FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to a propulsor, and more specifically a propulsor including an electric motor and a thrust control system.

BACKGROUND

Electrified transportation is an area of growing opportunity due to improved charge to weight ratios in various types of batteries. Additionally, there is interest in reducing carbon emissions by turning to electric or hybrid-electric transportation that can use at least some energy from renewable sources. Moreover, electric or hybrid-electric transportation is often quieter than alternative means of transport relying solely on combustion engines.

Air transportation is included in the drive toward more electrified means of travel. In particular, propulsion units that produce thrust for aircraft via electrically driven fans or propellers are being explored as alternatives for conventional, pure-combustion driven alternatives. The incorporation of electrically-driven propulsion units in aircraft provide a number of opportunities for optimizing overall aircraft design and maneuverability.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure may comprise one or more of the following features and combinations thereof.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a propulsor adapted to produce thrust for use in an aircraft may include an electric motor and a fan unit. The electric motor converts electrical power to mechanical rotation of the fan unit. The fan unit being rotationally coupled to the electric motor.

In illustrative embodiments, the propulsor further includes a thrust control system positioned aft of the fan unit. The thrust control system interacts with accelerated air as it leaves the fan unit and may provide a variable area nozzle and/or a thrust reverser. The thrust control system can also provide for thrust vectoring in some embodiments.

These and other features of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description of the illustrative embodiments.

