US5428275A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Controlled starting method for a gas turbine engine
Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corp
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Filing: 1993-05-12
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Granted: 1995-06-27
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Expires: 2013-05-12
Abstract
Abstract A method of controllably starting a prime mover, such as a gas turbine engine for an aircraft, in which the prime mover is coupled to a synchronous machine operable in a generating mode in which the synchronous machine converts motive power generated by the prime mover into electrical power and in a starting mode in which the synchronous machine provides motive power to the prime mover to accelerate the prime mover to self-sustaining speed includes three controlled phases: a pre-ignition phase, an ignition phase, and a torque augmentation phase. During each phase the prime mover is accelerated at a predetermined rate. When the motive power provided by the synchronous machine falls below a predetermined level, its operation is converted from its starting mode to its generating mode.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth R. Carr
- 👤 James A. Shippling
- 👤 Leland E. Weber
- 👤 Malcolm J. McArthur
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 03:03
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02N; F02N11/00; F02N11/04; H; H02; H02P; H02P9/00; H02P9/08; F05; F05B; F05B2220/00; F05B2220/50; H02P2101/00; H02P2101/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A method of controllably starting a prime mover in which the prime mover is coupled to a starer motor which provides motive power to the prime mover to accelerate the prime mover to self-sustaining speed, said method comprising the steps of: (a) during a first phase prior to ignition of the prime mover, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover at a first predetermined rate; (b) during a second phase subsequent to said first phase, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover at a second predetermined rate which is less than said first predetermined rate; (c) during said second phase, providing fuel to the prime mover to facilitate ignition of the prime mover; and (d) during a third phase subsequent to the ignition of the prime mover, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover at a third predetermined rate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
175 words
A method of controllably starting a prime mover in which the prime mover is coupled to a starer motor which provides motive power to the prime mover to accelerate the prime mover to self-sustaining speed, said method comprising the steps of: (a) during a first phase prior to ignition of the prime mover, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover at a first predetermined rate; (b) during a second phase subsequent to said first phase, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover at a second predetermined rate which is less than said first predetermined rate; (c) during said second phase, providing fuel to the prime mover to facilitate ignition of the prime mover; and (d) during a third phase subsequent to the ignition of the prime mover, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover at a third predetermined rate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
114 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the starter motor is a synchronous machine operable in a starting mode in which the synchronous machine provides motive power to the prime mover and in a generating mode in which the synchronous machine converts motive power generated by the prime mover into electrical power, said method additionally comprising the steps of: (e) during said third phase, detecting when the motive power provided by the synchronous machine falls below a predetermined level; and (f) converting the synchronous machine from said starting mode to said generating mode when the motive power provided by the synchronous machine falls below a predetermined level as determined in said step (e).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as defined in claim 1 additionally comprising the step of (e) during said second phase, detecting the ignition of the prime mover, and wherein said step (d) begins immediately following ignition of the prime mover as detected in said step (e).
Claim 5
Independent Claim
185 words
A method of controllably starting a prime mover in which the prime mover is coupled to a starter motor which provides motive power to the prime mover to accelerate the prime mover to self-sustaining speed, said method comprising the steps of: (a) during a first phase prior to ignition of the prime mover, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover at a first predetermined rate; (b) during a second phase subsequent to said first phase, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover at a second predetermined rate; (c) during said second phase, providing fuel to the prime mover to facilitate ignition of the prime mover; (d) during a third phase subsequent to the ignition of the prime mover, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover at a third predetermined rate; and wherein the first predetermined rate and the third predetermined rate are both greater than the second predetermined rate.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
185 words
A method of controllably starting a prime mover in which the prime mover is coupled to a starter motor which provides motive power to the prime mover to accelerate the prime mover to self-sustaining speed, said method comprising the steps of: (a) during a first phase prior to ignition of the prime mover, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover at a first predetermined rate; (b) during a second phase subsequent to said first phase, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover at a second predetermined rate; (c) during said second phase, providing fuel to the prime mover to facilitate ignition of the prime mover; (d) during a third phase subsequent to the ignition of the prime mover, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover at a third predetermined rate; and wherein the first predetermined rate and the third predetermined rate are both greater than the second predetermined rate.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
288 words
A method of controllably starting a prime mover in which the prime mover is coupled to a synchronous machine operable in a generating mode in which the synchronous machine converts motive power generated by the prime mover into electrical power and in a starting mode in which the synchronous machine provides motive power to the prime mover to accelerate the prime mover to self-sustaining speed, said method comprising the steps of: (a) during a first phase prior to ignition of the prime mover, causing the synchronous machine to operate in said starting mode to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover at a first predetermined rate; (b) during a second phase subsequent to said first phase, causing the synchronous machine to operate in said starting mode to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover at a second predetermined rate which is less than said first predetermined rate; (c) during said second phase, providing fuel to the prime mover to facilitate ignition of the prime mover; (d) during said second phase, detecting the ignition of the prime mover; (e) during a third phase subsequent to the ignition of the prime mover, causing the synchronous machine to operate in said starting mode to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover at a third predetermined rate; (f) during said third phase, detecting when the motive power provided by the synchronous machine falls below a predetermined level; and (g) converting the synchronous machine from said starting mode to said generating mode after the motive power provided by the synchronous machine falls below a predetermined level as determined in said step (f).
Claim 8
Independent Claim
288 words
A method of controllably starting a prime mover in which the prime mover is coupled to a synchronous machine operable in a generating mode in which the synchronous machine converts motive power generated by the prime mover into electrical power and in a starting mode in which the synchronous machine provides motive power to the prime mover to accelerate the prime mover to self-sustaining speed, said method comprising the steps of: (a) during a first phase prior to ignition of the prime mover, causing the synchronous machine to operate in said starting mode to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover at a first predetermined rate; (b) during a second phase subsequent to said first phase, causing the synchronous machine to operate in said starting mode to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover at a second predetermined rate which is less than said first predetermined rate; (c) during said second phase, providing fuel to the prime mover to facilitate ignition of the prime mover; (d) during said second phase, detecting the ignition of the prime mover; (e) during a third phase subsequent to the ignition of the prime mover, causing the synchronous machine to operate in said starting mode to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover at a third predetermined rate; (f) during said third phase, detecting when the motive power provided by the synchronous machine falls below a predetermined level; and (g) converting the synchronous machine from said starting mode to said generating mode after the motive power provided by the synchronous machine falls below a predetermined level as determined in said step (f).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as defined in claim 5 wherein the first predetermined rate and the third predetermined rate are both greater than the second predetermined rate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as defined in claim 5 wherein said step (e) begins immediately following ignition of the prime mover as detected in said step (d).
Claim 11
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of controllably starting a prime mover in which the prime mover is coupled to a starter motor which provides motive power to the prime mover to accelerate the prime mover to self-sustaining speed, said method comprising the steps of: (a) during a first phase prior to ignition of the prime mover, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover; (b) during a second phase subsequent to said first phase, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover at a predetermined rate slower than the acceleration of step (a); and (c) during said second phase, providing fuel to the prime mover to facilitate ignition of the prime mover.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of controllably starting a prime mover in which the prime mover is coupled to a starter motor which provides motive power to the prime mover to accelerate the prime mover to self-sustaining speed, said method comprising the steps of: (a) during a first phase prior to ignition of the prime mover, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover; (b) during a second phase subsequent to said first phase, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover at a predetermined rate slower than the acceleration of step (a); and (c) during said second phase, providing fuel to the prime mover to facilitate ignition of the prime mover.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as defined in claim 8 additionally comprising the step of: (d) during a third phase subsequent to the ignition of the prime mover, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover at a second predetermined rate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as defined in claim 9 additionally comprising the step of (e) during said second phase, detecting the ignition of the prime mover, and wherein said step (d) begins immediately following ignition of the prime mover as detected in said step (e).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
80 words
A method as defined in claim 8 wherein the starter motor is coupled to the prime mover via a clutch, said method additionally comprising the steps of: (e) during said third phase, detecting when the motive power provided by the starter motor falls below a predetermined level; and (f) disengaging the starter motor from the prime mover via the clutch when the motive power provided by the starter motor falls below a predetermined level as determined in said step (e).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
114 words
A method as defined in claim 8 wherein the starter motor is a synchronous machine operable in a starting mode in which the synchronous machine provides motive power to the prime mover and in a generating mode in which the synchronous machine converts motive power generated by the prime mover into electrical power, said method additionally comprising the steps of: (e) during said third phase, detecting when the motive power provided by the synchronous machine falls below a predetermined level; and (f) converting the synchronous machine from said starting mode to said generating mode after the motive power provided by the synchronous machine falls below a predetermined level as determined in said step (e).
Claim 17
Independent Claim
209 words
A method of controllably starting a prime mover in which the prime movers is coupled to a start motor which provides motive power to the prime mover to accelerate the prime mover to self-sustaining speed, said method comprising the steps of: (a) during a first phase prior to ignition of the prime mover, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover; (b) during a second phase subsequent to said first phase, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover at a predetermined rate; (c) during said second phase, providing fuel to the prime mover to facilitate ignition of the prime mover; (d) during a third phase subsequent to the ignition of the prime mover, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover at a second predetermined rate, and wherein the prime mover is accelerated at a third predetermined rate during said step (a), wherein the predetermined rate of step (a) is greater than the predetermined rate of step (b), and wherein the predetermined rate of step (d) is greater than the predetermined rate of step (b).
Claim 18
Independent Claim
209 words
A method of controllably starting a prime mover in which the prime movers is coupled to a start motor which provides motive power to the prime mover to accelerate the prime mover to self-sustaining speed, said method comprising the steps of: (a) during a first phase prior to ignition of the prime mover, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover; (b) during a second phase subsequent to said first phase, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover at a predetermined rate; (c) during said second phase, providing fuel to the prime mover to facilitate ignition of the prime mover; (d) during a third phase subsequent to the ignition of the prime mover, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover at a second predetermined rate, and wherein the prime mover is accelerated at a third predetermined rate during said step (a), wherein the predetermined rate of step (a) is greater than the predetermined rate of step (b), and wherein the predetermined rate of step (d) is greater than the predetermined rate of step (b).
Claim 19
Independent Claim
187 words
A method of controllably starting a prime mover in which the prime mover is coupled to a starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover to accelerate the prime mover to self-sustaining speed, said method comprising the steps of: (a) during a first phase prior to ignition of the prime mover, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover to an initial rotational speed at a first predetermined rate; (b) during a second phase subsequent to said first phase, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover to a rotational speed greater than said initial rotational speed at a second predetermined rate slower than said first predetermined rate; (c) during said second phase, providing fuel to the prime mover to facilitate ignition of the prime mover; (d) during a third phase subsequent to the ignition of the prime mover, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover at a third predetermined rate.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
187 words
A method of controllably starting a prime mover in which the prime mover is coupled to a starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover to accelerate the prime mover to self-sustaining speed, said method comprising the steps of: (a) during a first phase prior to ignition of the prime mover, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover to an initial rotational speed at a first predetermined rate; (b) during a second phase subsequent to said first phase, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover to a rotational speed greater than said initial rotational speed at a second predetermined rate slower than said first predetermined rate; (c) during said second phase, providing fuel to the prime mover to facilitate ignition of the prime mover; (d) during a third phase subsequent to the ignition of the prime mover, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover at a third predetermined rate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as defined in claim 14 wherein the predetermined rates of steps (a), (b), and (d) are specified by an electronic control signal having a characteristic relating to said predetermined rates.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as defined in claim 15 wherein the characteristic of the electronic signal is magnitude.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as defined in claim 14 additionally comprising the step of (e) during said second phase, detecting the ignition of the prime mover, and wherein said step (d) begins immediately following ignition of the prime mover as detected in said step (e).
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
114 words
A method as defined in claim 14 wherein the starter motor is a synchronous machine operable in a starting mode in which the synchronous machine provides motive power to the prime mover and in a generating mode in which the synchronous machine converts motive power generated by the prime mover into electrical power, said method additionally comprising the steps of: (e) during said third phase, detecting when the motive power provided by the synchronous machine falls below a predetermined level; and (f) converting the synchronous machine from said starting mode to said generating mode after the motive power provided by the synchronous machine falls below a predetermined level as determined in said step (e).
Claim 25
Independent Claim
227 words
A method of controllably starting a prime mover in which the prime mover is coupled to a starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover to accelerate the prime mover to self-sustaining speed, said method comprising the steps of: (a) during a first phase prior to ignition of the prime mover, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover to an initial rotational speed; (b) during a second phase subsequent to said first phase, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover to a rotational speed greater than said initial rotational speed; (c) during said second phase, providing fuel to the prime mover to facilitate ignition of the prime mover; (d) during a third phase subsequent to the ignition of the prime mover, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover at a predetermined rate; and wherein the prime mover is accelerated at a second predetermined rate during said step (b); and wherein the prime mover is accelerated at a third predetermined rate during said step (a); and wherein the predetermined rate of step (a) and the predetermined rate of step (d) are both greater than the predetermined rate of step (b).
Claim 26
Independent Claim
227 words
A method of controllably starting a prime mover in which the prime mover is coupled to a starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover to accelerate the prime mover to self-sustaining speed, said method comprising the steps of: (a) during a first phase prior to ignition of the prime mover, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover to an initial rotational speed; (b) during a second phase subsequent to said first phase, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover to a rotational speed greater than said initial rotational speed; (c) during said second phase, providing fuel to the prime mover to facilitate ignition of the prime mover; (d) during a third phase subsequent to the ignition of the prime mover, causing the starter motor to provide motive power to the prime mover so as to accelerate the prime mover at a predetermined rate; and wherein the prime mover is accelerated at a second predetermined rate during said step (b); and wherein the prime mover is accelerated at a third predetermined rate during said step (a); and wherein the predetermined rate of step (a) and the predetermined rate of step (d) are both greater than the predetermined rate of step (b).
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-06-26 | 1998-12-26 | 1999-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-06-26 | 2002-12-26 | 2003-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-06-26 | 2006-12-26 | 2007-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |