Abstract: An enhanced engine starter system controls an air turbine starter at the startup of operation of a turbine engine. The engine starter system includes an air turbine starter (ATS) that operates in accordance with more than one speed/torque curve during the startup procedure. A controller commands the starter control valve to provide a regulated pressure to the ATS in accordance with a first speed/torque curve to initiate the gas turbine engine startup without exceeding a maximum or design limiting torque. Overall duration of the startup procedure is reduced by the controller subsequently operating the ATS in accordance with a second speed/torque curve having a higher operational pressure once the ATS reaches a predetermined transition speed. The torque at the predetermined transition speed on the higher pressure second curve remains less than the design limiting torque, but provides a higher torque as compared to the first speed/torque curve to reduce the duration of the startup procedure.

Abstract: An enhanced engine starter system controls an air turbine starter at the startup of operation of a turbine engine. The engine starter system includes an air turbine starter (ATS) that operates in accordance with more than one speed/torque curve during the startup procedure. A controller commands the starter control valve to provide a regulated pressure to the ATS in accordance with a first speed/torque curve to initiate the gas turbine engine startup without exceeding a maximum or design limiting torque. Overall duration of the startup procedure is reduced by the controller subsequently operating the ATS in accordance with a second speed/torque curve having a higher operational pressure once the ATS reaches a predetermined transition speed. The torque at the predetermined transition speed on the higher pressure second curve remains less than the design limiting torque, but provides a higher torque as compared to the first speed/torque curve to reduce the duration of the startup procedure.

Abstract: A turbine engine air control valve including a valve body having a fluid flow passage and a valve member disposed in the valve body. The valve member is configured to rotate about a rotation axis between a maximum flow position and a minimum flow position. The valve member includes a vane and a floating member operatively coupled to the vane. The floating member is configured to float relative to the vane, such that when the valve member is in the minimum flow position, the floating member is spaced apart from the valve body to form an annular flow gap that provides a controlled amount of minimum fluid flow across the valve member as the fluid flows through the annular flow gap.

Abstract: An inerting system and method characterized by a primary air separation module configured to communicate with an upstream source of pressurized air at elevated temperature for production of a primary downstream flow of nitrogen-enriched air to be delivered to a space to be inerted; a secondary air separation module configured to communicate with the upstream source of pressurized air at elevated temperature for production of a supplemental downstream flow of nitrogen-enriched air to be delivered to a space to be inerted when high nitrogen-enriched airflow is desired during a high flow period; and a flow controller configured to provide a warming flow through the secondary air separation module to heat the secondary air separation module to above ambient temperature during a warming period other than the high flow period.