Abstract: A battery heating system for a hybrid aircraft powertrain includes a combustion engine, a battery pack, a combustion engine coolant circuit, and a battery pack coolant circuit. The battery heating system further includes a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the combustion engine coolant circuit and the battery pack coolant circuit. The battery heating system further includes at least one throttling device operatively connected to one of the combustion engine coolant circuit or the battery pack coolant circuit. The battery heating system further includes a controller configured to transmit a signal to the at least one throttling device to adjust a flow of coolant through the heat exchanger of at least one of the combustion engine coolant circuit or the battery pack coolant circuit.

Abstract: A hybrid-electric genset includes a direct current (DC) bus, an engine, and an electric generator configured to receive mechanical power from the engine and generate first alternating current (AC) power. The hybrid-electric genset further includes an inverter configured to convert the first AC power to DC power and output the DC power to the DC bus. The hybrid-electric genset further includes a controller configured to control the engine to increase or decrease the AC power output by the electric generator. The DC bus is configured to attach to at least one battery pack or supercapacitor. The at least one battery pack or supercapacitor is configured to maintain a nominal voltage of the DC bus approximately at a nominal battery pack voltage of the at least one battery pack.

Abstract: An aircraft powerplant includes an engine having an output power shaft. The aircraft powerplant further includes a power transmission coupled to the output power shaft of the engine. The power transmission is configured to divide power output of the engine between a mechanical power output and an electrical power output. A majority of the power output from the engine is adjustable to output to either of the mechanical power output or the electrical power output. The aircraft powerplant further includes a propulsion mechanism coupled to the mechanical power output. The aircraft powerplant further includes a control system configured to cause the power transmission to deliver the majority of the power output of the engine to the propulsion mechanism to generate thrust or deliver the majority of the power output of the engine as electrical power output via the electrical power output.

Abstract: An enclosure for an aircraft powerplant includes an air inlet, an air outlet, and at least one sidewall forming the enclosure and fluidly connecting the air inlet and the air outlet. The enclosure further includes a cavity configured to house at least one component of the aircraft powerplant. The cavity is within the enclosure and formed by the at least one sidewall. The enclosure further includes a noise reduction chamber comprising a plurality of channels configured to permit air to pass through the noise reduction chamber.

Abstract: A hybrid aircraft powerplant includes a turbine engine having a first shaft configured to output power from the turbine engine, a bypass fan, and an electric machine. The hybrid aircraft powerplant further includes a first mechanism configured to selectively engage the first shaft with a second shaft connected to the electric machine such that the power is output from the turbine engine to the electric machine. The hybrid aircraft powerplant further includes a second mechanism configured to selectively engage the first shaft with a third shaft connected to the bypass fan to output the power from the turbine engine to the bypass fan.

Abstract: A turbocharger includes a compressor configured to compress intake air for an engine. The turbocharger further includes an electric motor configured to power the compressor. The turbocharger further includes a turbine configured to receive exhaust air from the engine. The turbocharger further includes an electric generator configured to be driven by the turbine to generate electric power.

Abstract: A lever for adjusting output of a hybrid-electric powerplant of an aircraft includes a lever configured to move over an overall range of positions. Movement of the lever adjusts the output of the hybrid-electric powerplant between at least two modes of operation. In a first subset of positions within the overall range of positions, the hybrid electric powerplant is configured to operate an engine having a mechanical output, output first electrical energy from a motor/generator driven by the mechanical output of the engine, and drive a propulsion mechanism by the mechanical output of the engine. In a second subset of positions within the overall range of positions, the hybrid electric powerplant is configured to operate the engine having the mechanical output, receive second electrical energy at the motor/generator, drive the mechanical output with the motor/generator using the second electrical energy, and drive the propulsion mechanism by the mechanical output.

Abstract: An aerospace hybrid powertrain system includes an engine, a power shaft, and an electric machine having the power shaft therein or passing therethrough. The aerospace hybrid powertrain system further includes a fan, impeller, or blower connected to the power shaft and configured to direct air toward components of at least one of the engine or the electric machine. The fan, impeller, or blower may further be configured to direct air toward cooling elements such as heat exchangers or finned heat sinks arranged to cool the components of at least one of the piston combustion engine or the electric machine.

Abstract: An energy source for an aircraft includes an enclosure, an engine, an electric generator, and at least one fuel tank configured to provide fuel to the engine; and electrical connectors for outputting power generated by the electric generator to at least one electrical component or electrical bus of the aircraft. The engine, the electric generator, and the at least one fuel tank are each housed within the enclosure.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain system includes an engine, an electric machine having a power shaft therein, and a clutch configured to releasably engage an output of the engine and the power shaft of the electric machine. The electric machine further includes an electrical output. The power shaft is configured to mechanically attach to and provide mechanical power to a propulsion device. A controller is configured to control the engine, the electric machine, and the clutch to implement one or more power output modes.

Abstract: An aircraft safety system includes impact energy reduction systems including: an aircraft parachute, at least one rotor configured for autorotation, and an energy absorbing system. An automatic control system uses data from speed and altitude sensors to selectively and sequentially deploy the impact energy reduction systems depending on the portion of the aircraft speed and altitude flight envelope in which the aircraft is operating when an emergency is detected.

Abstract: An aircraft is configured with a propulsion system having a rotor with both cyclic and collective control, and an axis of rotation about which the propulsion system rotates with respect to the fuselage. A control system is configured to use torque generated through cyclic control of the rotor to reposition the propulsion system around the axis of rotation without the need for an independent actuator mechanism to rotate the propulsion system, thus reducing the weight and mechanical complexity of the aircraft. The control system may also utilize the torque provided by one or more rotors to position one or more wings with respect to the airflow over the aircraft, exerting torque on the aircraft to control the direction of the aircraft.

Abstract: A battery heating system for a hybrid aircraft powertrain includes a combustion engine, a battery pack, a combustion engine coolant circuit, and a battery pack coolant circuit. The battery heating system further includes a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the combustion engine coolant circuit and the battery pack coolant circuit. The battery heating system further includes at least one throttling device operatively connected to one of the combustion engine coolant circuit or the battery pack coolant circuit. The battery heating system further includes a controller configured to transmit a signal to the at least one throttling device to adjust a flow of coolant through the heat exchanger of at least one of the combustion engine coolant circuit or the battery pack coolant circuit.

Abstract: An aircraft safety system includes impact energy reduction systems including: an aircraft parachute, at least one rotor configured for autorotation, and an energy absorbing system. An automatic control system uses data from speed and altitude sensors to selectively and sequentially deploy the impact energy reduction systems depending on the portion of the aircraft speed and altitude flight envelope in which the aircraft is operating when an emergency is detected.

Abstract: An aircraft is configured with a propulsion system having a rotor with both cyclic and collective control, and an axis of rotation about which the propulsion system rotates with respect to the fuselage. A control system is configured to use torque generated through cyclic control of the rotor to reposition the propulsion system around the axis of rotation without the need for an independent actuator mechanism to rotate the propulsion system, thus reducing the weight and mechanical complexity of the aircraft. The control system may also utilize the torque provided by one or more rotors to position one or more wings with respect to the airflow over the aircraft, exerting torque on the aircraft to control the direction of the aircraft.

Abstract: A training garment for a child is provided which includes a decorative article capable of association with adult behavior in the mind of the wearer of the garment, and which thus assists in the cognitive development of a desire to employ toilet facilities.