Turbine Engine Starter Using Electric Steering Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
The trucking industry faces challenges in developing efficient propulsion mechanisms for medium and heavy-duty vehicles that improve fuel economy, reduce emissions, and minimize noise, with a need for effective turbine starters for gas turbine engines.
Innovation Solution
A turbine starting system utilizing an electrically driven steering pump or air compressor to supply fluid or gas to the turbine engine, with a control valve that selectively directs the fluid or gas for starting the engine, allowing for efficient rotational motion initiation and subsequent redirection to power other vehicle accessories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a turbine engine is used for propulsion, then fuel economy and emissions are improved, but a reliable starting mechanism is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a starter motor to rotate the turbine engine during starting, and simultaneously serves as a pump to drive hydraulic fluid through the torque converter. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by providing a reliable starting mechanism without adding separate dedicated starting components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the starter motor function and the pump function into a single electric motor unit. The motor's rotational output is coupled to both the turbine engine for starting and the hydraulic system for torque converter operation, merging two functions into one component to achieve reliable starting while maintaining emissions benefits.
2Reliability
If a turbine starter is implemented, then engine starting is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor performs dual functions as both a starter motor and a hydraulic pump, eliminating the need for separate dedicated starting components. This reduces overall system complexity while maintaining reliable engine starting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric motor automatically serves multiple purposes: it starts the turbine engine and simultaneously provides hydraulic pressure to the torque converter. The system uses the motor's inherent rotational capability to fulfill multiple requirements without additional complex control mechanisms or separate components.
3Reliability
If fluid is directed to the turbine engine for starting, then starting is achieved, but fluid availability for other accessories is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts fluid distribution based on operational requirements. During starting, the electric motor directs fluid to the turbine engine; once started, the same motor continues to provide hydraulic pressure to accessories through the torque converter. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by ensuring fluid availability adapts to changing system needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric motor recovers and utilizes the same hydraulic fluid for multiple purposes: first for starting the turbine engine, then for powering accessories through the torque converter. The system recovers the fluid's hydraulic pressure capability after starting and redirects it to accessory systems, maintaining versatility without compromising starting reliability.
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 reliable and efficient starting of turbine engines, optimizing energy use and reducing emissions, while allowing for the redirection of power to other vehicle systems once the engine is operational.
Implementation Method 1
an electric means for forcing a fluid... a fluid circuit coupled to the electric means for forcing a fluid... configured to direct fluid from the electric means for forcing a fluid to the turbine engine
Data Source
AI summary
System and method for starting a turbine engine are disclosed. These systems and methods for starting a turbine engine may be located on a vehicle, such as such as a Class 8 vehicle, equipped with a turbine engine as the prime mover or as a generator in a hybrid powertrain. In that regard, a fluid forcing device may be employed to start the turbine engine, such as an electric pump/compressor. The fluid forcing device may already be located on the vehicle for other purposes, and can include an electrically powered steering pump (also referred to as an electric pump) or an electrically powered air brake compressor (also referred to as an electric compressor). In order to start the turbine engine, the output of the electric pump/compressor drives an associated fluid circuit, which in turn, supplies fluid over a portion of the turbine shaft, wheel or scroll in order to impart rotational motion thereto. The rotational motion imparted to the turbine shaft, wheel or scroll aims to start the turbine engine. Once started, the output of the electric pump/compressor is either inhibited or redirected to power other devices, such as one or more vehicle accessories (e.g., steering gear, air brakes, power take off (PTO), air conditioner, etc).