초록 ▼

An aircraft is provided that includes one or more engines, an air-driven generator, and a start-circuit for operably connecting an electrical output of the air driven generator for starting one or more of the engines while the aircraft is in flight. Various embodiments also provide apparatus for cro

An aircraft is provided that includes one or more engines, an air-driven generator, and a start-circuit for operably connecting an electrical output of the air driven generator for starting one or more of the engines while the aircraft is in flight. Various embodiments also provide apparatus for cross-ship electric starting of multiple engines while the aircraft is in flight or on the ground using: an electrical output of a generator attached to another engine; on-board batteries; an on board auxiliary power unit; or power received from a ground source. A single start-converter is utilized to supply power to AC starter-motors for electric starting of the aircraft's engines. In some embodiments, the engine is soft-started with the air driven generator, by controlling blade pitch in an air driven turbine driving the air driven generator, without the use of the start converter.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] An aircraft comprising:1) an airframe;2) a first propulsion engine attached to said airframe for propelling said aircraft along a flight path;3) a first electric starter motor operably coupled to said engine in a manner allowing said motor to spin-up said engine to a start speed wh

[ We claim:] [1.] An aircraft comprising:1) an airframe;2) a first propulsion engine attached to said airframe for propelling said aircraft along a flight path;3) a first electric starter motor operably coupled to said engine in a manner allowing said motor to spin-up said engine to a start speed whereat said engine can be started while said aircraft is in flight along said flight path;4) an air driven electrical generator attached to said airframe in a manner allowing air passing around the airframe when said aircraft is in flight to drive said generator for producing alternating current (AC) electrical power; and5) engine start-circuit means operably coupling said generator to said starter motor in such a manner that said electric power produced by said air driven generator may be utilized by said starter motor for driving said engine to allow in-flight starting of said engine.