Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation

Peter J Suttie

Michael E Mehrer

Gordon F Jewess

Dennis E Schmidt

Daniel L Hughes

Tarrence LaMar Mack

Alex Seguritan

Michael J Olderbak

Thomas H Diot

Edward R McQuillan

Daniel M Gregory

Stephen Worthington

Gilles E Marion

Rusty E Mayborne

Khang D Ta

Michael D Kohls

An event-driven starter controller regulates the speed of a gas turbine engine based on detected events. The event-driven starter controller is used to supply motive force to the gas turbine engine prior such that the gas turbine engine is able to ignite (i.e., achieve light-off). In particular, in response to engine speed reaching a defined threshold, the event-driven starter controller causes the speed of the starter motor to ramp or increase through a defined range of speeds suitable for engine light-off (i.e, light-off window). Upon reaching an upper threshold of the light-off window, the event-driven starter controller causes the speed of the starter motor to decrease through the range of speeds suitable for engine light-off. If at any time during the light-off window the event-driven starter controller detects a successful light-off condition, the event-driven starter controller causes the speed of the gas turbine engine to increase toward a second threshold.

Event-driven starter controller

An improved method and system for facilitating no-break power transfer between an APU and a main engine includes determining a required APU speed for conducting power transfer based on various APU operating parameters, such as engine speed, fuel, environmental temperature, etc. The APU controller then adjusts the APU speed up or down to the required APU speed. Communication between an aircraft computer and the APU controller may also be provided so that operational data can be exchanged to adjust the electrical load of the aircraft below a maximum load threshold set by the APU, avoiding overloading of the APU during power transfer. By exchanging operational data between the APU controller and the aircraft computer, both the APU and the electrical load can be adjusted to optimize no-break power transfer despite varying APU operating conditions and main engine generator frequencies.

Method and system for facilitating no-break power transfer

A multiple accessory support bracket that mounts a plurality of external accessories for an auxiliary power unit (APU) so that all the external accessories may be mounted to the APU in a single operation.

Modular LRU accessory mounting substrate for auxiliary power unit

A no break power transfer system that is particularly useful onboard an aircraft ensures that there is an appropriate frequency match between the outputs of different power supplies. A frequency adjuster between an auxiliary power unit and a load alters the frequency of power available from the auxiliary power unit before that power is supplied to the load. In one example, a controller determines when the frequency of output power from the main power supply does not match that from the auxiliary power unit. The controller controls the frequency adjuster to make an appropriate frequency change until there is a sufficient match. In one example, the frequency adjuster includes a rectifier that converts an alternating current output of the auxiliary power unit to a direct current output that is then converted by an inverter to provide an alternating current output having the appropriate frequency.

No break electric power transfer system

An APU system provides an APU which drives a permanent magnet generator, an APU controller and a fuel controller. The APU controller controls the APU speed through communication with the fuel controller to maintain the generator voltage output within specified limits in response to an engine speed set point signal, a voltage set point signal and a voltage output signal.

Control system for an auxiliary power unit

Growing community of inventors

San Diego, CA, United States of America

Peter J Suttie