Differential geared turbine engine with torque modulation capability
AssigneePratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
InventorsGiuseppe Rago, Richard Harvey
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for controllable distribution of power from a turbine of a gas turbine engine between two rotatable loads of the gas turbine engine, comprises transferring a shaft power of the turbine to the respective rotatable loads using differential gearing operatively coupled with the turbine and the rotatable loads, respectively; and controlling the power transfer using machines operatively coupled with the respective rotatable loads, operable as a generator or a motor for selectively taking power from one of the rotatable loads to drive the other of the rotatable loads, or the reverse.
Claims12
A gas turbine engine comprising:
- a compressor and a turbine in serial fluid communication;
- a rotatable load;
- a differential gearing system for receiving power from the turbine and transmitting power to the compressor and the rotatable load;
- a first motor/generator mechanism coupled to the compressor for operating either as a motor to drive the compressor, or as a generator to take power from the compressor;
- a second motor/generator mechanism coupled to the rotatable load for operating either as a motor to drive the rotatable load, or as a generator to take power from the rotatable load;
- and
- the first and second motor/generator mechanisms being adapted for selectively modulating the torque versus speed characteristics of the compressor and the rotatable load, and for modulating the rotational speed relationship between the turbine, compressor and the rotatable load.
A method for controllably distributing power from a turbine of a gas turbine engine between two rotatable loads of the gas turbine engine, comprising:
- transferring a shaft power of the turbine to the respective rotatable loads using differential gearing operatively coupled with the turbine and the rotatable loads, respectively;
- and
- controlling the power transfer using machines operatively coupled with the respective rotatable loads, operable as a generator or a motor for selectively taking power from one of the rotatable loads to drive the other of the rotatable loads, or the reverse.
A gas turbine engine comprising:
- a compressor and a turbine in serial fluid communication;
- a rotatable load;
- a differential gearing system for receiving power from the turbine and transmitting power to the compressor and the rotatable load;
- a first power means coupled to the compressor for one of driving the compressor and taking power from the compressor;
- a second power means coupled to the rotatable load for one of driving the compressor and taking power from the rotatable load;
- and
- the first and second power means being adapted for selectively modulating the torque versus speed characteristics of the compressor and the rotatable load, and for modulating the rotational speed relationship between the turbine, compressor and the rotatable load.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.