak power demand.

Estimating available power for an aircraft battery

A modular battery system includes an array of battery modules arranged in at least one stack. Each battery module includes a plurality of battery cells, a first side having positive and negative receptacles and a second side, that is opposite of the first side, having positive and negative plugs. The receptacles and plugs are configured such that adjacent battery modules in a side-by-side relationship are electrically coupled together via plug and receptacle connections and such that the battery modules are electrically coupled together in parallel. An interconnection electrically couples each stack of battery modules together via plug and receptacle connections with one of the battery modules in each stack such that the stacks of battery modules are electrically coupled together in parallel. Each of the battery modules includes a thermal conditioning system configured to thermally isolate the battery module from the other battery modules.

Modular battery systems for aircraft

A configurable electrical architecture for an eVTOL aircraft having a takeoff and landing power mode and a cruise power mode. The configurable electrical architecture includes a power-optimized power source including a high-power battery array and an energy-optimized power source selected from a plurality of interchangeable energy-optimized power sources including a high-energy battery array, a hydrogen fuel cell system and a turbo-generator system. A distribution system is electrically coupled to the power-optimized power source and the energy-optimized power source. At least one electric motor is electrically coupled to the distribution system. In the takeoff and landing power mode, both the power-optimized power source and the energy-optimized power source provide electrical power to the at least one electric motor. In the cruise power mode, the energy-optimized power source provides electrical power to the at least one electric motor and to the power-optimized power source to recharge the high-power battery array.

Configurable electrical architectures for eVTOL aircraft

A battery system includes a plurality of battery modules each formed from a plurality of battery cells. A shared cooling structure is thermally coupled to each of the battery modules. The shared cooling structure is configured to conduct heat relative to the battery modules. A thermal interface is disposed between the battery cells of each battery module and the shared cooling structure. Each thermal interface is configured to transition from a first thermal conductivity state to a second thermal conductivity state when heat generated by the respective battery cells exceeds a threshold level. The second thermal conductivity state is lower than the first thermal conductivity state such that after one of the thermal interfaces has transitioned from the first thermal conductivity state to the second thermal conductivity state, heat transfer from the respective battery cells to the shared cooling structure is reduced.

Aircraft battery systems having heat activated thermal barriers

An electric motor adapted to apply torque to a drive shaft rotatable about an axis, the electric motor includes a stator, a rotor adapted to rotate relative to the stator, a primary bearing interoperably coupled to the stator and adapted to provide bearing support between the stator and the rotor, an auxiliary bearing interoperably coupled to the drive shaft, an annular shear adapter connected to the primary bearing and the auxiliary bearing, and a shear pin interoperably coupled to the primary bearing via the annular shear adapter and configured to break responsive to torque between the annular shear adapter and the drive shaft exceeding a predetermined torque threshold.

Electric motor with backup bearing assembly

A modular battery system provides propulsive power to the rotor system of an aircraft. The modular battery system includes an array of battery modules arranged in at least one stack. Each battery module includes a plurality of battery cells, a first side having positive and negative receptacles and a second side, that is opposite of the first side, having positive and negative plugs. The receptacles and plugs are configured such that adjacent battery modules in a side-by-side relationship are electrically coupled together via plug and receptacle connections and such that the battery modules are electrically coupled together in parallel. An interconnection electrically couples each stack of battery modules together via plug and receptacle connections with one of the battery modules in each stack such that the stacks of battery modules are electrically coupled together in parallel.

Embodiments are directed to systems and methods for utilizing aircraft cockpit and cabin lighting to provide both power and data transmission to occupants. Data and power may be transmitted on non-visible and/or visible spectrums. The visible light may be used independently for aircraft illumination. Data for the cockpit allows for quick upload and download of flight planning and maintenance data to an electronic flight bag. The electronic flight bag may also be able to receive power from cockpit and cabin lighting during flight.

Cockpit and cabin LiFi power and data

Embodiments are directed to a rotor system for an aircraft comprising a gearbox configured to receive torque from a drive train, a mast having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the gearbox and the mast configured to rotate in response to the torque from the drive train, a rotor hub attached to the second end of the mast, a first light transceiver mounted adjacent to the first end of the mast, wherein the first light transceiver is does not rotate relative to the mast, and a second light transceiver mounted adjacent to the second end of the mast, wherein the second light transceiver rotates with the mast.

Light communication slip ring

An electrical system provides propulsive power to a rotor system of an eVTOL aircraft. The electrical system includes a power battery system having a plurality of power cells and a power battery management system. An energy battery system includes a plurality of energy cells and an energy battery management system in communication with the power battery management system. A distribution system electrically couples the power battery system and the energy battery system to at least one electric motor that drives the rotor system. In a takeoff and landing power mode of the eVTOL aircraft, both the power battery system and the energy battery system provide electrical power to the at least one electric motor. In a cruise power mode of the eVTOL aircraft, the energy battery system provides electrical power to the at least one electric motor and to the power battery system to recharge the power cells.

Battery system optimization for eVTOL aircraft

Embodiments are directed to systems and methods for providing light communication (LC) for an aircraft. An LC transmitter is mounted on an aircraft fuselage and is configured to broadcast light signals within a defined region outside the aircraft. An LC receiver mounted on the aircraft fuselage is configured to receive light signals broadcast by a remote LC device. A controller is configured to manage LC signals in the aircraft, and an interface is provided between the controller and an aircraft data network. The light signals may be in a visible light spectrum, an invisible light spectrum, or both. The remote LC device may be, for example, a ground station, an aircraft, a ground vehicle, a ship, a building, or a portable transmitter.

Growing community of inventors

Fort Worth, TX, United States of America

Michael Raymond Hull