Apparatus, assemblies, and methods for mitigating thermal bow in the rotor of an engine at start-up

US11073086B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Boeing Company · US

Inventors

• Kevin Brown · Seattle, US
• Christopher M. Hodges · Maple Valley, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 27, 2018
• Grant date: Jul 27, 2021
• Expiry date: May 14, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T50/60
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Disclosed herein are apparatus, assemblies, and methods for mitigating thermal bow in the rotor of an engine at start-up. One apparatus includes a control module that facilitates operating the rotor prior to starting the engine and an acceleration module that facilitates accelerating the rotor to at least a threshold speed prior to starting the engine. An assembly includes a start-up device coupleable to the rotor and configured to start the rotor and a start-up module coupled to the start-up device in which the start-up device and the start-up module are configured to coordinate operations to accelerate the rotor to at least a threshold speed prior to starting the aircraft engine. One method includes transmitting a control signal to control the rotor prior to starting the engine and commanding the start-up device to accelerate the rotor to at least a threshold speed prior to starting the engine.