Hybrid-Electric Propulsion Coupler for Torque and Speed Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid-electric propulsion systems face challenges in balancing and shifting power between electric and gas turbine engines, and safely coupling/decoupling these components for efficient and safe operation.
Innovation Solution
A coupler mechanism is introduced to selectively mechanically couple and decouple the electric machine, propulsor, and gas turbine engine, allowing for smooth transitions between operation modes by synchronizing speeds and torques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional decoupling methods are used to separate electric machine and gas turbine engine components, then safety and operational efficiency are improved, but the system becomes cumbersome and requires permanent disconnection solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the Dynamics principle by implementing a reversible coupler mechanism that can dynamically transition between coupled and decoupled states. The coupler includes movable elements (such as dog engagement features and actuation mechanisms) that allow the system to adapt its configuration based on operational requirements, enabling safe separation of components without permanent disconnection and reducing system complexity compared to traditional fixed decoupling methods
2Productivity
If permanent disconnection methods are used to decouple components, then operational efficiency is improved, but maintenance efforts increase and system adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The reversible coupler mechanism enables dynamic reconfiguration, allowing the system to switch between coupled and decoupled states as needed. This maintains operational efficiency when coupled while restoring adaptability when decoupling is required, eliminating the need for permanent disconnection and enabling repeated operational cycles without maintenance intervention
3Ease of operation
If smooth transitions between operation modes are achieved by synchronizing speeds and torques, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler mechanism serves as an intermediary device that manages the transition between coupled and decoupled states. It includes synchronization features (such as speed and torque matching mechanisms) that facilitate smooth mode transitions, while the modular design of the coupler itself limits the increase in overall system complexity by providing a dedicated, self-contained transition management system
Data Source
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AI summary
A propulsion assembly includes a first torque source coupled with a first shaft and a second torque source coupled with a second shaft. A coupler selectively couples the first and second torque sources. When the first and second torque sources are coupled via the coupler, in response to a command to decouple the first torque source, an unloading operation is performed to decrease the torque output provided by the first torque source to a threshold, and when reached, the first shaft is decoupled from the coupler. When the first torque source is coupled with the coupler but the second torque source is not, in response to a command to couple the second torque source, a speed matching operation is performed to increase the speed of the second shaft to match a speed of the first shaft, and when the speeds are matched, the second shaft is coupled to the coupler.