Boost starter system

Claim 2

In combination with a starter for an engine capable of delivering sufficient power ordinarily to start said engine, a starter shaft connected to said engine, means including a starter housing for mounting said starter to said engine to drive said engine, a (rotary gas-driven) boost motor, means for mounting said boost motor directly to said starter (housing) immediately adjacent to said starter, (and clutch means intermediate said starter and boost motor for selectively engaging and disengaging said boost motor from said starter shaft.) means for connecting said boost motor to said starter to drive said starter and means for only actuating said boost motor to add power to said starter when said starter has insufficient power alone to start said engine.

Claim 3

The combination of claim 1 (which further includes) wherein said boost motor is a rotary gas-driven boost motor, wherein said aCtuating means includes gas generator means (is provided) for firing a chemical propellant (and), means for conducting gas from said generator means to said boost motor and means for initiating firing of said chemical propellant.

Claim 4

The combination of claim 2 wherein the engine in a turbine engine, said starter is an electric starter ordinarily capable of continuous high rotational operation for a substantial period of time and said boost motor is capable of similar high rotational output at lesser power than required to start the engine.

Claim 5

The combination of claim 3 wherein the starter is a starter generator, and clutch means effects positive engagement between said boost motor and starter at speeds less than the starting speed of said engine and effects disengagement between said starter and boost motor at a selected speed above starting speed.

Claim 6

In combination, a gas turbine engine of the type having an electric starting motor or starter generator capable of delivering sufficient power ordinarily to start said engine, means for mounting said starting motor upon said engine and having a starter shaft connected to said engine to a starting speed, a boost motor and means for mounting said boost motor coaxially to said starter shaft, to drive same only when said starting motor or generator has insufficient power to start said engine.

Claim 7

In combination, a gas turbine engine of the type having an electric starting motor or starter generator capable of delivering sufficient power ordinarily to start said engine, means for mounting said starting motor upon said engine and having a starter shaft connected to said engine to a starting speed, a boost motor and means for mounting said boost motor coaxially to said starter shaft, to drive same only when said starting motor or generator has insufficient power to start said engine.

Claim 8

The combination of claim 5 wherein said boost motor is an extension of said starter and is dependent upon said starter mounting means for its mounting support.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 6 wherein clutch means is provided between said starter shaft and boost motor for selectively engaging and disengaging the boost motor from said starter shaft.

Claim 10

The combination of an electric starter for an engine capable of delivering sufficient power ordinarily to start said engine and a boost motor for said starter comprising a housing, an electric starter secured within said housing a starter shaft connected at one end to said engine, a rotary gas boost motor secured within said housing adjacent to the other end of said starter shaft, rotor means within said boost motor coaxial with respect to said starter shaft and means for connecting said rotor to said starter shaft, to drive same only when said starting motor or generator has insufficient power to start said engine.

Claim 11

The combination of an electric starter for an engine capable of delivering sufficient power ordinarily to start said engine and a boost motor for said starter comprising a housing, an electric starter secured within said housing a starter shaft connected at one end to said engine, a rotary gas boost motor secured within said housing adjacent to the other end of said starter shaft, rotor means within said boost motor coaxial with respect to said starter shaft and means for connecting said rotor to said starter shaft, to drive same only when said starting motor or generator has insufficient power to start said engine.

Claim 12

The combination according to claim 8 in which said connecting means is a clutch for selectively engaging and disengaging said boost motor from said starter shaft.

Claim 13

The combination according to claim 8 in which said rotor means is fixedly connected by a shaft to a backing plate, a clutch member mounted for rotation to said shaft coaxially with respect to said backing plate, lug means on each of said backing plate forming a driving connection therebetween, spring means intermediate said backing plate and clutch member urging said lug means rotatably out of engagement, a collar affixed to said starter shaft adjacent to said clutch means, centrifugal lugs pivotally mounted to said collar means, spring means urging said centrifugal lugs against said clutch member, and means for receiving said lugs in said clutch member to form a driving connection between said clutch member and lugs with centrifugal force due to rotation of said starter shaft drawing said lugs free of said clutch member.