Aircraft engine starting and emergency power generating system

• US 4,979,362 A
• Filed: 05/17/1989
• Issued: 12/25/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Vershure, Roy W. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Casaregola, Louis J.
• Application Number:
  US07/353,050
• Time in Patent Office: 587 Days
• Field of Search: 60/39.142, 60/39.15, 60/39.33, 60/712, 60/727, 192/48.9, 192/48.91, 192/87.14, 192/87.16, 244/58
• US Class Current: 60/788
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 7/272 generated by cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 7/277 the starter being a separate turbine
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 7/32 Arrangement, mounting, or driving, of auxiliaries
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2260/4023 through a friction clutch
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/60 Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft

Abstract

The problem of excessive weight in an aircraft 10 powered by at least one turbine engine 12 as a result of the incorporation of both a starter for the turbine engine 12 and a source of emergency power is avoided by utilizing a turbine wheel 62 to alternatively start the engine 12 or drive an emergency power generator 102. The turbine wheel 62 may be driven either by compressed air from a ground source 34 or an engine bleed 32 or, in the alternative, by hot gases of combustion from a stored energy source 36 in an emergency situation.

Claims

1. An aircraft engine starting and power generating system for use with an airframe mounted accessory drive unit (AMAD) associated with a turbine engine comprising:

a rotary turbine wheel;

a clutch connected to said turbine wheel and having selectively operable first and second rotary outputs, one adapted to be connected as an input to an AMAD and the other connected as an input to a power generating apparatus;

a nozzle structure for said turbine wheel and adapted to direct compressed air from a source such as a bleed air outlet of a turbine engine or a ground based compressor system, or hot gases of combustion at said turbine wheel;

a combustor connected to said nozzle;

a fuel supply connected to said combustor to provide fuel thereto for combustion therein; and

a storage tank for containing an oxidant and connected to said combustor to provide oxidant thereto to support combustion of the fuel therein;

,

whereby said turbine wheel may be driven by compressed air or by hot gases of combustion and said turbine wheel coupled to an AMAD by said clutch, to act as a conventional or emergency starter for a turbine engine associated therewith, or said turbine wheel may be driven by hot gases of combustion and said turbine wheel coupled to a power generating apparatus by said clutch to act as an emergency power unit.

2. The aircraft engine starting and power generating system of claim 1 wherein said clutch is connected to said turbine wheel by a planetary transmission.

3. The aircraft engine starting and power system of claim 1 wherein said clutch is a two-way clutch.

4. The aircraft engine starting and power generating system of claim 3 wherein said clutch is a dump and fill fluid coupling.

5. The aircraft engine starting and power generating system of claim 1 wherein said power generating apparatus is an electrical generator.

6. The aircraft engine starting and power generating system of claim 1 wherein said power generating apparatus is a hydraulic pump.

7. The aircraft engine starting and power generating system of claim 1 wherein said nozzle structure is a dual nozzle structure having a first nozzle for directing compressed air and a second nozzle for directing gases of combustion.

8. The aircraft engine starting and power generating system of claim 7 wherein said turbine wheel is a radial inflow turbine wheel and said first and second nozzles are annular and in side by side relation along the axis of rotation of said turbine wheel.

9. An aircraft engine starting and power generating system for use with an airframe mounted accessory drive unit (AMAD) associated with a turbine engine comprising

a rotary turbine wheel;

a transmission connected to said turbine wheel;

a two-way clutch connected to said transmission and having first and second rotary outputs, one adapted to be connected as an input to an AMAD and, the other connected as an input to a power generating apparatus such as an electrical generator and/or a hydraulic pump;

a dual nozzle for said turbine wheel and having a first nozzle adapted to direct compressed air from a source such as a bleed air outlet of a turbine engine or a ground based compressor system at said turbine wheel and a second nozzle for directing hot gases of combustion at said turbine wheel;

a hot gas generator connected to said second nozzle;

a fuel supply connected to said hot gas generator to provide fuel thereto for combustion therein; and

a storage tank for containing an oxidant and connected to said hot gas generator to provide oxidant thereto to support combustion therein;

whereby said turbine wheel may be driven by compressed air or by hot gases of combustion and said transmission coupled to an AMAD by said clutch to act as a conventional or emergency starter for a turbine engine associated therewith, or said turbine wheel may be driven by hot gases of combustion and said transmission coupled to a power generating device by said clutch to act as an emergency power unit.

10. The aircraft engine starting and power generating system of claim 9 in combination with a turbine engine having an AMAD coupled to a turbine of said turbine engine, said one rotary output being connected to said AMAD and being selectively drivable by operation of said clutch to drive said turbine of said turbine engine.