DUAL ACTUATOR AIR TURBINE STARTER VALVE

• US 20040000656A1
• Filed: 09/27/2001
• Published: 01/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Lane, Glenn, Marshall, Dori, Kolic, Michael, Wiggins, Jimmy
• Granted Patent: US 6,684,898 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 251/289
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 7/277 the starter being a separate turbine
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2220/50 for auxiliary power units (APU's)
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 11/0365 Tandem constructions
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/40515 with variable throttles or orifices
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/426 electrically or electronically
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/455 Control of flow in the feed line, i.e. meter-in control
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/7052 Single-acting output members
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/7107 the output members being mechanically linked
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/7128 the chambers being connected in parallel
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/7716 with automatic return
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 1/221 specially adapted operating means therefor operating means per se F16K31/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/1635 for rotating valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0525 Butterfly valve

Abstract

An air turbine starter valve able to open despite being frozen shut. Dual actuators apply sufficient torque upon an air turbine starter valve to overcome obstructions presented by frozen moisture. By applying separate and generally-aligned torques, the actuators are able to provide sufficient force to overcome the adhesion provided by frozen moisture between the valve plate and adjacent structures.

Claims

1. An air turbine starter for starting an air turbine engine, the air turbine starter having an air flow valve, comprising:

a valve body with an inlet, an outlet, and an interior surface defining a passageway therebetween;

a valve mounted in the valve body passageway for movement between an open position and a closed position to control flow through the valve body;

a first actuator coupled to the valve to selectively urge the valve toward the open position upon flow of pressurized air to the valve; and

a second actuator coupled to the valve to selectively urge the valve toward the open position upon flow of pressurized air to the valve.

2. An air turbine starter for starting an air turbine engine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the valve comprises a butterfly valve.

3. An air turbine starter for starting an air turbine engine as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a control valve, the control valve controlling flow of pressurized air to the first and second actuators.

4. An air turbine starter for starting an air turbine engine as set forth in claim 3, wherein the control valve further comprises:

a solenoid-controlled valve, the solenoid-controlled valve controlling air flow to the first and second actuators.

5. An air turbine starter for starting an air turbine engine as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

the first actuator being a piston-type actuator; and

the second actuator being a piston-type actuator.

6. An air turbine starter for starting an air turbine engine as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

first and second lever arms;

the first lever arm coupled to the valve and to the first actuator, the first lever arm communicating urging of the first actuator to the valve; and

the second lever arm coupled to the valve and to the second actuator, the second lever arm communicating urging of the second actuator to the valve.

7. An air turbine starter for starting an air turbine engine as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

the first actuator oppositely opposed the second actuator across the valve so that the valve receives opposed and coordinated urging from the first and second actuators.

8. An air turbine starter for starting an air turbine engine as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

an engine starter, the engine starter controlled by the valve.

9. An air turbine starter for starting an air turbine engine, the air turbine starter having an air flow valve, comprising:

a butterfly valve, the butterfly valve controlling air flow to the air turbine engine by having an open position and a closed position;

a first piston-type actuator, the first actuator coupled to the butterfly valve and urging the butterfly valve to the open position upon flow of pressurized air to the butterfly valve;

a second piston-type actuator, the second actuator coupled to the butterfly valve and urging the butterfly valve to the open position upon flow of pressurized air to the butterfly valve;

first and second lever arms;

the first lever arm coupled to the butterfly valve and to the first actuator, the first lever arm communicating urging of the first actuator to the butterfly valve;

the second lever arm coupled to the butterfly valve and to the second actuator, the second lever arm communicating urging of the second actuator to the butterfly valve;

the first actuator oppositely opposed the second actuator across the butterfly valve so that the butterfly valve receives opposed and coordinated urging from the first and second actuators

a solenoid-controlled valve, the solenoid-controlled valve controlling air flow to the first and second actuators; and

a housing, the housing enclosing and protecting the first and second actuators;

whereby

the butterfly valve is less susceptible to being stuck in the closed position by obstruction.

10. An air turbine starter for starting an air turbine engine as set forth in claim 9, further comprising:

an engine starter, the engine starter controlled by the butterfly valve.

11. A method for retrofitting an air turbine starter for controlling pressurized air flow thereto, the steps comprising:

providing a valve body with an inlet, an outlet, and an interior surface defining a passageway therebetween;

providing a valve mounted in the valve body passageway for movement between an open position and a closed position to control flow through the valve body;

providing a first actuator coupled to the valve to selectively urge the valve toward the open position upon flow of pressurized air to the valve; and

providing a second actuator coupled to the valve to selectively urge the valve toward the open position upon flow of pressurized air to the valve.

12. A method for retrofitting an air turbine starter as set forth in claim 11, wherein the valve comprises a butterfly valve.

13. A method for retrofitting an air turbine starter as set forth in claim 11, the steps further comprising:

providing a control valve, the control valve controlling flow of pressurized air to the first and second actuators.

14. A method for retrofitting an air turbine starter as set forth in claim 13, wherein the control valve further comprises:

a solenoid-controlled valve, the solenoid-controlled valve controlling air flow to the first and second actuators.

15. A method for retrofitting an air turbine starter as set forth in claim 11, further comprising:

the first actuator being a piston-type actuator; and

the second actuator being a piston-type actuator.

16. A method for retrofitting an air turbine starter as set forth in claim 11, the steps further comprising:

providing first and second lever arms;

the first lever arm coupled to the valve and to the first actuator, the first lever arm communicating urging of the first actuator to the valve; and

the second lever arm coupled to the valve and to the second actuator, the second lever arm communicating urging of the second actuator to the valve.

17. A method for retrofitting an air turbine starter as set forth in claim 11, further comprising:

the first actuator oppositely opposed the second actuator across the valve so that the valve receives opposed and coordinated urging from the first and second actuators.

18. A method for retrofitting an air turbine starter as set forth in claim 11, the steps further comprising:

providing an engine starter, the engine starter controlled by the valve.

19. A method for retrofitting a turbine engine with a turbine starter valve for controlling pressurized air flow in starting the turbine engine, the steps comprising:

providing a butterfly valve, the butterfly valve controlling air flow to the air turbine engine by having an open position and a closed position;

providing a first piston-type actuator, the first actuator coupled to the butterfly valve and urging the butterfly valve to the open position upon flow of pressurized air to the butterfly valve;

providing a second piston-type actuator, the second actuator coupled to the butterfly valve and urging the butterfly valve to the open position upon flow of pressurized air to the butterfly valve;

providing first and second lever arms, the first lever arm coupled to the butterfly valve and to the first actuator, the first lever arm communicating urging of the first actuator to the butterfly valve and the second lever arm coupled to the butterfly valve and to the second actuator, the second lever arm communicating urging of the second actuator to the butterfly valve, the first actuator oppositely opposed the second actuator across the butterfly valve so that the butterfly valve receives opposed and coordinated urging from the first and second actuators;

providing a solenoid-controlled valve, the solenoid-controlled valve controlling air flow to the first and second actuators; and

providing a housing, the housing enclosing and protecting the first and second actuators;

whereby

the butterfly valve is less susceptible to being stuck in the closed position by obstruction.

20. A method for retrofitting an air turbine starter as set forth in claim 19, the steps further comprising:

providing an engine starter, the engine starter controlled by the butterfly valve.

21. An air turbine starter valve for controlling pressurized air flow in starting an air turbine engine, the air turbine starter valve comprising:

a valve body with a first opening, a second opening, and an interior surface defining a passageway therebetween;

a valve mounted in the valve body passageway for movement between an open position and a closed position to control flow through the valve body;

a first actuator, coupled to the valve to selectively urge the valve toward the open position upon flow of pressurized air to the valve; and

a second actuator, coupled to the valve to selectively urge the valve toward the open position upon flow of pressurized air to the valve.

22. An air turbine starter valve for controlling pressurized air flow in starting an air turbine engine as set forth in claim 21 wherein the valve comprises a butterfly valve.

23. An air turbine starter valve for controlling pressurized air flow in starting an air turbine engine as set forth in claim 21, further comprising:

a control valve, the control valve controlling flow of pressurized air to the first and second actuators.

24. An air turbine starter valve for controlling pressurized air flow in starting an air turbine engine as set forth in claim 23, wherein the control valve further comprises:

a solenoid-controlled valve, the solenoid-controlled valve controlling air flow to the first and second actuators.

25. An air turbine starter valve for controlling pressurized air flow in starting an air turbine engine as set forth in claim 21, further comprising:

the first actuator being a piston-type actuator; and

the second actuator being a piston-type actuator.

26. An air turbine starter valve for controlling pressurized air flow in starting an air turbine engine as set forth in claim 21, further comprising:

first and second lever arms;

the first lever arm coupled to the valve and to the first actuator, the first lever arm communicating urging of the first actuator to the valve; and

the second lever arm coupled to the valve and to the second actuator, the second lever arm communicating urging of the second actuator to the valve.

27. An air turbine starter valve for controlling pressurized air flow in starting an air turbine engine as set forth in claim 21, further comprising:

the first actuator oppositely opposed the second actuator across the valve so that the valve receives opposed and coordinated urging from the first and second actuators.

28. An air turbine starter valve for controlling pressurized air flow in starting an air turbine engine as set forth in claim 21, further comprising:

an engine starter, the engine starter controlled by the valve.

29. An air turbine starter valve for controlling pressurized air flow in starting an air turbine engine, comprising:

a butterfly valve, the butterfly valve controlling air flow to the air turbine engine by having an open position and a closed position;

a first piston-type actuator, the first actuator coupled to the butterfly valve and urging the butterfly valve to the open position upon flow of pressurized air to the butterfly valve;

a second piston-type actuator, the second actuator coupled to the butterfly valve and urging the butterfly valve to the open position upon flow of pressurized air to the butterfly valve;

first and second lever arms;

the first lever arm coupled to the butterfly valve and to the first actuator, the first lever arm communicating urging of the first actuator to the butterfly valve;

the second lever arm coupled to the butterfly valve and to the second actuator, the second lever arm communicating urging of the second actuator to the butterfly valve;

the first actuator oppositely opposed the second actuator across the butterfly valve so that the butterfly valve receives opposed and coordinated urging from the first and second actuators

a solenoid-controlled valve, the solenoid-controlled valve controlling air flow to the first and second actuators; and

a housing, the housing enclosing and protecting the first and second actuators;

whereby

the butterfly valve is less susceptible to being stuck in the closed position by obstruction.

30. An air turbine starter valve for controlling pressurized air flow in starting an air turbine engine as set forth in claim 29, further comprising:

an engine starter, the engine starter controlled by the butterfly valve.

31. A method of providing a retrofit air turbine starter valve for controlling pressurized air flow in air turbine starter, the steps comprising:

providing a valve body with an inlet, an outlet, and an interior surface defining a passageway therebetween;

providing a valve mounted in the valve body passageway for movement between an open position and a closed position to control flow through the valve body;

providing a first actuator coupled to the valve to selectively urge the valve toward the open position upon flow of pressurized air to the valve; and

providing a second actuator coupled to the valve to selectively urge the valve toward the open position upon flow of pressurized air to the valve.

32. A method of providing a retrofit air turbine starter valve for controlling pressurized air flow in an air turbine starter as set forth in claim 31, wherein the valve comprises a butterfly valve.

33. A method of providing a retrofit air turbine starter valve for controlling pressurized air flow in an air turbine starter as set forth in claim 31, the steps further comprising:

providing a control valve, the control valve controlling flow of pressurized air to the first and second actuators.

34. A method of providing a retrofit air turbine starter valve for controlling pressurized air flow in an air turbine starter as set forth in claim 33, wherein the control valve further comprises:

a solenoid-controlled valve, the solenoid-controlled valve controlling air flow to the first and second actuators.

35. A method of providing a retrofit air turbine starter valve for controlling pressurized air flow in an air turbine starter as set forth in claim 31, further comprising:

the first actuator being a piston-type actuator; and

the second actuator being a piston-type actuator.

36. A method of providing a retrofit air turbine starter valve for controlling pressurized air flow in an air turbine starter as set forth in claim 31, the steps further comprising:

providing first and second lever arms;

the first lever arm coupled to the valve and to the first actuator, the first lever arm communicating urging of the first actuator to the valve; and

the second lever arm coupled to the valve and to the second actuator, the second lever arm communicating urging of the second actuator to the valve.

37. A method of providing a retrofit air turbine starter valve for controlling pressurized air flow in an air turbine starter as set forth in claim 31, further comprising:

the first actuator oppositely opposed the second actuator across the valve so that the valve receives opposed and coordinated urging from the first and second actuators.

38. A method of providing a retrofit air turbine starter valve for controlling pressurized air flow in an air turbine starter as set forth in claim 31, the steps further comprising:

providing an engine starter, the engine starter controlled by the valve.

39. A method of providing a retrofit air turbine starter valve for controlling pressurized air flow in an air turbine starter, the steps comprising:

providing a butterfly valve, the butterfly valve controlling air flow to the air turbine engine by having an open position and a closed position;

providing a first piston-type actuator, the first actuator coupled to the butterfly valve and urging the butterfly valve to the open position upon flow of pressurized air to the butterfly valve;

providing a second piston-type actuator, the second actuator coupled to the butterfly valve and urging the butterfly valve to the open position upon flow of pressurized air to the butterfly valve;

providing first and second lever arms, the first lever arm coupled to the butterfly valve and to the first actuator, the first lever arm communicating urging of the first actuator to the butterfly valve and the second lever arm coupled to the butterfly valve and to the second actuator, the second lever arm communicating urging of the second actuator to the butterfly valve, the first actuator oppositely opposed the second actuator across the butterfly valve so that the butterfly valve receives opposed and coordinated urging from the first and second actuators;

providing a solenoid-controlled valve, the solenoid-controlled valve controlling air flow to the first and second actuators; and

providing a housing, the housing enclosing and protecting the first and second actuators;

whereby

the butterfly valve is less susceptible to being stuck in the closed position by obstruction.

40. A method of providing a retrofit air turbine starter valve for controlling pressurized air flow in an air turbine starter as set forth in claim 39, the steps further comprising:

providing an engine starter, the engine starter controlled by the butterfly valve.