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 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: 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: 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.