Gas turbine engine starting system and method
AssigneeSundstrand Corporation
InventorEdward Neil Denaci
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A starting system and method for a gas turbine engine checks to determine whether ignition has occurred in a light off window. If such ignition has not occurred, a starter coupled to the gas turbine engine is deactuated to allow deceleration through the light off window while still attempting to ignite gases in the combustor. By providing an extra interval of time to achieve ignition, start reliability is enhanced.
Claims8
A starting system for a gas turbine engine wherein the gas turbine engine is coupled to a starter and includes a rotor, an igniter and a fuel valve, comprising:
- means for actuating the starter to accelerate the rotor during a start sequence;
- means for operating the igniter and the fuel valve during the start sequence;
- means for developing an indication when ignition has failed to occur during a rotor speed window of the start sequence;
- means responsive to the developing means for deactuating the starter to allow the rotor to decelerate when the indication is developed;
- and
- means for reactuating the starter subsequent to deactuation thereof if ignition is thereafter detected during the start sequence.
A starting system for a gas turbine engine wherein the gas turbine engine is coupled to a starter and includes a rotor, an igniter, a fuel valve and a combustor, comprising:
- means responsive to a start command for actuating the starter, the fuel valve and the igniter during a start sequence;
- means for sensing rotor speed;
- means responsive to the sensing means for developing an indication when ignition has failed to occur in the combustor by the time a particular rotor speed is reached;
- means responsive to the indicating means for deactuating the starter when the indication is developed;
- and
- means for reactuating the starter subsequent to deactuation thereof if ignition is thereafter detected during the start sequence.
A method of starting a gas turbine engine having a rotor coupled to a starter and further having an igniter and a fuel valve, the method comprising the steps of:
- actuating the starter to accelerate the rotor during a start sequence;
- operating the igniter and the fuel valve during the start sequence;
- developing an indication when ignition has failed to occur during a rotor speed window of the start sequence;
- deactuating the starter to allow the rotor to decelerate when the indication is developed;
- and
- reactuating the starter subsequent to deactuation thereof if ignition is thereafter detected during the start sequence.
A method of starting a gas turbine engine having a rotor coupled to a starter and further including an igniter, a fuel valve and a combustor, the method comprising the steps of:
- actuating the starter, the fuel valve and the igniter during a start sequence;
- sensing rotor speed;
- developing an indication when ignition has failed to occur in the combustor by the time a particular rotor speed is reached;
- deactuating the starter when the indication is developed;
- and
- reactuating the starter subsequent to deactuation thereof if ignition is thereafter detected during the start sequence.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.