Rolls-royce North American Technologies Inc.

Rolls-royce Corporation

Rigoberto Jorge Rodriguez

William L Siegel

Steven Gagne

Mark Jon Blackwelder

John R Arvin

Peter Michael Schenk

John Timothy Alt

David Locascio

Richard Joseph Skertic

Kenneth M Pesyna

Eric Duane Schneider

Paul M Rancuret

Michael P Dougherty

Erik Alexander Munevar

Donald W Burns

Curtis Harvey Cline

Robert Zeller

Steve T Gagne

Philip Burkholder

Carl D Nordstrom

Robert J Zeller

Carl David Nordstrom

Eric D Schneider

Paul Rancuret

William Siegel

Steven Cagne

An example system includes a power electronics system; a starter electrically connected to the power electronics system and configured to start a gas-turbine engine of an aircraft; and an energy storage system electrically connected to the power electronics system and configured to provide direct current (DC) electrical energy to the power electronics system, wherein the power electronics system is configured to deliver alternating current (AC) electrical energy to the starter to start the gas-turbine engine using the DC electrical energy from the energy storage system and AC electrical energy sourced from an AC electrical bus of the aircraft.

Gas-turbine electrical start system

The present disclosure is directed to an aircraft with an accessory system configured to be powered independent of the primary propulsion system by a ram air turbine power system. The ram air turbine power system illustratively includes an accessory generator integrated with a turbine rotor as well as other components so as to manage space claim and offer unique functionality.

Aircraft accessory unit powered by ram air turbine

Aircraft with ram air turbine disk with generator having blade shroud ring integrated magnets

A micro grid power control system may control a plurality of different sources of electrical energy, such as generators, renewable energy sources, and stored energy sources. The micro grid power control system may include hierarchical levels of control. At a system level, the micro grid power control system may include a system controller configured to selectively allocate the sources and centrally control electrical distribution of electric power within the micro grid based on system conditions to optimize system operation. Optimization of system operation may be dynamically varied by the system controller based on priorities and modeling of system operation. At a source level, each of the sources may include a source controller configured to optimize generation of electrical energy of the respective source. Optimization of a source with a respective source controller may be based on a source objective independently associated with each of the sources and source modeling.

Micro grid control system

The present disclosure provides an apparatus with a prime mover coupled to a generator that is directly electrically coupled to an electric motor. A propeller or fan may be coupled to and driven by the electric motor. A bi-directional power converter may be coupled to the generator and further coupled to an energy storage device. The energy storage device may be selectively coupled to the electric motor. Methods of using the apparatus are also provided.

Electric direct drive for aircraft propulsion and lift

A system is disclosed one form of which is an aircraft that includes a pod capable of housing a work providing device. The pod can also include a thermal conditioning system and a power generation device that can be powered from the work providing device. The pod can provide thermal conditioning services and power services to a payload aboard the aircraft. In one non-limiting form the payload is a directed energy member that can be cooled using the thermal conditioning system and powered using the power generation device.

Phase change material cooling system for a vehicle

A system of a vehicle may include an electrical load, a generator, and first and second conduits. The electrical load of the vehicle may include a high energy device that utilizes above 270 volts during operations of the vehicle. The generator may be coupled to an engine of the vehicle and configured to generate electrical power at a voltage above 270 volts for the electrical load of the high energy device during operations of the vehicle. The first and second conduits may be arranged along each other to house respective first and second conductors that are electrically disposed between the electrical load and the generator.

Vehicle and system for supplying electrical power to a vehicle electrical load

An energy storage thermal management system includes an energy storage compartment including a liquid coolant bath portion and a vapor portion. A plurality of energy storage cells are positioned within the energy storage compartment and submerged within the liquid coolant bath. A compressor is in communication with the vapor portion to remove vapor. A condenser is in communication with the compressor and returns liquid coolant to the energy storage compartment.

Thermal management of energy storage

One embodiment of the present disclosure is a unique airborne electrical power and thermal management system. Another embodiment is a unique aircraft. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for aircraft and electrical power and thermal management systems. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.

Aircraft and airborne electrical power and thermal management system

An electric device is disclosed capable of generating heat during operation. The electric device can be in thermal communication to dissipate the heat through the use of carbon nanotubes and/or a phase change material. In one form the electric device includes a housing that has the carbon nanotubes. The housing, furthermore, can be a composite that in some embodiments does not provide as effective heat transfer as the carbon nanotubes. The electric device can take the form of a power electronic device in some embodiments and a device having a rotor and stator in others. Such embodiments include motors and/or generators.

Heat generating electric device having carbon nanotube housing and thermal storage medium

One embodiment of the present disclosure is a unique machine. Another embodiment is a unique system for supplying electrical power to a machine, such as a vehicle, having an electrical load during operation. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for fluid driven actuation systems.

An engine may have a recuperator that may be powered by an electrical generator driven by the engine. The recuperator may be disposed within or incorporated into a compressor discharge of the engine, such as in the form of a vane or tube. The engine may be configured to operate in a variety of modes at least some of which may use thermal energy from the recuperator to heat a fluid flow stream of the engine. An energy storage device may be used with an electrical generator to provide power to a load.

Vehicle recuperator

A turbine engine may include a modular power electronics distribution system having a plurality of modules connectable to a pluggable interface. The pluggable interface may be configured to receive and distribute power to the plurality of modules. Each module may include at least one fault isolation switch and a coolant system including an inlet and return line, as well as a metering valve. At least one power bus may be configured to provide electrical power to at least one of a load or a source via a functional segment. The functional segment may be operable to supply electrical power to the load in a desired form. The modular power electronics distribution system may include a controller in communication with the plurality of modules, the controller configured to control at least one fault isolation switch and metering valve.

Growing community of inventors

Avon, IN, United States of America

Rigoberto Jorge Rodriguez