Air starter
An air starter is a ground launch device for aircraft engines . This term is mainly used for the actual starter of the jet engines . Occasionally this includes the entire unit, including the cart on which the starter is mounted.
Air starter (starter)
The air starter consists of a small turbine to which compressed air is applied from the bleed air system of the aircraft's auxiliary power unit or an external source, a reduction gear and an overrunning clutch . It is usually flanged directly to the powerplant's transfer case. The engine rotor is then set in rotation via this gear when starting. After starting the engine (at approx. 50% of the nominal speed of the engine), the mechanical connection to the starter is separated by the overrunning clutch, the engine now rotates freely and can continue to accelerate. The starter is controlled by an electro- pneumatically operated flap valve . The turbine enables a very high power density. B. the starter of the CF6-80 engine from General Electric ( Boeing 747 , Airbus A300 and A310 ) about 220 kW for 15 minutes at about 6 kg weight; it heats up to 300 ° C. Before it can be used again, it has to cool down and is then ready for use again with the “ready-to-load” signal.
Air launch car
The air take-off car is usually a pickup truck with a small gas turbine mounted on it. In some cases the device is also mounted on a trailer. The small gas turbine is able to deliver up to one kilogram of bleed air per second. The bleed air usually has a pressure of around 350 kPa at a temperature of around 180 ° C.
Air launch vehicles are required to start aircraft engines when aircraft are equipped with air starters but do not have an auxiliary engine or this is defective. In this case, the connection is made using a quick-release coupling (3 " connection). The hoses used, made of glass fiber reinforced silicone rubber, are attached to the air take-off trolley and often have to be replaced because of the high loads.