Integrated Brushless Starter Generator

• US 20180030944A1
• Filed: 07/14/2017
• Published: 02/01/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems Corporation (Astronics Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems Corporation (Astronics Corporation)
• Inventors: Raad, Bernard A.
• Granted Patent: US 11,028,812 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/04 the motors being associated with current generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2011/0896 Inverters for electric machines, e.g. starter-generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/05 Rectifiers associated with casings, enclosures or brackets
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 5/225 Terminal boxes or connection arrangements specially adapted for submersible motors H02K5/132
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1823 structurally associated with turbines or similar engines
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 1/50 by changing over from asynchronous to synchronous operation H02P1/48 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 2101/30 for aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/08 Control of generator circuit during starting or stopping of driving means, e.g. for initiating excitation
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/302 Brushless excitation

Abstract

A brushless starter-generator system is contained within a single housing. The housing has a first end with an opening to receive a drive spline from a motive source and an opposing second end. A brushless, rotating, machine is located adjacent the first end and is kinetically connectable to the drive spline. A power control unit is adjacent the second end and electrically coupled to the brushless, rotating machine. The brushless, rotating machine is selected from the group consisting of a synchronous machine, a permanent magnet machine, and an induction machine. Electrical and mechanical interfaces are identical to a like-rated brushed version for a true “drop-in” replacement capability to facilitate replacements and up-grades

Claims

1. A starter-generator system contained within a single housing, comprising:

said housing having a first end with an opening to receive a drive spline from a motive source and an opposing second end;

a brushless, rotating, machine adjacent the first end and kinetically connectable to the drive spline;

a power control unit adjacent the second end and electrically coupled to the brushless, rotating machine.

2. The starter-generator system of claim 1 wherein the brushless, rotating machine is selected from the group consisting of a synchronous machine, a permanent magnet machine, and an induction machine.

3. The starter-generator system of claim 2 wherein the motive source is a turbine engine or a piston engine of an aircraft.

4. The starter-generator system of claim 2 wherein the second end terminates at an air inlet duct.

5. The starter-generator of claim 2 wherein the machine is synchronous, the PCU is used primarily in the START mode to motor the engine, and is used in the Generate mode to synchronously rectify the AC output to DC for maximum rectification efficiency

6. The starter-generator of claim 2 that features electrical and mechanical interfaces that are identical to a brushed unit, while eliminating any use of carbon brushes, or any other sliding contact.

7. The starter-generator of claim 6 wherein the PCU components are contained within environmentally sealed compartments within the housing for effective protection against the elements

8. The starter-generator of claim 7 wherein the major heat producing components of the PCU are connected to a heatsink placed in line with the cooling airstream, for effective cooling while protected from the environments