Air-start assembly and method
US5349814A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 3, 1993 |
| Grant date | Sep 27, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 3, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF05D2220/50
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and assembly are effective for air-starting an aircraft gas turbine engine having a fan powered by a low pressure turbine through a first shaft, and a compressor powered by a high pressure turbine through a second shaft disposed coaxially therewith. A gear train is selectively operatively joined between the first and second shafts by selectively engaging a first clutch for transmitting torque through the first clutch only in one direction from the first shaft to the second shaft when the fan is windmilling for driving the second shaft to allow an air-start of the gas turbine engine during flight. In a preferred embodiment, a second clutch is operatively joined to the gear train and is selectively engageable at speeds of the second shaft below a predetermined release speed, and disengageable at the release speed and above for disconnecting the air-start assembly once the engine has been started.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.