Turbine Blow Down Starter for Tip Engine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional turbine engine starters are not compatible with tip turbine engines due to the absence of an external accessory drive gearbox, complicating the starting mechanism in these engines.
Innovation Solution
A fluid outlet is positioned adjacent the turbine to provide high-pressure air for starting, which can be sourced from a compressor, stored compressed air, or another turbine engine, allowing for self-sustaining operation once initiated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional starter mounted to an external accessory drive gearbox is used, then the turbine engine can be started, but the device complexity increases and the engine structure becomes elongated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the starting function directly into the turbine structure by providing a fluid outlet within the turbine assembly itself, eliminating the need for a separate external accessory drive gearbox and conventional starter mechanism. This merging of functions reduces overall device complexity while maintaining starting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the starting function from the conventional external starter system and embeds it within the turbine structure through the fluid outlet, thereby removing the need for complex external starting mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If an external accessory drive gearbox is used for starting, then the turbine engine can be started, but the engine length increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the starting function within the turbine assembly through the fluid outlet, the patent eliminates the need for an external accessory drive gearbox that would extend the engine length. This compact integration maintains starting capability while reducing overall engine dimensions.
3Ease of operation
If a conventional starter system is used, then the turbine engine can be started, but the thrust-to-weight ratio decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the starting function with the turbine structure itself, eliminating separate starting components and their associated weight. This integration maintains starting capability while preserving the high thrust-to-weight ratio characteristic of tip turbine engines.
Solution Approach 2:
The turbine assembly serves its own starting function through the integrated fluid outlet, eliminating the need for external starting equipment. This self-service approach reduces overall system weight while maintaining starting capability, thereby preserving the thrust-to-weight ratio.
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
Enables the starting and self-sustaining operation of tip turbine engines without the need for a conventional starter, maintaining efficiency and compactness.
Implementation Method 1
high-pressure air is provided to the turbine to cause rotation of the turbine
Implementation Method 2
high-pressure air is provided to the turbine to cause rotation of the turbine
Data Source
AI summary
In order to start a turbine engine (10), high-pressure fluid is directed onto a turbine (34a) to cause rotation of the turbine and thereby start the turbine engine. In a disclosed embodiment, the high-pressure fluid is provided through a fluid outlet (120) in a vane (36a) positioned adjacent the turbine (34a). The high-pressure fluid is provided by an air source, which may be another turbine engine, especially where the turbine engine to be started is a tip turbine engine that is not the primary propulsion source.