Hybrid Aircraft Engine Control for Overrunning Clutch Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid aircraft power plants face challenges in optimizing architecture to allow independent operation of thermal engines and electric motors, while minimizing parts, reducing production and maintenance costs, and enhancing reliability and weight efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating a hybrid aircraft power plant with a propeller, electric motor, and thermal engine, using an overrunning clutch to manage controllable parameters like fuel flow and electric power to avoid undesired clutch behavior, including risk analysis and modulation to ensure safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the overrunning clutch is used to allow independent operation of thermal engine and electric motor, then operational versatility is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of undesired clutch behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary risk assessment of clutch behavior before executing power parameter adjustments. By evaluating whether desired clutch disengagement will occur and preemptively modifying power parameters if risk is detected, the system prevents undesired clutch behavior while maintaining operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors clutch state and power parameters, using feedback loops to detect conditions that may lead to undesired clutch behavior. The control unit adjusts power parameters based on real-time clutch state feedback, ensuring reliable operation while preserving operational versatility.
2Ease of manufacture
If the number of parts is reduced to lower production and maintenance costs, then manufacturing cost is improved, but device complexity increases due to integration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit integrates multiple functions including thermal engine control, electric motor control, clutch state monitoring, and risk assessment algorithms into a single centralized control system. This merging reduces the number of separate control components and simplifies manufacturing while managing complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The overrunning clutch is designed to serve multiple operational modes including engine-driven operation, electric motor-driven operation, and coasting modes. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace what would otherwise require multiple specialized components, reducing manufacturing costs while the control system manages the increased operational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The method can include operating the hybrid aircraft power plant in a first mode of operation in which a plurality of controllable parameters including a fuel flow to the thermal engine and an electric power to the electric motor has a first set of values corresponding to a first power output; receiving a requested power output; determining a second set of values of the one or more of the controllable parameters to bring first power output to the requested power output; determining whether said second set of values poses a risk of undesired clutch behavior; and when the second set of values poses the risk, modulating the second set of values to avoid the risk and setting the plurality of controllable parameters to the modulated second set of values.