18351735. HYBRID-ELECTRIC PROPULSION SYSTEM EQUIPPED WITH A COUPLER FOR SWITCHING BETWEEN MODES OF OPERATION simplified abstract (General Electric Company)

HYBRID-ELECTRIC PROPULSION SYSTEM EQUIPPED WITH A COUPLER FOR SWITCHING BETWEEN MODES OF OPERATION

Organization Name

General Electric Company

Inventor(s)

Darek Tomasz Zatorski of Fort Wright IN (US)

Kurt David Murrow of Springboro OH (US)

Paul Robert Gemin of Cincinnati OH (US)

Philip M. Cioffi of Schaghticoke NY (US)

John Russell Yagielski of Scotia NY (US)

HYBRID-ELECTRIC PROPULSION SYSTEM EQUIPPED WITH A COUPLER FOR SWITCHING BETWEEN MODES OF OPERATION - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18351735 titled 'HYBRID-ELECTRIC PROPULSION SYSTEM EQUIPPED WITH A COUPLER FOR SWITCHING BETWEEN MODES OF OPERATION

Simplified Explanation

The propulsion assembly described in the patent application includes a system that allows for selective coupling and decoupling of torque sources to achieve specific operational goals.

• The first and second torque sources are coupled via a coupler, which enables the transfer of torque between the two sources.
• When a command is given to decouple the first torque source, an unloading operation is initiated to decrease the torque output of the first source to a certain threshold, at which point the first shaft is decoupled from the coupler.
• If the first torque source is coupled but the second is not, a speed matching operation is performed in response to a command to couple the second torque source. This operation increases the speed of the second shaft to match that of the first shaft, after which the second shaft is coupled to the coupler.

Potential Applications

The technology described in this patent application could be applied in various propulsion systems, such as marine propulsion systems, automotive drivetrains, and industrial machinery.

Problems Solved

This technology solves the problem of efficiently managing torque transfer between multiple torque sources in a propulsion system, allowing for precise control over the operation of the system.

Benefits

The benefits of this technology include improved efficiency, enhanced control over torque output, and the ability to optimize performance based on specific operational requirements.

Potential Commercial Applications

Potential commercial applications of this technology include marine vessels, hybrid vehicles, heavy machinery, and other systems that require precise torque management for optimal performance.

Possible Prior Art

One possible prior art for this technology could be similar propulsion systems used in the aerospace industry, where multiple torque sources are often employed to achieve specific performance goals.

How does this technology compare to traditional propulsion systems in terms of efficiency and performance?

This article does not provide a direct comparison between this technology and traditional propulsion systems in terms of efficiency and performance. Further research and testing would be needed to determine the advantages and limitations of this technology compared to existing systems.

What are the potential maintenance requirements for a propulsion assembly utilizing this technology?

The article does not address the potential maintenance requirements for a propulsion assembly utilizing this technology. Understanding the maintenance needs and costs associated with this system would be crucial for potential users and operators.

Original Abstract Submitted

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.