Pulsed power hybrid electric unmanned underwater vehicle propulsion system
An unmanned underwater vehicle propulsion system includes a turbine engine having a mechanical output, an electrical generator including a mechanical connection to the mechanical output, and an electrical input/output. At least one power bus connects the electrical input/output to one of a motor drive and a motor. A rechargeable energy storage system is connected to the at least one power bus and is configured to provide power to the power bus in at least a first mode and receive power from the power bus in a second mode. A controller is configured to control at least one of the electrical generator, the motor drive, the motor, and the rechargeable energy source.
1. An unmanned underwater vehicle propulsion system comprising:
a turbine engine including a mechanical output and a combustor connected to a partial admission axial turbine via a supersonic nozzle;
an electrical generator including a mechanical connection to the mechanical output, and an electrical input/output;
at least one power bus connecting the electrical input/output to one of a motor drive and a motor;
a rechargeable energy storage system connected to the at least one power bus and configured to provide power to the power bus in at least a first mode and receive power from the power bus in a second mode; and
a controller configured to control at least one of the electrical generator, the motor drive, the motor, and the rechargeable energy source.
2. The unmanned underwater vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the combustor is connected to a first tank and a second tank such that a fuel in the first tank and an oxidizer in the second tank are mixed in the combustor.
3. The unmanned underwater vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the electrical generator is a voltage controlled permanent magnet generator.
4. The unmanned underwater vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising a propulsor drivably connected to the motor.
5. The unmanned underwater vehicle propulsion system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one power bus comprises, a direct current (DC) bus connecting a first rectifier/inverter to a second rectifier/inverter.
6. The unmanned underwater vehicle propulsion system of claim 5 , further comprising an alternating current (AC) bus parallel to the DC bus.
7. The unmanned underwater vehicle propulsion system of claim 6 , wherein the AC bus includes a set of power contactors configured to open and close the AC bus, and wherein the first rectifier/inverter is connected to a generator side of the set of power contactors and the second rectifier/inverter is connected to a motor side of the set of power contactors.
8. The unmanned underwater vehicle propulsion system of claim 6 , wherein the rechargeable energy storage system is connected to the DC bus.
9. The unmanned underwater vehicle propulsion system of claim 5 , wherein the first rectifier/inverter is connected to an electrical output of the electrical generator, and the second rectifier/inverter is connected to an electrical input of the motor drive.
10. The unmanned underwater vehicle propulsion system of claim 9 , wherein the rechargeable energy storage system is connected to the DC bus via a DC to DC converter.
11. The unmanned underwater vehicle propulsion system of claim 1 , wherein the controller includes a memory storing instructions for causing the propulsion system to repeatedly cycle between a turbine operation mode and a DC supply operation mode.
12. The unmanned underwater vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the rechargeable energy storage device is configured in a recharge mode while the propulsion system is in the turbine operation mode.
13. The unmanned underwater vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the rechargeable energy storage device is configured in a supply power mode while the propulsion system is in the DC supply operation mode.