Capacitive Accumulator for Turbine Engine Fast Start
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbine engines with fast start requirements face challenges due to the need for large and heavy battery systems or significant offboard power sources, which are weighty, expensive, and inefficient, and can be harsh on air bearings and rotordynamics.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a capacitive accumulator charged offboard and disconnected from the power source, allowing it to discharge a burst of electrical power to an electric starter to drive the turbine engine to a predetermined rotational speed, reducing the need for large onboard energy storage and enabling fast starts without significant offboard power sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If large battery systems or significant power sources are used for fast starting turbine engines, then the fast start requirement is met, but the weight penalty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitive accumulator is charged in advance to a high voltage state before the engine start sequence, so that when the start command is given, the full power is immediately available without requiring a large battery system. The capacitor bank stores energy beforehand and releases it rapidly when needed, eliminating the weight penalty of large batteries while meeting fast start requirements.
2Weight of moving object
If power is drawn slowly from battery systems, then the battery can be smaller, but the fast start requirement is frustrated and air bearings are harmed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the electrical parameters by using a capacitive accumulator that can discharge at extremely high current rates (thousands of amps) compared to battery limitations. The capacitor's ability to deliver power at varying rates, particularly its high peak power capability, enables fast engine acceleration without the weight of large battery systems, while protecting air bearings from harmful current surges through controlled discharge.
3Speed
If significant offboard power sources are used for fast starting, then the fast start requirement is met, but the power sources become expensive, bulky, and non-mobile
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitive accumulator serves multiple functions: it provides fast start power, can be charged from standard offboard power sources, and is lightweight and mobile unlike significant offboard power sources. The system combines the benefits of offboard charging with onboard rapid energy delivery, creating a universal solution that works with various power sources while eliminating the need for bulky, expensive, non-mobile significant offboard power sources.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for rapid engine starts with reduced weight and wear on components, improving power density and reducing the cost and bulk of energy storage systems, while maintaining efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitive accumulator in electrical communication with the starter and operatively configured to discharge a predetermined amount of electric power to the starter during the starting operation
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for starting a powerplant are provided. In one exemplary aspect, a starting system of a powerplant includes one or more features that allow for the powerplant to be started electrically with a burst of electrical power and without deriving electrical power from an offboard power source or a relatively heavy onboard energy storage device.