A Hybrid Power Generation System for Unmanned Vessels with Configurable Generator Architecture and Advanced Power Quality Management

1 . A hybrid power generation system for an unmanned vessel, comprising:

a gas turbine configured to provide mechanical power for vessel propulsion;

a secondary electrical generator configured in at least one of:

(i) an independent engine driven generator, and

(ii) a generator mechanically coupled to the gas turbine via a power take-off (PTO) shaft;

an electrical distribution bus electrically coupled to the secondary generator;

at least one variable frequency drive (VFD) configured to control an electric thruster powered from the electrical distribution bus;

a harmonic mitigation subsystem electrically coupled to the electrical distribution bus; and

a power management system (PMS) configured to autonomously manage power flow among the gas turbine, the secondary generator, and the electrical distribution bus,

wherein the PMS monitors power quality metrics including at least harmonic distortion and frequency variation and dynamically controls at least one of generation, filtering, or load allocation to maintain stable electrical power for VFD-controlled thruster and sensitive vessel systems.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the secondary generator is mechanically coupled to the gas turbine via the PTO shaft and produces variable-frequency alternating current dependent on gas turbine rotational speed,

and wherein the system further comprises a power electronics module configured to:

rectify the variable-frequency alternating current to direct current; and

invert the direct current to a regulated alternating current having a substantially fixed frequency suitable for distribution on the electrical distribution bus.

3 . An unmanned surface vessel, comprising:

a gas turbine providing primary propulsion;

a hybrid power generation system according to claim 1 ;

at least one electric thruster controlled by a variable frequency drive; and

onboard automation, control, and communication systems powered by the electrical distribution bus,

wherein the hybrid power generation system is configured to operate autonomously without onboard human intervention.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the secondary generator comprises an independent diesel engine-generator operating at a fixed nominal electrical frequency.

5 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a battery energy storage system electrically coupled to the electrical distribution bus and controlled by a battery management system.

6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the battery energy storage system is configured to provide at least one of:

peak load support during high electrical demand events;

transient power during generator transitions; or

emergency backup power for mission-critical systems.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the harmonic mitigation subsystem comprises at least one of:

passive harmonic filters;

active harmonic compensation units;

isolation transformers; or

waveform correction software implemented in power electronics or inverters.

8 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a dual-bus electrical architecture including:

a primary electrical bus supplying propulsion loads; and

a secondary electrically isolated bus supplying sensitive loads,

wherein the secondary bus is electrically isolated from the primary bus by at least one isolation transformer or filter.

9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the sensitive loads comprise at least one of sensors, programmable logic controllers, navigation equipment, communication systems, or weapon systems.

10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the PMS is configured to continuously monitor total harmonic distortion on the electrical distribution bus and dynamically adjusts filters or reroutes power flows to protect critical systems.

11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the PMS dynamically allocates electrical load among the gas turbine, secondary generator, and battery system to optimize at least one of fuel efficiency, emissions, or power quality.

12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the harmonic mitigation subsystem is configured to protect the variable frequency drive controlled thruster from voltage distortion and frequency instability from other electrical loads.

13 . A method of operating a hybrid power generation system on an unmanned vessel, comprising:

generating mechanical propulsion power using a gas turbine;

generating electrical power using a secondary generator configured as either a PTO-driven generator or an independent engine driven generator;

distributing the electrical power to an electrical bus supplying at least one VFD-controlled thruster;

monitoring electrical power quality including harmonic distortion and frequency variation; and

autonomously adjusting at least one of power generation, filtering, frequency regulation, or load allocation to maintain stable electrical power.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein generating electrical power using the PTO-driven generator further comprises:

producing variable-frequency alternating current as a function of gas turbine speed;

converting the variable-frequency alternating current to direct current; and

converting the direct current to regulated alternating current at a substantially fixed frequency prior to distribution.

15 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising automatically detecting electrical conditions and reconfiguring power sources or loads without human intervention.