Abstract:
Duplication of engine and secondary power system components in individual auxiliary and emergency power units is avoided in an integrated power unit including a gas turbine engine (10) having a centrifugal compressor (28) and a turbine (40), a generator (18) coupled to the engine (10), an air inlet (22) to the compressor (28), a first reservoir (82) for combustible fuel, and a first combustor (34), (36) for receiving and combusting compressed air from the compressor (28) and fuel from the reservoir (82) to generate gases of combustion and feeding the gases of combustion to the turbine (40) by the provision of a second reservoir (80) for containing a compressed oxidant for combusting fuel from the first reservoir (82), a second combustor (48) for receiving and combusting fuel from the first reservoir (82) and oxidant from the second reservoir (80) to generate gases of combustion, flow paths (64), (66), (68) for introducing fuel from the reservoir (82) into the gases of combustion from the second combustor (48) to vaporize the fuel and a conduit (50), (52) for directing the combined gases of combustion and vaporized fuel to the turbine (40) to drive the same. The apparatus is useful as an auxiliary power unit when the combustor (34), (36) is in use and an emergency power unit or starter when the combustor (48) is in use.
Abstract:
A starting system for a turbine engine (10) includes a pressure vessel (14) capable of withstanding extremely high internal pressures and combustion temperatures, contains a charge of oxidant and is provided with a fuel injector (30) and a fuel igniter (32) whereby fuel may be combusted within the vessel (14). The vessel (14) is provided with a regulated outlet (36) including a valve (38) whereby combustion gases may be directed to a starter (12) for the turbine engine (10).