AIRCRAFT, PROPULSION SYSTEM, AND SYSTEM FOR TAXIING AN AIRCRAFT
First Claim
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1. A propulsion system for an aircraft, comprising:
- a gas turbine engine having a high pressure (HP) spool and a low pressure (LP) spool, wherein the LP spool is operative to drive a propulsor;
an auxiliary power unit (APU) mechanically coupled to the LP spool and operative to drive the LP spool;
an auxiliary electrical machine mechanically coupled to LP spool and operative to drive the LP spool; and
an electrical power source electrically coupled to the auxiliary electrical machine,wherein the APU and the auxiliary electrical machine are configured and operative to jointly supply rotational power to the LP spool to generate thrust via the propulsor for taxiing the aircraft.
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Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention is a unique aircraft. Another embodiment is a unique aircraft propulsion system. Still another embodiment is a unique system for taxiing an aircraft without starting one or more main aircraft propulsion engines. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for aircraft taxiing and propulsion systems. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A propulsion system for an aircraft, comprising:
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a gas turbine engine having a high pressure (HP) spool and a low pressure (LP) spool, wherein the LP spool is operative to drive a propulsor; an auxiliary power unit (APU) mechanically coupled to the LP spool and operative to drive the LP spool; an auxiliary electrical machine mechanically coupled to LP spool and operative to drive the LP spool; and an electrical power source electrically coupled to the auxiliary electrical machine, wherein the APU and the auxiliary electrical machine are configured and operative to jointly supply rotational power to the LP spool to generate thrust via the propulsor for taxiing the aircraft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An aircraft, comprising:
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a fuselage; an empennage coupled to the fuselage; a plurality of wings coupled to the fuselage; and a propulsion system, including; a gas turbine engine having a high pressure (HP) spool and a low pressure (LP) spool and an engine gearbox, wherein the LP spool is operative to drive a propulsor; and
wherein the gas turbine engine is coupled to at least one of the fuselage, the empennage and at least one of the plurality of wings;an auxiliary power unit (APU) mechanically coupled to the LP spool via the gearbox and operative to drive the LP spool; an auxiliary electrical machine mechanically coupled to LP spool via the gearbox and operative to drive the LP spool; an electrical power source electrically coupled to the auxiliary electrical machine, wherein the APU and the auxiliary electrical machine are configured and operative to jointly supply rotational power via the engine gearbox to the LP spool to generate thrust via the propulsor for taxiing the aircraft. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system, comprising:
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a gas turbine engine having a high pressure (HP) spool and a low pressure (LP) spool, wherein the LP spool is operative to drive a propulsor; and means for supplying mechanical power from at least two sources to the low pressure spool for taxiing an aircraft. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification