Methods and systems for starting propeller-driven devices
AssigneeThe Insitu Group, Inc.
InventorsSteven M. Sliwa, Andreas H. von Flotow, Brian D. Dennis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and systems for starting propeller driven aircraft and other devices are disclosed. A system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a removable fixture that is coupled to the propeller and has at least one portion exposed to a flowstream to rotate the propeller during engine start-up. The fixture is configured to separate from the propeller after the engine begins to turn over (e.g., after the engine starts and/or rotates above a threshold rate). Accordingly, the system can include a releasable link between the fixture and the propeller.
Claims46
A vehicle, comprising:
- an external flow body;
- an engine coupled to the external flow body;
- a propeller coupled to the engine;
- and
- a removable fixture coupled to the propeller, the fixture having at least one portion positioned to extract energy from a flowstream adjacent to the external flow body to rotate the propeller during engine start-up, the fixture being configured to separate from the propeller while the propeller rotates.
An apparatus for starting a propeller, comprising:
- a removable fixture configured to be coupled to an engine-driven propeller, the fixture including:
- at least one vane portion having an opening positioned to receive the propeller, and a generally rigid external surface configured to be exposed to a flowstream;
- and
- at least one link configured to releasably couple the at least one vane portion to the propeller to rotate the propeller during engine start-up, the link being configured to release the at least one vane portion from the propeller when the propeller rotates.
An apparatus for starting a propeller, comprising:
- a removable fixture configured to be coupled to an engine-driven propeller, the fixture including:
- vane means for rotating the propeller in a flowstream flow, the vane means having an opening positioned to receive the propeller, and a generally rigid external surface;
- and
- link means for releasably coupling the vane means to the propeller to rotate the propeller during engine start-up, the link means being configured to release the vane means from the propeller when the propeller rotates.
An unmanned aircraft, comprising:
- a fuselage having a forward portion and an aft portion;
- a pair of wings coupled to the fuselage, each wing including a capture device configured to releasably engage a flexible line when the aircraft flies into the line;
- an engine carried by the aft portion of the fuselage;
- a propeller coupled to the engine and having a plurality of blades;
- a releasable fixture coupled to the propeller, the fixture having a vane portion corresponding to each blade, each vane portion having an aperture positioned to receive a corresponding one of the blades, each vane portion being positioned to extend into an adjacent airstream adjacent to the aircraft to rotate the propeller during engine start-up;
- and
- at least one frangible link coupling the vane portions to the propeller, the frangible link being configured to release the releasable fixture from the propeller when a rotation speed of the propeller exceeds a threshold value.
A method for starting an engine coupled to a propeller, comprising:
- rotating a propeller by exposing a starting fixture releasably coupled to the propeller to an adjacent fluid stream while the propeller and the starting fixture are airborne;
- and
- releasing the starting fixture from the propeller after an engine coupled to the propeller begins to turn over.
A method for starting an unmanned aircraft engine coupled to a propeller, comprising:
- releasably coupling vanes of a starting fixture to blades of the propeller;
- rotating the propeller by exposing the vanes to an adjacent airstream while the unmanned aircraft is in flight;
- once a rotation rate of the propeller exceeds a first threshold value, starting the engine, wherein the engine is a piston-driven, reciprocating internal combustion engine;
- once the rotation rate of the propeller exceeds a second threshold value, breaking a frangible link between the propeller and the starting fixture;
- and allowing the vanes to separate from the propeller in a generally radial direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.