Jet fuel and air system for starting auxiliary power unit
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsDurward S. Benham JR., Michael S. Koerner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for starting an APU, including an air control valve assembly located in the air flow passageway extending between a source of pressurized air and a turbine power modulator. The system further includes a fuel control valve assembly located in the fuel flow passageway extending between a source of jet fuel and the turbine power modulator. Upon energizing the air control and fuel control valves, a mixture of compressed air and jet fuel entering the turbine power module is ignited, creating a flow steam of hot gases for driving a gas turbine to power the APU.
Claims20
An APU starter system, comprising:
- a source of pressurized air;
- a source of jet fuel;
- a turbine power module attached to an APU;
- an air flow passageway joining the source of pressurized air to the turbine power module;
- a fuel flow passageway joining the source of jet fuel to the turbine power module;
- and
- a separate valve assembly located in each flow passageway for controlling the flow of compressed air and jet fuel into the turbine power module.
An APU starter system, comprising:
- a source of pressurized air comprising at least one storage vessel;
- a source of jet fuel comprising a fuel tank;
- a turbine power module attached to an APU;
- an air flow passageway joining the at least one storage vessel to the turbine power module;
- a fuel flow passageway joining the fuel tank to the turbine power module;
- and
- a separate valve assembly located in each flow passageway for controlling the flow of compressed air and jet fuel into the turbine power module.
An APU starter system, comprising:
- a source of pressurized air comprising at least one storage vessel;
- a source of jet fuel comprising a fuel tank;
- a turbine power module attached to an APU;
- an air flow passageway joining the at least one storage vessel to the turbine power module;
- a fuel flow passageway joining the fuel tank to the turbine power module;
- and
- a modulating valve assembly located in the air flow passageway and a control valve located in the fuel flow passageway for controlling the flow of compressed air and jet fuel into the turbine power module.
A method of starting an APU, comprising the steps of:
- energizing a control valve located in an air flow system between a source of pressurized air and a turbine power module;
- energizing a control valve located in a fuel flow system between a source of jet fuel and the turbine power module;
- igniting the mixture of air and fuel within the turbine power module to create a steam of hot gases;
- and
- directing the steam of hot gases onto turbine blades for rotating the blades to drive the APU through a gearbox.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.