Abstract: An engine starting apparatus and method may allow for two methods of engine start where only one engine gearbox accessory pad exists off the aircraft engine. A gearbox lubricating apparatus may also be provided to lubricate the gearbox at altitude without added complexity. Two engine starting inputs (for example, one input for ground start and one input for in-flight engine start) are provided while avoiding complex gearbox designs. Clutches may also be used to prevent the starter gearbox from continuous operation (rotation) after the engine has started. Apparatus and methods are also provided for improving the air-fuel combustion of the hot-gas turbine start input (for in-flight engine start) to minimize the build-up of solid carbon (soot) in and around the combustor and turbine nozzle flow passages.

Abstract: An engine starting apparatus and method may allow for two methods of engine start where only one engine gearbox accessory pad exists off the aircraft engine. A gearbox lubricating apparatus may also be provided to lubricate the gearbox at altitude without added complexity. Two engine starting inputs (for example, one input for ground start and one input for in-flight engine start) are provided while avoiding complex gearbox designs. Clutches may also be used to prevent the starter gearbox from continuous operation (rotation) after the engine has started. Apparatus and methods are also provided for improving the air-fuel combustion of the hot-gas turbine start input (for in-flight engine start) to minimize the build-up of solid carbon (soot) in and around the combustor and turbine nozzle flow passages.

Abstract: A power source is provided for a resistive heating element that heats a catalyst bed of a reactor that receives a monopropellant fuel and reacts the fuel in the presence of the catalyst bed to provide hot gas driving a turbine. The power source is a capacitor that discharges its charge across the resistive heating element so that its temperature is elevated to a point where the reaction of the monopropellant fuel occurs. The power source may be used in airborne applications, such as emergency power systems for aircraft, where it is desirable to minimize the weight of the unit and to allow the unit to use safer monopropellant fuels.

Abstract: An engine starting apparatus and method may allow for two methods of engine start where only one engine gearbox accessory pad exists off the aircraft engine. A gearbox lubricating apparatus may also be provided to lubricate the gearbox at altitude without added complexity. Two engine starting inputs (for example, one input for ground start and one input for in-flight engine start) are provided while avoiding complex gearbox designs. Clutches may also be used to prevent the starter gearbox from continuous operation (rotation) after the engine has started. Apparatus and methods are also provided for improving the air-fuel combustion of the hot-gas turbine start input (for in-flight engine start) to minimize the build-up of solid carbon (soot) in and around the combustor and turbine nozzle flow passages.

Abstract: A power generation system including a housing defining a cavity and having an inlet for receiving a fluid that is used to cool and pressurize the cavity and an outlet for removing the fluid from the cavity. The system also may include a rotor having a first end positioned within the cavity of the housing and a second end, a plurality of bearings, positioned to contact the rotor, for providing radial support to the rotor, and a turbine connected to the second end of the rotor. Further, the system may include a heat sink positioned within the cavity and between the housing and the rotor, and an electronic component attached to the heat sink.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a turbine control system that adjusts the control thresholds of two-position valves, which provide propellant to the turbine, based on turbine load so as to compensate for increased turbine speed overshoot at low load and the increased turbine speed undershoot at high load. These two-position on-off modulated valves are used in a bang-bang (fully open or fully closed) regulation scheme to eliminate or minimize speed droop by using variable speed bounds implemented as a function of load.

Abstract: A method to desorb water from a desiccant of an air recharge system comprises the steps of a) filling a purge reservoir using an air compressor and a desiccant dryer to produce discharge air, b) stopping the air compressor; c) back purging the desiccant, and d) vent resetting the system, wherein the filling a purge reservoir step does not result in an addition of discharge air to an air storage tank in fluid communication with the purge reservoir and wherein the air storage tank is filled with an amount of the discharge air such that the air storage tank is at a full storage tank pressure prior to filling the purge reservoir. A method of filling an air storage tank of an air recharge system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A power generation system including a housing defining a cavity and having an inlet for receiving a fluid that is used to cool and pressurize the cavity and an outlet for removing the fluid from the cavity. The system also may include a rotor having a first end positioned within the cavity of the housing and a second end, a plurality of bearings, positioned to contact the rotor, for providing radial support to the rotor, and a turbine connected to the second end of the rotor. Further, the system may include a heat sink positioned within the cavity and between the housing and the rotor, an electronic component attached to the heat sink, and a reaction chamber for receiving the fluid from the outlet and for producing a substance that is directed to the turbine causing it to rotate.