Electric machine and method of operating aircraft

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric machine and a method of operating an aircraft. The motor includes: a rotatable shaft; an induction generator mechanically coupled to the rotatable shaft and defining a power output connectable with an electrical load, where the power output defines a desired constant voltage output; a converter electrically connected to the power output; and a controller connected to the converter, the controller configured to at least one of provide supplemental power at the power output or absorb excess power at the power output.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for operating an electric machine, and more particularly to operating an electric machine in response to changing power demands. Background Art

[0002] Electric machines, which may include generators, are used in energy conversion. In the aircraft industry, an electric machine may be mechanically coupled to a rotating source, such as a mechanical machine or an electric machine, which for some aircraft may include a gas turbine engine. A generator may convert rotational mechanical energy into electrical energy. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0003] In the drawings:

[0004] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an engine, an accessory gearbox (AGB), and an electric machine in accordance with various aspects described herein.

[0005] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an electric machine in accordance with various aspects described herein.

[0006] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an electric machine in accordance with various aspects described herein.

[0007] Figure 4 is Figure 3 an enlarged portion of

[0008] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second nozzle of an electric machine in accordance with various aspects described herein.

[0009] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a second nozzle of an electric machine in accordance with various aspects described herein.

[0010] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a cap of an electric machine in accordance with various aspects described herein.

[0011] Figure 8 is a schematic view of an aircraft in accordance with various aspects described herein, the aircraft including an engine, an accessory gearbox (AGB), and an electric machine.

[0012] Figure 9 is a flowchart of a method of operating an aircraft in accordance with various aspects described herein. Detailed Description

[0013] Aspects of the present disclosure are described herein in the context of an electric machine of an aircraft, the electric machine enabling the generation of electrical power from an energy source such as a turbine engine, jet fuel, hydrogen, battery, etc. However, it will be understood that the present disclosure is not so limited and has general applicability to power distribution systems or power generation systems in non-aircraft applications, including other mobile applications and non-mobile industrial, commercial, and residential applications. For example, applicable mobile environments can include aircraft, spacecraft, space launch vehicles, satellites, locomotives, automobiles, etc. Commercial environments can include manufacturing facilities or power generation and distribution facilities or infrastructure.

[0014] The electric machine can be designed, sized, or otherwise controlled to generate an estimated, determined, predicted, or otherwise expected amount or quantity of electrical power to be provided to a set of electrical loads. It may be desirable to have a cooling fluid flow through one or more portions of the electric machine to provide cooling. By providing the cooling fluid from an external source, such as a pump of an accessory gearbox (AGB) that can be operably and fluidly coupled to the electric machine, the size, weight, or both of the electric machine can be reduced relative to other designs.

[0015] As used herein, the term "set" or "a set" of elements can be any number of elements, including only one.

[0016] All directional references used herein (e.g., radial, axial, up, down, upward, downward, left, right, lateral, front, rear, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, counterclockwise) are for identification purposes only to assist the reader in understanding the present disclosure and do not impose limitations, particularly with respect to its position, orientation, or use. Connection references (e.g., attach, couple, connect, and link) are to be interpreted broadly and can include intermediate components between assemblies of elements and relative movement between elements, unless otherwise indicated. Thus, a connection reference does not necessarily mean that two elements are directly connected and in a fixed relationship to each other. In non-limiting examples, connection or disconnection can be selectively configured to provide, enable, disable, etc. an electrical connection between the corresponding elements. The connection or disconnection of a non-limiting example of an electric machine can be enabled or operated by a switch, bus tie logic, or any other connector configured to enable or disable the excitation of an electrical load downstream of the bus. Additionally, as used herein, "electrically connected" or "electrically coupled" can include wired or wireless connections, or both. Exemplary figures are for illustrative purposes only, and the sizes, positions, orders, and relative dimensions reflected in the figures attached hereto can vary.

[0017] The fluid passageway can include various forms, including: formed integrally with another member (e.g., via an orifice in a housing, shaft, etc.), provided in a separate member (e.g., tubes, hoses, ducts, etc.), or a combination thereof.

[0018] Additionally, as used herein, a "controller" or "controller module" can include a component configured or adapted to provide instructions, control, operation, or any form of communication to an operative component to effectuate its operation. The controller can include any known processor, microcontroller, or logic device, including but not limited to: field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), full authority digital engine controls (FADECs), proportional controllers (P), proportional-integral controllers (PI), proportional-derivative controllers (PD), proportional-integral-derivative controllers (PID controllers), proportional-resonant controllers (PR), hardware acceleration logic controllers (e.g., for encoding, decoding, transcoding, etc.), or the like, or combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of controllers can be configured or adapted to run, operate, or otherwise execute program code to effectuate an operation or functional result, including performing various methods, functions, processing tasks, calculations, comparisons, sensing or measuring of values, etc., to permit or effectuate the technical operations or operations described herein. The operation or functional result can be based on one or more inputs, stored data values, sensed or measured values, true or false indications, etc. While "program code" is described, non-limiting examples of sets of operative or executable instructions can include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, algorithms, etc., that have a technical effect of performing a particular task or implementing a particular abstract data type. In another non-limiting example, the controller can also include a data storage component accessible by a processor, which includes memory, whether transient memory, volatile memory, or non-transient memory or non-volatile memory.

[0019] Additional non-limiting examples of a memory may include random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash memory, or one or more different types of portable electronic memory, such as optical disks, DVDs, CD-ROMs, flash drives, universal serial bus (USB) drives, etc., or any suitable combination of these types of memory. In one example, program code may be stored in the memory in a machine-readable format accessible by a processor. Additionally, the memory may store various data, data types, sensed or measured data values, inputs, generated or processed data, etc., which may be accessed by the processor when providing instructions, control, or operations to achieve a function or an operational result, as described herein. In another non-limiting example, the controller may be configured to compare a first value with a second value and, based on the satisfaction of the comparison, operate additional components and control the operation of additional components. For example, when a sensed, measured, or provided value is compared with another value (including a stored or predetermined value), the satisfaction of the comparison may result in an action, function, or operation controllable by the controller. As used herein, the terms "satisfies" or "satisfaction" of a comparison are used to mean that the first value satisfies the second value, such as being equal to or less than the second value or within the value range of the second value. It will be understood that such determinations can be readily changed to be satisfied by a positive / negative comparison or a true / false comparison. Exemplary comparisons may include comparing a sensed or measured value with a threshold or a threshold range.

[0020] Herein and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations are combined and interchanged, such ranges are identified and include all sub-ranges subsumed therein, unless the context or language indicates otherwise. For example, all ranges disclosed herein include the endpoints, and the endpoints may be combined independently of each other.

[0021] Aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented in any environment using an electric machine or a power generator. Additionally, although the description is primarily directed to an aircraft environment, aspects of the present disclosure are applicable in any environment using an electric machine.

[0022] Exemplary figures are for illustrative purposes only, and the sizes, positions, orders, and relative dimensions reflected in the figures attached hereto may vary.

[0023] Figure 1An engine 10 (e.g., a gas turbine engine) is shown in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure and has an accessory gearbox (AGB) 12 and an electric machine 14. The engine 10 can be a turbofan engine used in modern aviation, such as a General Electric GEnx or CF6 series engine, or it can be a variety of other known gas turbine engines, such as a turboprop or a turboshaft. The AGB 12 can be coupled to the engine 10 by means of a mechanical power output device 16. The type and details of the engine 10 are not closely related to the present disclosure and will not be further described herein. The electric machine 14 can include one or more of a generator, a motor, a starter / generator, or a combination thereof, and is not limited to the generator aspect that can provide electrical power. For example, in one non-limiting example, the electric machine 14 can operate in a power generation mode to provide power, or in a motor mode, where power is consumed to generate a rotational force (such as propulsion). Non-limiting examples of the electric machine 14 can include synchronous or asynchronous machine architectures.

[0024] Referring to Figure 2 , the electric machine 14 can include a housing 30 (e.g., a stator) and a rotor 32 disposed at least partially within the housing 30. The rotor 32 can be configured to be coupled to the AGB 12 ( Figure 1 ) to cause the rotor 32 to rotate. Rotation of the rotor 32 relative to the housing 30 can generate electrical power. Supplying electrical power to the electric machine 14 can cause the rotor 32 to rotate relative to the housing 30. The rotor 32 is operably coupled via the AGB 12 ( Figure 1 ) to a mechanical power source (such as the engine 10), and the AGB 12 is operably coupled to the engine 10 via the power output device 16. For example, operation of the engine 10 can cause one or more portions of the power output device 16 ( Figure 1 ) to rotate, the power output device 16 can rotate one or more portions of the AGB 12 ( Figure 1 ), and the AGB 12 can then rotate the rotor 32 to generate electrical power.

[0025] As Figure 3Generally shown in the figure, the electric machine 14 includes a first inlet 50, a first outlet 52, a second inlet 56, and a second outlet 58. The housing 30 at least partially defines a first fluid passage 54 that fluidly couples the first inlet 50 and the first outlet 52, and a second fluid passage 60 that fluidly couples the second inlet 56 and the second outlet 58. The housing 30 at least partially defines a chamber 70 (e.g., a fluid chamber). The first outlet 52 and the second inlet 56 are fluidly coupled to the chamber 70. The first inlet 50 and the second outlet 58 are fluidly coupled to the exterior of the housing 30. The housing 30 may include one or more electrical components 62, such as a plurality of coils. One or both of the first fluid passage 54 or the second fluid passage 60 may extend adjacent to one or more electrical components 62, through one or more electrical components 62, or both, to cool the one or more electrical components 62, such as via the flow of a cooling fluid F.

[0026] The housing 30 may include a cap 72 that may be connected to an end of the housing 30. The cap 72 may at least partially define the chamber 70, define a portion of the first fluid passage 54, at least partially receive the first nozzle 110, define a portion of the second fluid passage 60, define the second inlet 56, or a combination thereof. The cap 72 may be connected to other portions of the housing 30, such as after the rotor 32 is disposed in the housing 30.

[0027] The rotor 32 includes a third inlet 80 and a third outlet 82. The rotor 32 at least partially defines a third fluid passage 84 that fluidly couples the third inlet 80 and the third outlet 82. The rotor 32 includes a rotor shaft 90 and a rotor body 92 coupled to rotate with the rotor shaft 90. The rotor shaft 90 may include one or more electrical components 94, such as a rectifier, that may be disposed in the third fluid passage 84, adjacent to the third fluid passage 84, or both. The rotor body 92 may include, for example, one or more coils or windings 96. The third fluid passage 84 may include a first portion 100, a second portion 102, and a third portion 104. The first portion 100 may extend in the rotor shaft 90, such as from the second nozzle 112 and the third inlet 80 to the second portion 102. The second portion 102 may extend from the first portion 100 through the rotor body 92 to the third portion 104. For example, the second portion 102 may extend adjacent to one or more coils or windings 96, through one or more coils or windings 96, or both. The third portion 104 may extend from the second portion 102 through the rotor shaft 90 to the third outlet 82, such as to one or more outlet portions 150 of the third outlet 82, which may be defined by the second nozzle 112. The third portion 104 may be disposed radially outward of the first portion 100. The third portion 104 may be disposed in the rotor shaft 90. The third fluid passage 84 may, for example, act as a fluid loop through the rotor 32.

[0028] The electric machine 14 includes a first nozzle 110 and a second nozzle 112. The first nozzle 110 is coupled to the housing 30, defines a first outlet 52, and is fluidly coupled to a first fluid passage 54. The second nozzle 112 is coupled to the rotor 32, is at least partially aligned with the first nozzle 110, defines a third inlet 80, and is fluidly coupled to a third fluid passage 84. The first nozzle 110, the second nozzle 112, or both may be partially disposed within the chamber 70.

[0029] Referring Figure 4 , the first nozzle 110 is fluidly coupled to the second nozzle 112 via a non-contact interface 114. For example, the second nozzle 112 may include a sleeve 120 that is at least partially disposed within the chamber 70 and a shoulder 122 disposed at an inner axial end of the sleeve 120. A portion of the first nozzle 110 may be disposed within the sleeve 120 such that a radial gap 124 exists between an inner surface of the sleeve 120 and an outer surface of the first nozzle 110 and such that the first nozzle 110 and the second nozzle 112 partially overlap in the radial direction. Additionally or alternatively, an axial end 128 of the first nozzle 110 (e.g., closest to the second nozzle 112) may be axially offset from the shoulder 122 such that an axial gap 126 exists between portions of the first nozzle 110 and the second nozzle 112. The first nozzle 110 may include a converging configuration in which an inner diameter (e.g., hydraulic diameter) of the first nozzle 110 decreases toward the second nozzle 112. The second nozzle 112 may include a converging-diverging configuration in which an inner diameter (e.g., hydraulic diameter) of the second nozzle 112 first decreases away from the first nozzle 110 and then increases.

[0030] The electric machine 14 may include an impeller 140 that is at least partially disposed within the chamber 70. The impeller 140 may be coupled to the rotor 32 or integrally formed with the rotor 32 such that the impeller 140 rotates with the rotor 32. The impeller 140 includes an impeller blade set 142 that extends from an outer surface of the sleeve 120 and is at least partially disposed within the chamber 70. The impeller 140 may be disposed such that the impeller 140 (e.g., the impeller blade set 142) and the first nozzle 110 at least partially overlap in the radial direction.

[0031] The electric machine 14 may include a flow path 160 for a fluid (e.g., a cooling fluid F) to flow through the electric machine 14 to cool one or more of its parts. The flow path 160 may extend, for example, from a first inlet 50, through a first fluid passage 54 to a first nozzle 110 and a first outlet 52, across a non-contact interface 114 to a second nozzle 112 and a third inlet 80, through a first part 100 and a rotor shaft 90, through a second part 102 and a rotor body 92, through a third part 104 to a third outlet 82, an outlet portion 150, and the second nozzle 112, into a chamber 70, into a second inlet 56, through a second fluid passage 60, and out of the housing 30 and the electric machine 14 through a second outlet 58 to the exterior of the housing 30. The flow path 160 may include other configurations and may, for example, include portions of the AGB 12 (e.g., see Figure 8 ).

[0032] Although in Figure 3 and Figure 4 the first fluid passage 54 is shown as being towards the top of the page and the second fluid passage 60 is shown as being towards the bottom of the page, the first and second fluid passages 54, 60 and the corresponding first and second inlets 50, 56 and first and second outlets 52, 58 may be disposed in various positions of the electric machine 14. By way of example and not limitation, in some configurations, the first fluid passage 54 may be disposed in the top half of the housing 30, the second fluid passage 60 may be disposed in the bottom half of the housing 30, or a combination thereof. In some other configurations, the first fluid passage 54 may be disposed in the bottom half of the housing 30, the second fluid passage 60 may be disposed in the top half of the housing 30, or a combination thereof.

[0033] Referring to Figure 5 and Figure 6 , a perspective view and a cross-sectional view respectively show examples of the second nozzle 112. The third outlet 82 may include a plurality of individual outlet portions 150 which may be circumferentially (equally or unequally) spaced at an axial surface 152 of the second nozzle 112. The outlet portions 150 may be fluidly coupled to a third fluid passage 84 ( Figure 4 ). An impeller blade set 142 may extend from the axial surface 152 and some or each of the plurality of outlet portions 150 may be disposed between corresponding adjacent pairs of the impeller blade set 142. By way of example and not limitation, the impeller blade set 142 may include eight impeller blades and the plurality of outlet portions 150 may include eight outlet portions. As the impeller 140 rotates with the rotor 32 ( Figure 4 ), the impeller blade set 142 may move the cooling fluid F in the chamber 70 ( Figure 4 ), including the cooling fluid F exiting the third outlet 82 and its outlet portions 150. For example, the impeller blade set 142 may cause the cooling fluid F in the chamber 70 ( Figure 4 ) to be directed towards the second inlet 56 ( Figure 4) Move and move to the second inlet 56( Figure 4 ) therein. The movement of the cooling fluid F caused by the impeller blade group 142 may be sufficient to push the fluid through the second fluid passage 60( Figure 4 ) to the second outlet 58( Figure 4 ) and out of the electric machine 14( Figure 4 ).

[0034] Refer to Figure 7 , a perspective view of the cap 72 is provided. The cap 72 may include a first recess 170 that partially defines the first fluid passage 54 and at least partially receives the first nozzle 110( Figure 4 ). The first recess 170 may be, for example, cylindrical, concentric with the rotor 32( Figure 4 ), or both. The cap 72 may include a second recess 172. The first recess 170 may extend from the second recess 172 such that in the assembled configuration, the first recess 170 is axially outside the second recess 172. The second recess 172 may at least partially define the chamber 70 such that in the assembled configuration, some or all of the impeller 140( Figure 4 ) may be disposed in the second recess 172. For example, the minimum inner diameter of the second recess 172 may be greater than the outer diameter of the impeller 140( Figure 4 ). The second recess 172 may include a protrusion 174 that generally extends in the circumferential direction and separates a first portion 180 of the second recess 172 and a second portion 182 of the second recess 172. For example, the protrusion 174 may act as a water dividing portion. The second portion 182 may be radially outside the first portion 180 and may be fluidly coupled to the second inlet 56. In some embodiments, the cooling fluid F entering the chamber 70 may enter the first portion 180 of the second recess 172, the impeller 140( Figure 4 ) may move the cooling fluid F within the first portion 180, and when the fluid contacts the protrusion 174, at least some of the fluid flows into the second portion 182 and into the second inlet 56. The second inlet 56 may be angled (e.g., not parallel thereto) relative to the circumferential direction, axial direction, radial direction, or a combination thereof.

[0035] Refer to Figure 8 , a schematic illustration of an aircraft 200 is shown having an engine 10, an AGB 12, and an electric machine 14. The engine 10 may be coupled to an output device 16 to cause one or more portions of the AGB 12 (such as the gear set 210 of the AGB 12) to rotate. The AGB 12 may rotate the rotor 32, such as via the gear set 210. The AGB 12 may include a reservoir 212 for the cooling fluid F and a pump 214 for the cooling fluid F. The pump 214 may pump the cooling fluid F to the gear set 210, the electric machine 14, or both. The cooling fluid F provided to the gear set 210 may cool, lubricate, or both the gear set 210.

[0036] The pump 214 may be fluidly coupled to the electric machine 14 (such as to the first inlet 50, the second outlet 58, or both). For example, the AGB 12 may include a first AGB fluid passageway 230 fluidly coupled to the pump 214, and operation of the pump 214 may provide fluid to the first inlet 50 through the first AGB fluid passageway 230 and to the first outlet 52 and the first nozzle 110 through the first fluid passageway 54. The fluid pressure or velocity provided by the pump 214 may be sufficient to cause the cooling fluid F that reaches and then exits the first nozzle 110 to flow across the non-contact interface 114 (such as across the axial gap 126) and into the second nozzle 112. The cooling fluid F may continue to flow through the third fluid passageway 84 and into the chamber 70. The impeller 140 may push the cooling fluid F into the second inlet 56, through the second fluid passageway 60, and out of the electric machine 14 via the second outlet 58. The cooling fluid F may then flow into the AGB 12, such as into a second AGB fluid passageway 232 fluidly coupled to the second fluid passageway 60 via the second outlet 58. At least a portion of the cooling fluid F received in the second AGB fluid passageway 232 may be provided to the gear set 210 for lubrication. The cooling fluid F returning from the electric machine 14 to the AGB 12 may have a higher temperature than the cooling fluid F provided to the electric machine 14 (e.g., due to cooling of portions of the electric machine 14), but the increased temperature may not substantially affect the utility of the cooling fluid F for lubricating the AGB 12 (such as the gear set 210). One or more other portions of the returned cooling fluid F may be provided to the reservoir 212 or other portions of the AGB 12, such as for cooling, lubrication, or a combination thereof.

[0037] Referring Figure 9 , a method 300 of operating an aircraft (such as Figure 8 an aircraft 200 having an engine 10, an AGB 12, and an electric machine 14) is shown. The method 300 includes driving the AGB 12 using the engine 10 (block 302) and driving the electric machine 14 using the AGB 12 (block 304) to generate electrical power. The method 300 includes providing (such as pumping) a cooling fluid F from the AGB 12 (such as from the reservoir 212 via the pump 214) to the electric machine 14 (such as to the first inlet 50) (block 306). The method 300 may include cooling the electric machine 14 (such as one or more portions of the housing 30, the rotor 32, or both) using the cooling fluid F from the AGB 12 (block 308). The method 300 may include returning the cooling fluid F to the AGB 12 (block 310), such as by the impeller 140 pushing the cooling fluid F through the second fluid passageway 60 and into the second AGB fluid passageway 232. The method 300 may include lubricating the AGB 12 (block 312), such as using the cooling fluid F returning from the electric machine 14, the cooling fluid F from the pump 214, or both.

[0038] Referring again to Figure 8 , the aircraft 200 may include a controller 250, which may include a processor 252 and a memory 254, among other components. The controller 250 may be operably coupled to and / or at least partially control the operation of the engine 10, AGB 12, electric machine 14, or a combination thereof. For example, the controller 250 may control the operation of the engine 10, AGB 12, and electric machine 14 to perform method 300, which may include operating pump 214 to provide a sufficient flow of cooling fluid F to cool electric machine 14 and lubricating AGB 12 with the cooling fluid F returning from electric machine 14.

[0039] Regarding some embodiments, the electric machine 14 is a dry sump machine. Additionally or alternatively, the electric machine 14 (including housing 30) does not have a pump. The engine assembly (e.g., a gas turbine engine assembly) may include the engine 10, AGB 12, and electric machine 14. The aircraft 200 may include the engine assembly.

[0040] Additional aspects of the present disclosure are provided by the subject matter of the following clauses:

[0041] An electric machine, comprising: a housing at least partially defining a chamber; a rotor disposed within the housing; and an impeller at least partially disposed within the chamber and coupled to the rotor.

[0042] The electric machine according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the housing at least partially defines a first fluid passage and a second fluid passage, the second fluid passage being in fluid communication with the chamber; wherein the rotor has a third fluid passage in fluid communication with the chamber; and wherein the electric machine further comprises: a first nozzle coupled to the housing and in fluid communication with the first fluid passage; a first outlet defined by the first nozzle; a first inlet in fluid communication with the first fluid passage; a second inlet and a second outlet in fluid communication with the second fluid passage; and a second nozzle coupled to the rotor, the second nozzle being at least partially aligned with the first nozzle and defining a third inlet in fluid communication with the third fluid passage; wherein the first nozzle is in fluid communication with the second nozzle via a non-contact interface.

[0043] The electric machine according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the first nozzle and the second nozzle partially overlap in the radial direction.

[0044] The electric machine according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the first nozzle and the impeller partially overlap in the radial direction.

[0045] The electric machine according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the first nozzle includes a converging configuration; and wherein the second nozzle includes a converging-diverging configuration.

[0046] The electric machine of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the second nozzle includes a sleeve disposed at least partially within the chamber; and a portion of the first nozzle is disposed within the sleeve.

[0047] The electric machine of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the impeller includes a set of blades extending from an outer surface of the sleeve and disposed within the chamber.

[0048] The electric machine of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the housing at least partially defines a first fluid passage and a second fluid passage, the second fluid passage being fluidly coupled to the chamber; wherein the rotor has a third fluid passage fluidly coupled to the chamber; and wherein the fluid path extends through the first fluid passage to the third fluid passage, through the third fluid passage to the chamber, from the chamber to the second fluid passage, and from the second fluid passage to the exterior of the housing.

[0049] The electric machine of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the rotor includes a rectifier disposed within or adjacent to the third fluid passage.

[0050] The electric machine of any of the preceding clauses, further comprising a plurality of coils disposed within the housing; wherein the first fluid passage extends adjacent to the plurality of coils.

[0051] The electric machine of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the housing at least partially defines a first fluid passage and a second fluid passage, the second fluid passage being fluidly coupled to the chamber; wherein the rotor has a third fluid passage fluidly coupled to the chamber; and wherein the electric machine further comprises: a first inlet and a first outlet fluidly coupled to the first fluid passage; a second inlet and a second outlet fluidly coupled to the second fluid passage; and a third inlet and a third outlet fluidly coupled to the third fluid passage; wherein the rotor includes a rotor shaft and a rotor body coupled to the rotor shaft; wherein the third fluid passage includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion; wherein the first portion extends through the rotor shaft from the third inlet to the second portion; wherein the second portion extends through the rotor body to the third portion; and wherein the third portion extends through the rotor shaft from the second portion to the third outlet.

[0052] The electric machine of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the third portion is disposed radially outward of the first portion.

[0053] The electric machine of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the impeller includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades; and wherein the third outlet is disposed between a neighboring pair of the plurality of circumferentially spaced blades.

[0054] The electric machine of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the impeller is mounted on the rotor shaft or integrally formed with the rotor shaft; and the impeller is configured to push fluid into the second inlet and through the second fluid passage to the exterior of the housing.

[0055] The electric machine of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the housing does not have a pump.

[0056] A component for an aircraft, the component comprising: an electric machine according to any of the preceding clauses, the housing of the electric machine at least partially defining a first fluid passageway; and an accessory gearbox (AGB) mechanically coupled to drive the electric machine, the AGB comprising: a pump; and an AGB fluid passageway fluidly coupled to the pump; wherein the AGB fluid passageway is fluidly coupled to the first fluid passageway of the electric machine.

[0057] The component according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the housing of the electric machine at least partially defines a second fluid passageway, and the AGB comprises a second AGB fluid passageway fluidly coupled to the second fluid passageway of the electric machine.

[0058] A method of operating an aircraft, the method comprising: driving an accessory gearbox (AGB) with an engine; driving an electric machine with the AGB; providing fluid from the AGB to the electric machine; cooling the electric machine with the fluid from the AGB; and returning the fluid from the electric machine to the AGB.

[0059] The method according to any of the preceding clauses, further comprising lubricating the AGB with the fluid returned from the electric machine.

[0060] The method according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein returning the fluid from the electric machine to the AGB includes an impeller coupled to the rotor shaft of the electric machine pushing the fluid through the fluid passageway of the electric machine.

[0061] The electric machine according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the electric machine is a dry cavity machine.

[0062] A gas turbine engine assembly comprising an electric machine according to any of the preceding clauses.

[0063] A gas turbine engine assembly comprising a component according to any of the preceding clauses.

[0064] An aircraft comprising an electric machine according to any of the preceding clauses.

[0065] An aircraft comprising a gas turbine engine assembly according to any of the preceding clauses.

[0066] An electronic controller comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the electronic controller is configured to perform the method according to any of the preceding clauses.

[0067] An electronic controller comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the electronic controller is configured to operate an electric machine according to any of the preceding clauses.

[0068] An electronic controller comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the electronic controller is configured to operate a gas turbine engine according to any of the preceding clauses.

[0069] An electronic controller according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein operating a gas turbine engine includes utilizing an engine-driven accessory gearbox (AGB); driving an electric machine using the AGB; supplying fluid from the AGB to the electric machine; cooling the electric machine using fluid from the AGB; and returning the fluid from the electric machine to the AGB.

[0070] An electronic controller according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein operating a gas turbine engine includes lubricating the AGB using the fluid returned from the electric machine.

[0071] An electronic controller according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein returning the fluid from the electric machine to the AGB includes an impeller coupled to the rotor shaft of the electric machine pushing the fluid through a fluid passage of the electric machine.

[0072] An electronic controller includes a processor and a memory, wherein the electronic controller is configured to operate a component according to any of the preceding clauses.

[0073] An electronic controller includes a processor and a memory, wherein the electronic controller is configured to operate an aircraft according to any of the preceding clauses.

[0074] A non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to perform a method according to any of the preceding clauses.

[0075] A non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to operate an electric machine according to any of the preceding clauses.

[0076] A non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to operate a gas turbine engine according to any of the preceding clauses.

[0077] A non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to operate a component according to any of the preceding clauses.

[0078] A non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to operate an aircraft according to any of the preceding clauses.

[0079] An aircraft includes at least one of an electric machine, an electronic controller, a component, a gas turbine engine, or a non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any of the preceding clauses.

[0080] Although aspects of the present disclosure are shown in an aircraft environment, the present disclosure is not so limited and may have applicability in a variety of environments.

[0081] The drawings illustrate non-limiting examples of an electric machine and its parts, and additional components such as power distribution nodes, converters, power protection members, etc. may be included in the electric machine but are not shown or described for the sake of brevity.

[0082] The order described in this disclosure is for purposes of understanding only and does not mean to limit in any way the aspects of this disclosure or the methods of applying the aspects of this disclosure, as it is to be understood that parts of the method may proceed in a different logical order, may include additional or intervening parts, or the parts described of the method may be divided into multiple parts, or the parts described of the method may be omitted without detracting from the described method.

[0083] In addition to those shown in the figures above, many other possible aspects and configurations are contemplated by this disclosure. Aspects disclosed herein include an electric machine having an induction generator and a converter in parallel, and the induction generator can switch between absorbing and supplementing the output of the induction generator to compensate for varying power demands. The technical effect is that the aspects described above enable a faster response to varying power demands via the solid-state components of the converter.

[0084] Within the scope not yet described, the different features and structures of the various aspects can be used in combination with each other as desired. That a feature is not shown in all aspects is not meant to be construed as it cannot be, but is for the sake of brevity of description. Thus, the various features of the different aspects can be mixed and matched as desired to form new aspects, whether or not the new aspects are explicitly described. Combinations or permutations of the features described herein are covered by this disclosure.

[0085] This written description uses examples to disclose the aspects of this disclosure, including the best mode, and also enables any person skilled in the art to practice the aspects of this disclosure, including making and using any device or system and performing any combined method. The patentable scope of this disclosure is defined by the claims and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. If such other examples have structural elements that are not different from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements that have insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims, such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims.

[0086] The various features of the different aspects can be mixed and matched as desired to form new aspects, whether or not the new aspects are explicitly described. Combinations or permutations of the features described herein are covered by this disclosure.

Claims

1. A motor, comprising: a housing at least partially defining a chamber; a rotor disposed in the housing; as well as An impeller is at least partially disposed in the chamber and coupled to the rotor.

2. The motor according to claim 1, wherein: the housing at least partially defining a first fluid passage and a second fluid passage, the second fluid passage fluidly coupled to the chamber; wherein the rotor has a third fluid passage fluidly coupled to the chamber; and Wherein, the motor further comprises: a first nozzle coupled to the housing and fluidly coupled to the first fluid passage; a first outlet defined by the first nozzle; a first inlet fluidly coupled to the first fluid passage; a second inlet and a second outlet, the second inlet and the second outlet fluidly coupled to the second fluid passage; a second nozzle coupled to the rotor, at least partially aligned with the first nozzle, and defining a third inlet fluidly coupled to the third fluid passage; and Wherein, the first nozzle is fluidly coupled to the second nozzle via a non-contact interface.

3. The motor according to claim 2, wherein: The first nozzle and the second nozzle partially overlap in a radial direction.

4. The motor according to claim 3, wherein: The first nozzle and the impeller partially overlap in the radial direction.

5. The motor according to claim 3, wherein: The first nozzle comprises a converging configuration; and Wherein, the second nozzle comprises a converging-diverging structure.

6. The motor according to claim 2, wherein: The second nozzle includes a sleeve at least partially disposed in the chamber; and A portion of the first nozzle is disposed in the sleeve.

7. The motor according to claim 6, wherein: The impeller includes a blade assembly extending from an outer surface of the sleeve and disposed in the chamber.

8. The motor according to claim 1, wherein: the housing at least partially defining a first fluid passage and a second fluid passage, the second fluid passage fluidly coupled to the chamber; wherein the rotor has a third fluid passage fluidly coupled to the chamber; and Wherein, a fluid path extends through the first fluid passage to the third fluid passage, through the third fluid passage to the chamber, from the chamber to the second fluid passage, and from the second fluid passage to the exterior of the housing.

9. The electric machine according to claim 8, wherein: The rotor includes a rectifier disposed in or adjacent to the third fluid passage.

10. The motor according to claim 9, further comprising a plurality of coils disposed in the housing; in, The first fluid passage extends adjacent the plurality of coils.

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