US 5,694,765 A · Shaft power transfer in gas turbine engines with machines operable as generators or motors

Abstract

A multispool gas turbine engine for an aircraft application includes a transmission system which is operative to transfer power between relatively rotatable engine spools. In a first mode the transmission system is operative to transfer power from the engine's low pressure spool to its high pressure spool and thereby improve the engine's in-flight relight characteristics; in a second mode it is operative to transfer power from the engine's intermediate pressure spool to its high pressure spool to improve engine part speed performance; and in a third mode to transfer power from the engine's high pressure spool to its intermediate pressure spool to assist in ground starting. With each shaft is an associated flow displacement machine (64,66,62) operable as a pump or motor. In other embodiments, a differential is employed for the power transfer between spools.

Claims31

Dependent claims

A multispool gas turbine engine comprising:

at least two independently rotatable engine spools;
a plurality of power transfer machines coupled to the engine spools, including a first power transfer machine coupled to a first engine spool and a second power transfer machine coupled to a second engine spool, wherein said first power transfer machine is capable of operating either as a generator to take power from the first engine spool or as a motor to drive the first engine spool and said second machine is capable of operating either as a generator to take power from the second engine spool or as a motor to drive the second engine spool;
power transmission means arranged to interconnect said plurality of power transfer machines;
and
means for selectively controlling an operation of said power transfer machines to selectively transfer power from at least one of the engine spools to at least one other of the engine spools.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Shaft power transfer in gas turbine engines with machines operable as generators or motors

Life of this patent

Shaft power transfer in gas turbine engines with machines operable as generators or motors

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims31