System and method for starting an engine
AssigneeHamilton Sundstrand Corporation
InventorsEdward S. Blain, Gary Goldberg, Branch Crooks, Jayne Lanham
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An engine starting system (100) includes a starter (106) coupled to an engine (102) through a rotational energy storage device (108) such as spiral spring (108). When electrical power is applied to the starter (106), the rotational energy produced by the starter (106) is stored in the rotational energy storage device (108) allowing the starter (106) to rotate which reduces electrical currents in the starter and stress on system components. The rotational energy is gradually transferred to the engine (102) until the engine (102) is rotationally self-sustaining.
Claims17
An engine starting system comprising:
- a starter having a drive shaft;
- a rotational energy storage device connected to the drive shaft;
- and
- an overrunning clutch coupling the rotational energy storage device to an engine.
An engine starting system for starting a gas turbine engine comprising:
- an electric motor starter having a drive shaft;
- a spiral spring having a first end and a second end, the first end of the spiral spring is coupled to the drive shaft;
- a spring hub coupled to the second end of the spiral spring;
- and
- an overrunning clutch coupled to the spring hub, the overrunning clutch adapted to couple rotational energy from the spring hub to the gas turbine engine until the engine is rotationally self-sustaining.
A direct current electric motor starter for starting an engine, the starter comprising:
- an electric motor assembly having a drive shaft;
- a spiral spring coiled within a spring hub, the spring having a first end connected to the drive shaft and having a second end connected to the spring hub;
- and
- a housing enclosing the spring hub and the electric motor assembly, wherein the spring hub is adapted to interface to an engine.
A method of starting a gas turbine engine comprising the steps of:
- rotating a drive shaft of an electrical starting motor to produce rotational energy;
- storing the rotational energy in a spring;
- gradually coupling, through an overrunning clutch, the rotational energy to a drive gear of the gas turbine engine until the gas turbine engine is self-sustaining.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.