Integrated starter for aerial vehicle
AssigneeUnison Industries, LLC
InventorsBrian Christopher Kemp, Theodore Scott Puterbaugh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for starting an engine on an aircraft are provided. One example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to an integrated starter for starting an engine on an aircraft. The integrated starter includes an air turbine starter. The integrated starter includes a starter air valve integrated with the air turbine starter. The integrated starter includes a controller configured to control the starter air valve. The starter air valve can be movable between a first position and at least a second position to regulate the flow of fluid into the air turbine starter. An output torque of the air turbine starter can be dependent at least in part on the flow of fluid into the air turbine starter.
Claims20
An integrated starter for starting an engine on an aircraft comprising:
- an air turbine starter comprising one or more starter sensors configured to determine a vibration and/or sound of a rotating portion of the air turbine starter;
- a starter air valve integrated with the air turbine starter;
- and
- a controller configured to control the starter air valve based at least in part on a notification from the one or more starter sensors indicative of such a vibration and/or sound,
- wherein the starter air valve is movable between a first position and at least a second position to regulate the flow of fluid into the air turbine starter;
- wherein an output torque of the air turbine starter is dependent at least in part on the flow of fluid into the air turbine starter.
A method for starting an engine using an integrated starter, the method comprising:
- adjusting an opening of a starter air valve integrated with an air turbine starter based at least in part on a signal from a controller, the air turbine starter comprising one or more starter sensors configured to determine a vibration and/or sound associated with a rotating portion of the air turbine starter, and the opening being adjusted based at least in part on a notification from the one or more starter sensors indicative of such a vibration and/or sound, the controller forming a part of the integrated starter;
- providing fluid to the air turbine starter through the opening of the starter air valve;
- converting the provided fluid with the air turbine starter into a torque output;
- and
- starting the engine using the torque output of the air turbine starter.
An aerial vehicle comprising:
- an engine;
- and
- an integrated air turbine starter configured to start the engine;
- the integrated air turbine starter comprising:
- an air turbine starter comprising one or more starter sensors configured to determine a vibration and/or sound of a rotating portion of the air turbine starter;
- a starter air valve integrated with the air turbine starter;
- and
- a controller configured to control the starter air valve based at least in part on a notification from the one or more starter sensors indicative of such a vibration and/or sound,
- wherein the starter air valve is movable between a first position and at least a second position to regulate the flow of fluid into the air turbine starter;
- wherein an output torque of the air turbine starter is dependent at least in part on the flow of fluid into the air turbine starter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.