Patent ID: 7518254

Claim:
A propulsion system, comprising: (a) a plurality of prime power systems, each prime power system comprising; a prime power source device; and an energy conversion device operable to convert energy output by the prime power device into direct current electrical energy; (b) a direct current bus connecting the plurality of prime power systems, the direct current bus being operable to carry the direct current electrical energy to and/or from the prime power systems; (c) a voltage sensor for measuring a voltage level across the direct current bus; (d) a plurality of current sensors, each current sensor measuring a direct current electrical energy outputted by a selected prime power system; and (e) a control system operable, based on the measured voltage level across the direct current bus and the respective measured direct current electrical energy into and/or out of each prime power system, to control at least one of: (i) a mechanical parameter of the selected prime power system; (ii) an electrical parameter of the selected prime power system; and (iii) an electrical parameter of the direct current bus.