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US 2009/0288628 A1Published application
Electrically isolated rotor ground
AssigneeRolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
InventorsOran A. Watts, III, Matthew J. Starr, Robert A. Ress, JR.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A thrust-producing engine includes an engine structure, a rotor that is electrically isolated from the engine structure, and an electrical conductor connected to the engine structure. The electrical conductor is in electrical contact with the engine structure and the rotor as the rotor rotates relative to the electrical conductor and the engine structure to reduce electrical arcing between the engine structure and the rotor.
Claims21
An apparatus, comprising:
- a thrust-producing engine, including:
- an engine structure;
- a rotor electrically isolated from the engine structure by at least one bearing;
- and
- an electrostatic charge control device connected to the engine structure, the control device being in electrical contact with the engine structure and the rotor to define an electrical pathway therebetween as the rotor rotates relative to the engine structure to reduce electrical arcing between the engine structure and the rotor, the pathway being more electrically conductive than the at least one bearing.
2 more elements
A method, comprising:
- operating a thrust-producing engine comprising an engine structure, a rotor electrically isolated from the engine structure, and an electric charge control device connected to the engine structure;
- turning the rotor relative to the engine structure during engine operation;
- pressing a portion of the control device against the rotor as the rotor turns;
- and
- during the turning, sliding the portion of the control device along at least a portion of a circumferential surface of the rotor to make electrical contact therewith to reduce electrostatic charge build-up of the rotor relative to the engine structure.
2 more elements
An apparatus, comprising:
- a gas turbine engine, including:
- an engine structure;
- a rotor electrically isolated from the engine structure;
- and
- a brush secured to the engine structure and being in electrical contact with the rotor to form an electric charge pathway between the engine structure to reduce electrostatic charge build-up of the rotor.
2 more elements
A method, comprising:
- operating a thrust-producing engine including an engine structure, a rotor electrically isolated from the engine structure by one or more bearings, and an electrical conductor electrically connected to the engine structure;
- during the operating, rotating the rotor relative to the engine structure;
- and
- electrically contacting the rotor with the electrical conductor to dissipate electrostatic charge of the rotor relative to the engine structure during rotor rotation, the conductor defining an electrical pathway that is more electrically conductive than the one or more bearings.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.