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US 6,684,898 B2Granted
Dual actuator air turbine starter valve
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsJimmy Wiggins, Glenn Lane, Dori Marshall, Michael Kolic
Life of this patent
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AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsJimmy Wiggins, Glenn Lane, Dori Marshall, Michael Kolic
Estimating the term…
An air turbine starter valve able to open despite being frozen shut. Dual actuators apply sufficient torque upon an air turbine starter valve to overcome obstructions presented by frozen moisture. By applying separate and generally-aligned torques, the actuators are able to provide sufficient force to overcome the adhesion provided by frozen moisture between the valve plate and adjacent structures.
A method for retrofitting an air turbine starter for controlling pressurized air flow thereto, the steps comprising:
A method for retrofitting a turbine engine with a turbine starter valve for controlling pressurized air flow in starting the turbine engine, the steps comprising:
A method of providing a retrofit air turbine starter valve for controlling pressurized air flow in air turbine starter, the steps comprising:
A method of providing a retrofit air turbine starter valve for controlling pressurized air flow in an air turbine starter, the steps comprising:
An air turbine starter for starting an air turbine engine, the air turbine starter having an air flow valve, comprising:
An air turbine starter for starting an air turbine engine, the air turbine starter having an air flow valve, comprising:
An air turbine starter valve for controlling pressurized air flow in starting an air turbine engine, the air turbine starter valve comprising:
An air turbine starter valve for controlling pressurized air flow in starting an air turbine engine, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
Drawings are temporarily unavailable. Open the PDF at USPTO
From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
The fluid acting on a piston: for rotating valves
Mechanical drives: the starter being a separate turbine
By means of servomotors having a plurality of working chambers: tandem constructions
With axis of rotation crossing the valve member, e.g. butterfly valves: specially adapted operating means therefor
Term ended 6 Mar 2022 (estimated)
This invention relates to air turbine engine starters and more particularly to air turbine starter valves controlling the flow of compressed air to such starters.
Air turbine type starter motors are driven by the energy of a compressed gas such as air and are often used for starting an aircraft gas turbine, or jet, engine. Honeywell International, Inc., the developer of this invention, is a leader in the air turbine starter business. Compressed air flows to the starter which causes rotation of the compressors and the turbines within the jet engine. Upon sufficient air flow through the jet engine (reflected by turbine speed or otherwise), the jet fuel can be ignited within the combustion area/combustor to start the engine. Without the compressor/turbine rotation provided by the starter, fuel combustion and air flow through the engine will not be sufficient to start the engine. The compressed air for the air turbine starter is controlled by a starter valve, such as an air regulating and shutoff butterfly valve.
A source of relatively clean dry air is desired to power the air turbine starter. The most common sources of compressed/pressurized air for this purpose are an auxiliary power unit, bleed air from the compressor stage of another operating gas turbine engine, or a gas turbine ground power cart. Upon actuation of the engine start switch, the starter valve is energized and opens at a controlled rate to permit air to flow to the air turbine starter. The air turbine starter valve output air flow spins components of the air turbine starter motor, which converts the energy in the moving air to torque. This torque is applied to the engine gearbox which is then accelerated to a predetermined cut off speed whereupon the engine can start. The pilot may manually terminate this start cycle by opening the start switch. Automatic termination may be provided for by a speed sensitive switch built into the starter or by a main engine speed signal read by a fully-automated digital engine controller, commonly known as an FADEC. When the start cycle is terminated, the starter valve is closed, thereby cutting off the airflow that powers the air turbine starter. When the starting air flow is cut off, the air turbine starter automatically disengages from the engine accessory drive shaft and comes to a stop.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment(s), taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic and cutaway view of the starter control valve of the present invention with its two actuators. Position switches and a manual override and visual position indicator are also shown.
FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the starter control valve of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 with its two actuators as potentially realized in a real-world embodiment.
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of one or more presently-preferred embodiments of the invention and does not represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the dual actuator starter control valve 100 of the present invention has a butterfly valve 102 positioned in a duct 104 for the control of pressurized air flow 106 to an air turbine starter such as that shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The opening and closing of the butterfly valve 102 serves to allow the air flow 106 past it and on to the engine starter. Initially, the valve is closed (as shown in FIG. 1) and the valve opens by rotating about a central sealed shaft 108 until it is perpendicular to its position as shown in FIG. 1 in the same plane. The butterfly valve 102 is generally circular in nature or otherwise has a perimeter conforming to the inner geometry of the duct 104. In some embodiments, the butterfly valve 102 may be at an angle with respect to the main axis of the duct 104. Two lever arms 120, 122 extend outwardly into the actuators 130, 132 and provide moment arms upon which torque can be applied about the central sealed shaft 108 and consequently upon the butterfly valve 102. A torsion spring 124 and the two return springs 142 in the actuators 130, 132 urge the butterfly valve 102 into the closed position as do the unpressurized actuators, about which more is described below. Preferably, the return springs 142 provide a linear restoring responsiveness.
As shown in FIG. 1, each actuator may have the same physical construction and is placed with respect to the butterfly valve 102 so that it applies sufficient torque upon the valve 102 such that frozen moisture or otherwise may be broken through by the normal operation of the actuators 130, 132. Using the relative depiction set forth in FIG. 1, an upper actuator 130 and the lower actuator 132 are placed on opposite sides of the butterfly valve 102, generally in a common housing situated above or outside the duct 104. As the depiction shown in FIG. 1 may be vertical, horizontal, or otherwise, it can be seen that the actuators 130, 132 are opposed and offset by the effective combined length of the lever arms 120, 122. Other relative geometries between the actuators may be advantageously realized and are within the contemplation of the present invention.