System and methods for power split algorithm design for aircraft hybrid electric propulsion based on combined actor-critic RL agent and control barrier function filter

• Main Authors: Kumar, Pratyush, Ilak, Milos, Al-Nadawi, Yasir
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 09.07.2024
• Subjects: AIRCRAFT; ARRANGEMENTS OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSIONTRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; BLASTING; COSMONAUTICS; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLYING SUITS; HEATING; LIGHTING; MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAMTURBINES; PARACHUTES; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; STEAM ENGINES; TRANSPORTING; WEAPONS

A method for a hybrid electric propulsion (HEP) system includes utilizing a soft actor-critic agent, which includes at least one neural network, and a control barrier function (CBF) filter to obtain a power splitting profile for an HEP system. The power splitting profile includes an electric motor power for an electric motor of the HEP system and a gas turbine power for a gas turbine of the HEP system. The electric motor power and gas turbine power collectively provide a combined HEP output power. The method also includes, during a flight of an aircraft that includes the HEP system, performing an output action for the HEP system based on the power splitting profile. The utilizing is performed based on a predefined fuel consumption objective and a state of charge of at least one battery that powers the electric motor. A system for a HEP system is also disclosed.