Micro volume actuator for an air turbine starter

An air turbine starter valve for controlling start air flow to an air turbine starter, the valve comprising:

• A valve body with an interior surface defining an inlet, an outlet and a passageway therebetween for start air flow;
• A valve gate mounted in the passageway for movement between an open and a closed position;
• An actuator operably coupled to the valve gate, the actuator including:
• A housing having an internal surface;
• A piston slidably mounted within the housing to move between a first position and a second position, whereby the piston has an upper surface cooperatively defining a chamber with the housing, the chamber being variable in volume depending on the location of the piston, but having a smaller volume when the piston is in its first position;
• and
• An opening in the housing to provide fluid communication to the chamber;
• A regulator mechanism operatively connected to the opening in the housing to selectively provide air flow to the chamber, and
• An arm mechanism operatively connected between the piston to the valve gate;
• and
• Wherein the upper surface of the piston defines at least one groove extending from a position near to the opening of the housing when the piston is in the first position.

An air turbine starter system comprising:

• An air turbine starter including:
• A housing defining an opening for accepting drive air flow;
• A turbine mechanism mounted in the housing in a position to receive the drive air flow;
• A gear box operatively connected to the turbine mechanism;
• An output shaft operatively connected to the gear box;
• and
• A clutch assembly connected to the output shaft;
• A valve body with an interior surface defining an inlet, an outlet and a passageway therebetween for start air flow;
• A valve gate mounted in the passageway for movement between an open and a closed position;
• An actuator operably coupled to the valve gate, the actuator including:
• A housing having an internal surface;
• A piston slidably mounted within the housing to move between a first position and a second position, whereby the piston has an upper surface cooperatively defining a chamber with the housing, the chamber being variable in volume depending on the location of the piston, but having a smaller volume when the piston is in its first position;
• and
• An opening in the housing to provide fluid communication to the chamber;
• A regulator mechanism operatively connected to the opening in the housing to selectively provide air flow to the chamber, and
• An arm mechanism operatively connected between the piston to the valve gate;
• Wherein the volume of the chamber is less than 0.1 cubic inches when the piston is in the first position.

An air turbine starter valve actuator comprising:

• A housing having an internal surface;
• A piston slidably mounted within the housing to move between a first position and a second position, whereby the piston has an upper surface cooperatively defining a chamber with the housing, the chamber being variable in volume depending on the location of the piston, but having a smaller volume when the piston is in its first position;
• An opening in the housing to provide fluid communication to the chamber;
• A regulator mechanism operatively connected to the opening in the housing to selectively provide air flow to the chamber;
• and
• An arm mechanism operatively connected between the piston to the valve gate;
• Wherein the volume of the chamber is less than 0.1 cubic inches when the piston is in the first position.

An air turbine starter valve actuator comprising:

• A housing having an internal surface;
• A piston slidably mounted within the housing to move between a first position and a second position, whereby the piston has an upper surface cooperatively defining a chamber with the housing, the chamber being variable in volume depending on the location of the piston, but having a smaller volume when the piston is in its first position;
• An opening in the housing to provide fluid communication to the chamber;
• A regulator mechanism operatively connected to the opening in the housing to selectively provide air flow to the chamber;
• An arm mechanism operatively connected between the piston to the valve gate;
• and
• Wherein the upper surface of the piston defines at least one groove extending from a position near to the opening of the housing when the piston is in the first position.