Scientists of the Novosibirsk State Technical University NETI proposed using an electric generator to start up the aircraft engine on the ground and during emergency in the air. The development was supported by Russian Foundation for Basic Research grant of 1.1 million rubles.
Scientists of NSTU NETI created a sample of starter generator, which can be used in current and promising domestic aircrafts, such as MC-21 and SSJ-100.
The electric power generator's primarily purpose is to control panel equipment and other systems of aircraft; however, a separate device starter is used during the engine start-up. Both devices are heavy and occupy much space. Scientists of the Institute of Power Electronics, NSTU NETI proposed using a specifically designed generator for engine start-up which can reduces the mass and dimensions of aircrafts and substitute the outdated equipment.
"The entire project focuses on seeking opportunities to use aircraft engine for a start-up. Now we are studying electromagnetic processes to use the generator in the starter mode, when the aircraft is either on the ground or in the air during an emergency engine stalling," said Maksim Zharkov, the lead engineer of the Insitute of Power Electronics, NSTU NETI.
To start the engine, the engineers suggest using a special converter and computer algorithms that will be created based on a mathematical description of the physical processes inside the generator. It is the program that will be the final product: it will control the converter, and through it, the electric generator.
"In fact, this is all aimed at creating a new launch system. We use an electric generator to start the aircraft engine to spin it up and then it could lift the plane into the air. This will remove the launch system that is currently in use, since it is technologically outdated and is used for only one purpose. We will be able to charge the battery with the help of the converter to be added," Maksim Zarkov explained, pointing that the new system will also reduce the size of the airplane.