Integrated electric propulsion unit

US11794913B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Boeing Company · US

Inventors

• Frederic Lacaux · Kirkland, US
• Kamiar J. Karimi · Kirkland, US
• Eugene V. Solodovnik · Kenmore, US
• Aaron J. Kutzmann · Long Beach, US
• Patrick R. Darmstadt · Claymont, US
• Mary E. Beckman · West Chester, US
• Alejandro Silva · Rancho Santa Margarita, US
• Nicholas J. Silveri · Long Beach, US
• Esther S. Zidovetzki · Santa Monica, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 16, 2021
• Grant date: Oct 24, 2023
• Expiry date: Nov 29, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T50/60
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An electric propulsion unit comprising a housing, an AC motor, a beta rod, a propeller, a governor, an inverter, and a controller. The AC motor is disposed within the housing and includes bearings supported inside the housing, a hollow motor shaft rotatably coupled to the housing by the bearings, a stator which is supported by the housing, and a rotor which is mounted to the hollow motor shaft. The beta rod is axially translatable inside the hollow motor shaft. The propeller is mechanically coupled to the hollow motor shaft. The propeller includes propeller blades having an adjustable pitch angle which depends on an axial position of the beta rod. The governor is configured to adjust a pitch angle of the propeller blades by actuating axial translation of the beta rod. The controller is disposed inside the housing and configured to control the pitch angle of the propeller blades.