US 7,481,062 B2
More electric aircraft starter-generator multi-speed transmission system
Louie T. Gaines, Phoenix, Ariz. (US); Peter J. Auer, Chandler, Ariz. (US); Glenn H. Lane, Chandler, Ariz. (US); and James A. Wissinger, Carefree, Ariz. (US)
Assigned to Honeywell International Inc., Morristown, N.J. (US)
Filed on Dec. 30, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/323,692.
Prior Publication US 2007/0151258 A1, Jul. 05, 2007
Int. Cl. F02C 3/10 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 60—792  [60/793; 60/802] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A multi-spool gas turbine engine, comprising:
a gas turbine engine including at least a high pressure turbine and a low pressure turbine, each turbine adapted to receive a flow of combusted gas and operable, upon receipt thereof, to generate rotational energy;
a high pressure starter-generator coupled to the high pressure turbine and configured to selectively operate in either (i) a generator mode, in which at least a portion of the rotational energy generated by the high pressure turbine is converted to electrical energy or (ii) a motor mode, in which electrical energy is converted to rotational energy and supplied to the high pressure turbine;
a first clutch assembly movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position;
a multi-speed gear assembly coupled to the low pressure turbine and to the first clutch assembly, the multi-speed gear assembly operable, upon receipt of the rotational energy and in dependence on the position of the first clutch assembly, to supply a rotational drive force at a rotational speed that varies over one of a plurality of rotational speed ranges;
a low pressure starter-generator coupled to the multi-speed gear assembly and configured to selectively operate in either (i) a generator mode, in which the rotational drive force supplied from the multi-speed gear assembly is converted to electrical energy or (ii) a motor mode, in which electrical energy is converted to rotational energy; and
a second clutch assembly movable between (i) an engaged position, in which the low pressure starter-generator is coupled to the high pressure turbine, and (ii) a disengaged position, in which the low pressure starter-generator is decoupled from the high pressure turbine.