Power generation and distribution for vehicle propulsion

Abstract

An aerial vehicle includes a hybrid power generation system comprising an engine; a generator mechanically coupled to the engine; and a propulsion system comprising an electric motor electrically coupled to the generator and a rotational mechanism coupled to the electric motor.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An aerial vehicle comprising:
 multiple propulsion systems, each propulsion system comprising:
 a rotational mechanism, 
 a motor mechanically coupled to the rotational mechanism, and 
 a propulsion control unit configured to control the motor, the operation of each propulsion control unit being independent from the operation of each other propulsion control unit; and 
   an energy generation system comprising:
 an engine, 
 a generator mechanically coupled to the engine and configured to output electrical energy to the motor of each of the multiple propulsion systems, and 
 a power generation control unit configured to control operation of the power generation system, the power generation control unit operable independently from the operation of each of the propulsion control units. 
   
     
     
         3 . The aerial vehicle of  claim 2 , in which the engine is configured to produce a single rotational output that is provided to the generator. 
     
     
         4 . The aerial vehicle of  claim 2 , in which the rotational mechanism of each propulsion system comprises a propeller. 
     
     
         5 . The aerial vehicle of  claim 2 , in which the rotational mechanism of each propulsion system comprises a fan. 
     
     
         6 . The aerial vehicle of  claim 2 , in which the motor of each propulsion system comprises an electric motor. 
     
     
         7 . The aerial vehicle of  claim 2 ,
 in which the engine of the energy generation system is configured to produce mechanical power, and   in which the generator of the energy generation system is configured to convert the mechanical power from the engine into the electrical energy output to the motors.   
     
     
         8 . The aerial vehicle of  claim 2 , in which the energy generation system comprises a rechargeable battery configured to provide electrical energy to the motor of each of the propulsion systems. 
     
     
         9 . The aerial vehicle of  claim 2 , in which the generator is configured to output electrical energy to the rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         10 . The aerial vehicle of  claim 2 , comprising a sensing system, the generator being configured to output electrical energy to the sensing system. 
     
     
         11 . The aerial vehicle of  claim 2 , comprising a communications system, the generator being configured to output electrical energy to the communications system. 
     
     
         12 . The aerial vehicle of  claim 2 , in which the propulsion systems are located remote from the power generation system. 
     
     
         13 . The aerial vehicle of  claim 12 , in which each propulsion system is located on a wing of the aerial vehicle and the energy generation system is located on a body of the aerial vehicle. 
     
     
         14 . A method comprising:
 controlling operation of each of multiple propulsion systems, including, for each propulsion system:
 in a motor of the propulsion system, converting electrical energy into rotational mechanical energy; 
 driving rotation of a rotational mechanism of the propulsion system using the rotational mechanical energy from the motor of the propulsion system, 
 in which the propulsion system is controlled independently of each other propulsion system; and 
   generating energy in an energy generation system of an aerial vehicle, including:
 generating mechanical energy in an engine; 
 converting the mechanical energy into electrical energy in a generator, the generator being mechanically coupled to the engine, the electrical energy being provided to the motor of each of the propulsion systems; and 
   controlling operation of the energy generation system independently from controlling the operation of each of the multiple propulsion systems.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , in which controlling operation of the energy generation system comprises controlling operation of the engine. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , in which controlling operation of the engine comprises controlling the engine to produce a single rotational output that is provided to the generator. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising driving rotation of the rotational mechanism of a particular propulsion system independently from driving rotation of the rotational mechanism of each other propulsion system. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , in which controlling operation of each of the multiple propulsion systems is independent from controlling operation of the energy generation system. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising storing electrical energy from the generator in a rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , comprising providing electrical energy from the rechargeable battery to the motor of at least one of the propulsion systems. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14 ,
 in which controlling operation of a first propulsion system comprises driving rotation of the rotational mechanism of the first propulsion system in a first direction, and   in which controlling operation of a second propulsion system comprises driving rotation of the rotational mechanism of the second propulsion system in a second direction different from the first direction.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 14 ,
 in which controlling operation of a first propulsion system comprises driving rotation of the rotational mechanism of the first propulsion system at a first speed, and   in which controlling operation of a second propulsion system comprises driving rotation of the rotational mechanism of the second propulsion system at a second speed different from the first speed.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising providing electrical energy from the generator to a sensing system. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising providing electrical energy from the generator to a communications system.