US 8,039,983 B2 · Systems and methods for providing AC power from multiple turbine engine spools

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing AC power from multiple turbine engine spools are disclosed. A system in a particular embodiment includes a turbofan engine having a compressor, a first turbine and a first shaft connected between the compressor and the first turbine, and a fan, a second turbine and a second shaft connected between the fan and the second turbine. The system can further include a state power bus and a first energy converter coupled between the first shaft and the power bus, with the first energy converter including a starter/generator, and being positioned to convert a first variable frequency energy transmitted by the first shaft to a first generally constant frequency energy. A second energy converter can be coupled between the second shaft and the power bus, with the second energy converter including a generator and being positioned to convert a second variable frequency energy transmitted by the second shaft to a second generally constant frequency energy, with the second generally constant frequency energy in phase with and at generally the same frequency as the first generally constant frequency energy. A controller can be operatively coupled to the starter/generator and the generator, e.g., to control the functions of these devices.

Claims25

Dependent claims

An aircraft system, comprising:

a turbofan engine that includes:
a compressor;
a first turbine;
a high pressure shaft connected between the compressor and the first turbine;
a fan;
a second turbine;
and
a low pressure shaft connected between the fan and the second turbine, the low pressure shaft being disposed annularly around the high pressure shaft;
a synchronous starter/generator;
a first constant speed drive connected between the high pressure shaft and the starter/generator, the first constant speed drive being positioned to receive a first mechanical input rotating at a first variable rate, and provide a first mechanical output rotating at a first generally constant rate;
a synchronous generator;
a second constant speed drive connected between the low pressure shaft and the generator, the second constant speed drive being positioned to receive a second mechanical input rotating at a second variable rate, and provide a second mechanical output rotating at a second generally constant rate that is generally the same as the first constant rate;
a common bus electrically connected between the starter/generator and the generator, the bus being positioned to receive electrical power from the starter/generator that is in phase with and at the same frequency as power received from the generator;
and
a controller operatively coupled to the starter/generator and the generator.

12 more elements

An aircraft system, comprising:

a turbofan engine that includes:
a compressor, a first turbine, and a first shaft connected between the compressor and the first turbine;
and
a fan, a second turbine, and a second shaft connected between the fan and the second turbine;
a power bus;
a first energy converter coupled between the first shaft and the power bus, the first energy converter including a starter/generator and being positioned to convert a first variable frequency energy transmitted by the first shaft to a first generally constant frequency energy;
a second energy converter coupled between the second shaft and the power bus, the second energy converter including a generator and being positioned to convert a second variable frequency energy transmitted by the second shaft to a second generally constant frequency energy, with the second generally constant frequency energy in phase with and at generally the same frequency as the first generally constant frequency energy;
and
a controller operatively coupled to the starter/generator and the generator.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Systems and methods for providing AC power from multiple turbine engine spools

Life of this patent

Systems and methods for providing AC power from multiple turbine engine spools

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25