Hybrid VTOL Powertrain Control for Battery SOC Stability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Vertical take-off and landing aerial vehicles with electromotive powertrains face challenges in maintaining battery state of charge (SOC) at a predetermined level, particularly during landing steps, leading to insufficient motor output and affecting flight control, which can be addressed by increasing battery capacity but results in increased weight and costs.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid powertrain control system where the rotor driving motor is connected to a rotor, a battery is connected to the motor, and an engine and generator are connected to the battery to charge and discharge it, with a control device managing engine and generator operation based on motor power requirements and battery SOC across flight steps to maintain the battery at a predetermined level or higher.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If battery capacity is increased to maintain SOC at predetermined level, then battery SOC is maintained, but vehicle weight and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery SOC maintenanceVSAvoidvehicle weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the battery with an engine-generator system to form a hybrid powertrain. The engine-generator acts as a mobile charging station that can recharge the battery during flight operations, eliminating the need for oversized battery capacity while maintaining SOC reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-charging capability where the engine-generator recharges the battery during cruising or idle phases. This self-service mechanism allows the vehicle to maintain battery SOC without external charging infrastructure or excessively large battery capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If battery capacity is increased to maintain SOC at predetermined level, then battery SOC is maintained, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery SOC maintenanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the battery system with an engine-generator system, allowing the use of a smaller, more cost-effective battery while the engine-generator provides supplemental charging capability during flight operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes operational parameters by switching between battery-only mode and hybrid mode (battery + engine-generator). This allows optimization of battery capacity requirements while maintaining SOC through engine-powered charging when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If engine and generator are added to form hybrid powertrain, then battery SOC is maintained through charging, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery SOC maintenanceVSAvoidpowertrain complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The engine-generator system serves multiple functions: it can generate electricity to charge the battery, directly drive the rotor for propulsion, or operate in idle mode for catalyst heating. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing versatile operational capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The control device continuously monitors battery SOC levels and flight conditions, then automatically regulates engine and generator operation accordingly. This feedback control simplifies the management of the hybrid system by automating the coordination between multiple power sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach ensures stable flight by maintaining battery SOC, reduces exhaust gas through catalyst heating, enables engine self-diagnosis, and decreases battery capacity needs, thereby lowering costs and excluding external charging components.

Implementation Method 1

a generator connected to the battery to charge and discharge the battery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a battery connected to the rotor driving motor to supply power to the motor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical energy conversion: Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 3

a rotor driving motor directly connected to a rotor, a battery connected to the rotor driving motor to supply power to the motor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentUS11891960B2Powertrain control system and method of VTOL aerial vehicle

Publication Date: 2024.02.06 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A powertrain control system is provided for a vertical take-off and landing aerial vehicle for urban air mobility. A powertrain of the vertical take-off and landing aerial vehicle is a hybrid type powertrain, in which the output shaft of a rotor driving motor is directly connected to a rotor, a battery is connected to the rotor driving motor to supply power thereto, and an engine and a generator are connected to a battery to charge and discharge the battery. The driving of the engine and the generator is controlled based on required power of the motor and the SOC of the battery in each flight step of the vertical take-off and landing aerial vehicle, and the SOC of the battery is constantly maintained at a predetermined level or higher.