Methods and systems for starting propeller-driven devices
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vehicle, comprising:
- an external flow body;
an engine coupled to the external flow body;
a propeller coupled to the engine; and
a removable fixture coupled to the propeller, the fixture having at least one portion positioned to extract energy from a flowstream adjacent to the external flow body to rotate the propeller during engine start-up, the fixture being configured to separate from the propeller while the propeller rotates.
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Abstract
Methods and systems for starting propeller driven aircraft and other devices are disclosed. A system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a removable fixture that is coupled to the propeller and has at least one portion exposed to a flowstream to rotate the propeller during engine start-up. The fixture is configured to separate from the propeller after the engine begins to turn over (e.g., after the engine starts and/or rotates above a threshold rate). Accordingly, the system can include a releasable link between the fixture and the propeller.
66 Citations
48 Claims
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1. A vehicle, comprising:
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an external flow body;
an engine coupled to the external flow body;
a propeller coupled to the engine; and
a removable fixture coupled to the propeller, the fixture having at least one portion positioned to extract energy from a flowstream adjacent to the external flow body to rotate the propeller during engine start-up, the fixture being configured to separate from the propeller while the propeller rotates. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for starting a propeller, comprising:
a removable fixture configured to be coupled to an engine-driven propeller, the fixture including;
at least one vane portion having an external surface configured to be exposed to a flowstream; and
at least one link configured to releasably couple the vane portion to the propeller to rotate the propeller during engine start-up, the link being configured to release the vane portion from the propeller when the propeller rotates. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An apparatus for starting a propeller, comprising:
a removable fixture configured to be coupled to an engine-driven propeller, the fixture including;
vane means for rotating the propeller in a flowstream flow; and
link means for releasably coupling the vane means to the propeller to rotate the propeller during engine start-up, the link means being configured to release the vane means from the propeller when the propeller rotates. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. An unmanned aircraft, comprising:
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a fuselage having a forward portion and an aft portion;
a pair of wings coupled to the fuselage, each wing including a capture device configured to releasably engage a flexible line when the aircraft flies into the line;
an engine carried by the aft portion of the fuselage;
a propeller coupled to the engine and having a plurality of blades;
a releasable fixture coupled to the propeller, the fixture having a vane portion corresponding to each blade, each vane portion having an aperture positioned to receive a corresponding one of the blades, each vane portion being positioned to extend into an adjacent airstream adjacent to the aircraft to rotate the propeller during engine start-up; and
at least one frangible link coupling the vane portions to the propeller, the frangible link being configured to release the releasable fixture from the propeller when a rotation speed of the propeller exceeds a threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35)
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36. A method for starting an engine coupled to a propeller, comprising:
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rotating a propeller by exposing a starting fixture releasably coupled to the propeller to an adjacent fluid stream; and
releasing the starting fixture from the propeller after an engine coupled to the propeller begins to turn over. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A method for starting an unmanned aircraft engine coupled to a propeller, comprising:
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releasably coupling vanes of a starting fixture to blades of the propeller;
rotating the propeller by exposing the vanes to an adjacent airstream while the unmanned aircraft is in flight;
once a rotation rate of the propeller exceeds a first threshold value, starting the engine, wherein the engine is a piston-driven, reciprocating internal combustion engine;
once the rotation rate of the propeller exceeds a second threshold value, breaking a frangible link between the propeller and the starting fixture; and
allowing the vanes to separate from the propeller in a generally radial direction. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48)
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Specification