Clutch to disconnect loads during turbine start-up

• US 5,174,109 A
• Filed: 10/25/1990
• Issued: 12/29/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Lampe, Steven W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Casaregola, Louis J.
• Application Number:
  US07/602,637
• Time in Patent Office: 796 Days
• Field of Search: 60/39.141, 60/39.142, 60/39.15, 60/39.33, 60/39.091
• US Class Current: 60/788
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 41/00 Power installations for auxiliary purposes
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 7/275 Mechanical drives
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 7/32 Arrangement, mounting, or driving, of auxiliaries
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2220/50 for auxiliary power units (APU's)
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2260/4023 through a friction clutch
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/40 Weight reduction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/60 Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft

Abstract

An aircraft auxiliary power system using a turbine to provide rotational power to a gearbox having coupled to it electric generators and pumps. Between the gearbox and turbine a clutch is provided. The clutch is disengaged when the turbine is started, thus reducing drag on the turbine shaft during starting, and the clutch is engaged after the turbine is started to provide rotational power to the coupled electric generators and pumps.

Claims

1. A starting system for an aircraft auxiliary power unit having a turbine used for producing auxiliary power in an aircraft comprising:

a starter motor system rated only to drive a load of starting equipment used during starting of the turbine and not to drive power producing equipment used only after starting is completed during operation of the auxiliary power unit in producing the auxiliary power;

a gearbox mechanically connecting the starter motor to the turbine and to the starting equipment used during starting the turbine with power being connected from the starter motor to the starting equipment and to the turbine on a non-interruptible basis during starting of the auxiliary power unit;

a clutch having an input connected by the gearbox to an output of the turbine and a clutch output which is driven only during engagement of the input with the output of the clutch with the clutch being disengaged during starting of the auxiliary power unit and engaged during operation of the auxiliary power unit in producing auxiliary power; and

wherein

the power producing equipment is driven from the output of the clutch by the gearbox and produces the auxiliary power during operation of the auxiliary power unit and is not driven from the output of the clutch during starting of the auxiliary power unit.

2. A starting system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the starter motor system comprises:

a hydraulic starter motor with accumulator and the starting equipment comprises a permanent magnet generator with electronic control unit and fuel control for the turbine with the gearbox driving the permanent magnet generator and fuel control on a non-interruptible basis during starting of the auxiliary power unit by the starter motor through the gearbox.

3. A starting system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the power producing equipment comprises:

a hydraulic pump.

4. A starting system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the power producing equipment comprises:

an electrical generator.

5. A starting system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the power producing equipment comprises:

a fan.

6. A starting system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the power producing equipment comprises:

a fan, hydraulic pump and an electrical generator.

7. A starting system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the power producing equipment comprises:

a hydraulic pump and an electrical generator.

8. A starting system in accordance with claim 2 wherein the power producing equipment comprises:

a hydraulic pump.

9. A starting system in accordance with claim 2 wherein the power producing equipment comprises:

an electrical generator.

10. A starting system in accordance with claim 2 wherein the power producing equipment comprises:

a fan.

11. A starting system in accordance with claim 2 wherein the power producing equipment comprises:

a fan, hydraulic pump and an electrical generator.

12. A starting system in accordance with claim 2 wherein the power producing equipment comprises:

a hydraulic pump and an electrical generator.

13. A starting system in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the clutch is a slip clutch.

14. A starting system in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the clutch includes means controlling engagement of the clutch in response to a command.

15. A starting system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the starter motor system comprises:

an electric starter motor and the starting equipment comprises a permanent magnet generator with electronic control unit and fuel control for the turbine with the gearbox driving the permanent magnet generator and fuel control on a noninterruptible basis during starting of the auxiliary power unit by the starter motor through the gearbox.

16. A starting system in accordance with claim 15 wherein the power producing equipment comprises:

a hydraulic pump.

17. A starting system in accordance with claim 15 wherein the power producing equipment comprises:

an electrical generator.

18. A starting system in accordance with claim 15 wherein the power producing equipment comprises:

a fan.

19. A starting system in accordance with claim 15 wherein the power producing equipment comprises:

a fan, hydraulic pump and an electrical generator.

20. A starting system in accordance with claim 15 wherein the power producing equipment comprises:

a hydraulic pump and an electrical generator.

21. A starting system in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the starter motor system comprises;

a pneumatic starter motor and the starting equipment comprises a permanent magnet generator with electronic control unit and fuel control for the turbine with the gearbox driving the permanent magnet generator and fuel control on a non-interruptible basis during starting of the auxiliary power unit by the starter motor through the gearbox.

22. A starting system in accordance with claim 21 wherein the power producing equipment comprises:

a hydraulic pump.

23. A starting system in accordance with claim 21 wherein the power producing equipment comprises:

an electrical generator.

24. A starting system in accordance with claim 21 wherein the power producing equipment comprises:

a fan.

25. A starting system in accordance with claim 21 wherein the power producing equipment comprises:

a fan, hydraulic pump and an electrical generator.

26. A starting system in accordance with claim 21 wherein the power producing equipment comprises:

a hydraulic pump and an electrical generator.