StaGeDiS: Starter/Generator Disconnect System

Project Description

"StaGeDiS” will establish new conceptual designs for a dual-use electrical starter/generator disconnect system, which will be installed close to aircraft main engines.

New generation aircraft require higher level of electrical power, increasing weight and volume of the necessary electrical machines/equipment/systems to perform the generation and distribution on the electrical energy inside the aircraft.

In order to compensate this increase of weight and volume the generator will be able to evolve the traditional electrical generators in order to be able to operate as an electric starter also, eliminating the need of pneumatic starter. Moreover, by deleting the pneumatic starter, the engine efficiency is also improved, by removal of the engine bleed system in the main engines and also in the APU (Auxiliary Power Unit), additionally to the weight reduction.

Due to safety reasons, the starter/generator requires a disconnection system to protect the machines and engine gearbox. This disconnection system shall be able to separate mechanically the gearbox from the starter/generator with the electrical machine operating whether as starter or generator.

This system will be commanded by an electrical pulse.

Different technologies and architectures will be studied, evaluated and compared in order to define a proper disconnection system. Criteria of compactness, weight reduction and conformity with harsh aeronautic engine environment will be also an important part of the study. The selected solution will require a detailed design and the definition and methodology of the verification and qualification tests.

Criteria of compactness, weight reduction and conformity with harsh aeronautic engine environment will be also an important part of the study. The selected solution will require a detailed design and the definition and methodology of the verification and qualification tests.

Collaborating Companies or Organisations

Indra´s Role

In accordance with its vast experience in airborne systems (as electrical/electronic as mechanical), Indra (Airborne systems department) will perform the following activities over this project:

● Knowledge support over specifications and customer requirements (TAES-Thales).

● Review and validation from the industrial validation point of view of the new system to be proposed by CT Ingenieros.

● Preparation and definition of a methodology to be applied to the future verification and qualification over the new system to be proposed by CT Ingenieros.

Universities and Technological Centers

N/A

Technologies used

It will be analyzed the different technologies of engage, clutch, gear and mechanical disconnection, depending of the different necessities (minimum and maximum shaft speed and necessary torques).

Other aspects as safety and reliability requirements, free space, interfaces, useful life, maintenance and accessibility, corrosion, command and reset, etc… will be also analyzed.

More information

This project under reference nº FP7-641503, has been cofinanced by the European Commission though the “Clean Sky Joint Undertaking” within the 7th Framework Programme (FP7) 2007-2013.