Abstract:
A system and method for preventing a flame out condition in at least one engine, includes detecting a moisture content exceeding a threshold moisture content in an operating environment of the at least one engine, and engaging at least one igniter associated with the at least one engine in response to the moisture content.
Abstract:
Combustion systems for a gas turbine engines are provided. The combustion system is configured to provide a fuel-air mist to achieve light-off during high altitude start (e.g., at altitudes greater than 45,000 ft.) without flame out. The combustion system may also be configured to provide additional air to the combustion chamber at high altitude to facilitate flame propagation and second stage burn.
Abstract:
The method and apparatus for in-flight relighting of a turbofan engine involve in one aspect selectively controlling an accessory drag load on one or more windmilling rotors to permit control of the windmill speed to an optimum value for relight conditions.
Abstract:
An igniter for ignition over a wide air/fuel ratio range. Igniter includes an igniter body including an internal cavity disposed substantially within the igniter body, an internal spark gap disposed substantially within the internal cavity, an external spark gap disposed substantially on an exposed surface of the igniter body, and a fuel charge delivery system for delivering a fuel charge to the internal cavity. A method for compression-igniting an air/fuel mixture in a cylinder of a internal combustion enigne, the method comprising introducing a substantially homogenous charge of a first air/fuel mixture into a cylinder of the internal combustion engine during an intake stroke, compressing the substantially homogenous charge of the first air/fuel mixture in the cylinder of the internal combustion engine during a compressin stoke, and combusting the substantially homogenous charge of the first air/fuel mixture in the cylinder of the internal combustion engine during a power stroke by injecting partially combusted products of a second air/fuel mixture into the cylinder, with the first air/fuel mixture having a substantially higher ratio, by weight, of air to fuel and the second air/fuel mixture.
Abstract:
A control system for an in-flight engine restart system of a rotorcraft includes an engine control unit that controls and detects status of an engine. The control system also includes a flight control computer that communicates with the engine control unit, an engine operation control system, and a pilot interface including pilot controls. The engine operation control system includes a processor that initiates a health check of the in-flight engine restart system to determine an in-flight engine restart system status. The engine operation control system processes engine mode of operation commands to establish an engine mode of operation, and delivers commands to aspects of the in-flight engine restart system including the engine control unit based on processing of the engine mode of operation commands. The engine operation control system reports the in-flight engine restart system status and results of the engine mode of operation commands to the flight control computer.
Abstract:
L'invention concerne un système de démarrage d'urgence d'une turbomachine, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un moulinet pour l'entraînement de la turbomachine, ledit moulinet comportant un tambour (2) solidaire d'un arbre (3) de rotation, les axes de symétrie (LL) du tambour (2) et de l'arbre étant confondus, le moulinet comportant en outre au moins une tuyère (4) d'éjection de gaz placée en périphérie du tambour (2) et orientée de manière sensiblement tangentielle par rapport à la rotation autour dudit axe (LL), et un dispositif pyrotechnique de génération de gaz embarqué dans le moulinet et alimentant ladite au moins une tuyère (4), ledit système de démarrage d'urgence comportant en outre un support dans lequel tourne l'arbre du moulinet et une volute de récupération des gaz entourant radialement le moulinet, solidaire dudit support.
Abstract:
Procédé d'optimisation de la consommation spécifique d'un hélicoptère équipé de deux turbomoteurs (1, 2) comportant chacun un générateur de gaz (11, 21) muni d'une chambre de combustion (CC), chacun de ces turbomoteurs (1,2) étant apte à fonctionner seul en régime de vol continu, l'autre turbomoteur (2, 1 ) étant alors en régime dit de super-ralenti à puissance nulle et avec la chambre de combustion (CC) allumée, ce régime de super-ralenti étant assisté par un entraînement mécanique en rotation de l'arbre (AE) du générateur de gaz à ce régime, de façon à réduire la température de fonctionnement et la consommation de carburant de ce générateur de gaz.
Abstract:
A gas turbine engine includes a variable inlet guide vane positioned forwardly of a low pressure compressor. The angle of the inlet guide vane is controlled at startup to increase airflow into the compressor. This is particularly useful when the gas turbine engine is being restarted while an associated aircraft is in the air, and is relied upon to increase windmill speed of the compressor and turbine rotors. A method and variable inlet vane are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A multi-injector turbogenerator system including a turbogenerator power source (142) and a power controller (140) uses a brake resistor (170) to absorb excess energy during off load events to permit reducing the rate of fuel flow at a rate slower than the rate of power reduction in order to reduce the risk of flame out.
Abstract:
Method for detecting burner blowout comprises the following steps: periodically measuring the actual pressure of ignition at successive intervals of time; periodically measuring the actual rotational speed of the generator shaft at the successive intervals of time; calculating the rate of change in the actual pressure over a successive interval of time; calculating the rate of change in the actual rotational speed over the successive interval of time; comparing the rate of change in the actual pressure of ignition over the successive interval of time to a reference pressure rate of change value; comparing the rate of change in the actual rotational speed over the successive interval of time to the reference speed rate of change value; and closing the fuel valve in response to the reference pressure rate of change value being greater than the rate of change of the actual pressure of ignition over the successive interval of time, in the presence of the rate of change of actual rotational speed over the successive interval of time being less than the reference speed rate of change value, thus stopping the fuel flow to the burner.