Abstract: An air turbine starter includes a support structure and a turbine having a shaft and a rotor that extends away from the shaft in a radial direction. The air turbine starter also includes a mount structure that supports the turbine for rotation relative to the support structure. The mount structure is configured to transfer a force from the turbine to the support structure. The mount structure includes a deformable member that is configured to deform when the force exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An air turbine starter includes a support structure and a turbine having a shaft and a rotor that extends away from the shaft in a radial direction. The air turbine starter also includes a mount structure that supports the turbine for rotation relative to the support structure. The mount structure is configured to transfer a force from the turbine to the support structure. The mount structure includes a deformable member that is configured to deform when the force exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An air turbine start system is provided that includes an air turbine starter, a starter air valve, a turbine speed sensor, and a circuit. The starter air valve is movable between an open position, in which the pressurized air may flow into the air turbine starter, and a closed position, in which pressurized air does not flow into the air turbine starter. The turbine speed sensor is coupled to the air turbine starter, and is configured to sense the rotational speed of the turbine and supply a rotational speed signal representative thereof. The circuit is coupled to receive the rotational speed signal and is configured, upon receipt thereof, to determine whether the starter air valve is in the closed position or an open position.

Abstract: An air turbine starter includes a starter housing and a check valve. The check valve is disposed within the starter housing and is configured, in response to a pressure differential across the check valve, to selectively allow and prevent lubricant to flow therefrom. The check valve includes a valve includes a valve body, a valve seat, a valve bore, a valve element, and a plurality of rounded grooves. The valve bore is formed in the valve body between the valve seat and the lubricant outlet port. The valve element is disposed within the valve bore and is movable between a plurality of open positions and a closed position. The rounded grooves are formed in the valve body, and are disposed adjacent to, and in fluid communication with, the valve bore to improve lubricant to flow past the valve element when the valve element is in an open position.

Abstract: An air turbine start system is provided that includes an air turbine starter, a starter air valve, a turbine speed sensor, and a circuit. The starter air valve is movable between an open position, in which the pressurized air may flow into the air turbine starter, and a closed position, in which pressurized air does not flow into the air turbine starter. The turbine speed sensor is coupled to the air turbine starter, and is configured to sense the rotational speed of the turbine and supply a rotational speed signal representative thereof. The circuit is coupled to receive the rotational speed signal and is configured, upon receipt thereof, to determine whether the starter air valve is in the closed position or an open position.

Abstract: A pneumatically driven turbine drive system is coupled to a gas turbine engine that includes low and high pressure compressors, low and high pressure turbines, a lock-up clutch, and at least one engine accessory driven by the high pressure compressor. The pneumatically driven turbine drive system selectively bleeds air discharged from the high pressure compressor and supplies it to an air turbine that is coupled to the at least one engine accessory. Thus, the system selectively reduces the power extracted from the high pressure compressor and is capable of supplying power back to the engine core. This, coupled with the bleed air that is diverted from the high pressure turbine and the low pressure turbine, allows the high pressure spool and the low pressure spool to run at lower speeds when high engine thrust is not needed or desired, but when the at least one engine accessory is still needed.

Abstract: A pneumatically driven turbine drive system is coupled to a gas turbine engine that includes low and high pressure compressors, low and high pressure turbines, a lock-up clutch, and at least one engine accessory driven by the high pressure compressor. The pneumatically driven turbine drive system selectively bleeds air discharged from the high pressure compressor and supplies it to an air turbine that is coupled to the at least one engine accessory. Thus, the system selectively reduces the power extracted from the high pressure compressor and is capable of supplying power back to the engine core. This, coupled with the bleed air that is diverted from the high pressure turbine and the low pressure turbine, allows the high pressure spool and the low pressure spool to run at lower speeds when high engine thrust is not needed or desired, but when the at least one engine accessory is still needed.