Autorotative Enhancement System

Abstract

A system and method for providing a supplemental power includes: an engine, a transmission coupled to the engine, a motor-generator coupled to the transmission, and a battery system coupled to the motor-generator. The motor-generator is configured to draw an energy from the transmission and store the energy in the battery system when the engine is driving the transmission. The battery system is configured to discharge the energy to the motor-generator, and the motor-generator is configured to provide the supplemental power to the transmission.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A system for providing a supplemental power comprising:
 an engine;   a transmission coupled to the engine;   a motor-generator coupled to the transmission;   a battery system coupled to the motor-generator;   wherein the motor-generator is configured to draw an energy from the transmission and store the energy in the battery system when the engine is driving the transmission; and   wherein the battery system is configured to discharge the energy to the motor-generator, and the motor-generator is configured to provide the supplemental power to the transmission.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the supplemental power is provided during a normal operation of the engine. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the supplemental power is provided in response to a loss of engine power. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller in communication with the motor-generator. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the controller automatically triggers the motor-generator to provide the supplemental power. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the controller is configured to provide an indication of an amount of the energy stored in the battery system. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the controller is configured to receive one or more commands from a pilot. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising one or more sensors coupled to the controller. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more sensors detect one or more of an engine rpm, a rotor rpm, a speed, a descent rate, an altitude, and an amount of the energy stored in the battery system. 
     
     
         10 . A method of providing a supplemental power comprising:
 providing an engine, a transmission coupled to the engine, a motor-generator coupled to the transmission, and a battery system coupled to the motor-generator;   drawing an energy from the transmission using the motor-generator and storing the energy in the battery system when the engine is driving the transmission; and   discharging the energy from the battery system to the motor-generator, and driving the transmission using the motor-generator to provide the supplemental power.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising providing the supplemental power during a normal operation of the engine. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising providing the supplemental power in response to a loss of engine power. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising providing a controller in communication with the motor-generator. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising automatically triggering the motor-generator using the controller to provide the supplemental power. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to provide an indication of an amount of the energy stored in the battery system. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to receive one or more commands from a pilot. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising providing one or more sensors coupled to the controller. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising detecting one or more of an engine rpm, a rotor rpm, a speed, a descent rate, an altitude, and an amount of the energy stored in the battery system or the hydraulic accumulator using the one or more sensors. 
     
     
         19 . A system for providing a supplemental power comprising:
 an engine;   a motor-generator coupled to a rotor system;   a battery system coupled to the motor-generator;   wherein the motor-generator is configured to draw an energy from the engine and store the energy in the battery system when the engine is operational; and   wherein the battery system is configured to discharge the energy to the motor-enerator, and the motor-generator is configured to provide the supplemental power to the rotor system.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the supplemental power is provided during a normal operation of the engine. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the supplemental power is provided in response to a loss of engine power. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller in communication with the motor-generator. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the controller automatically triggers the motor-generator to provide the supplemental power. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the controller is configured to provide an indication of an amount of the energy stored in the battery system. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the controller is configured to receive one or more commands from a pilot. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 22 , further comprising one or more sensors coupled to the controller. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the one or more sensors detect one or more of an engine rpm, a rotor rpm, a speed, a descent rate, an altitude, and an amount of the energy stored in the battery system.