What Are Gas Turbine Engine Starters

The gas turbine engine is a powerful apparatus that enables flight for countless aircraft models, commonly coming in the form of turbofan engine, turbojet engine, turboprop engine, and turboshaft engine types. In order to initiate standard operations, the gas turbine engine relies on the rotation of the high-pressure compressor which must be accelerated to the point where optimal air intake and fuel combustion takes place. A turbine starter is the device that makes such engine initiation possible, accelerating the compressor and assisting the engine until a self-sustaining speed is reached. In this blog, we will provide an overview of gas turbine engine starters, allowing you to better understand how they are used for flight operations.

As the starter initiates its operation and has sufficiently accelerated the compressor for optimal engine airflow, the ignition process will be initiated with the supply of fuel. It is crucial that the starting process follows a very specific sequence, ensuring that there is enough compressed air to optimally mix with fuel for the best combustion properties. If a sufficient speed is not met before the combustion process begins, a self-sustaining speed would be unobtainable and the engine would either fail due to idle speed or begin to decelerate. The continued assistance provided by the starter after compressor speeds have been reached is important for avoiding the delay of the starting cycle as such conditions may cause a hot or hung false start.

While gas turbine engines may vary, the basic types of starters that assist in the initiation process include direct current motor starters, starters and generators, and air turbine-type starters. Across all common types, each may have varying methods of rotating the engine for the starting process. While there are many ways in which such processes may be carried out, a majority now rely on electric or air turbine starters. The air impingement starting system, for example, is a type commonly found on small engines which pipes in compressed air to the compressor or turbine case, directing streams at the compressor or turbine rotor blade assembly. This will cause them to quickly start rotating, allowing for standard engine operations to ensue.

Cartridge or pneumatic turbine starter types take advantage of a ground operated air supply or engine cross-bleed source, featuring operations that are similar to an ordinary air turbine starter. With the cartridge attached to the breech cap, the breech may be closed with the breech handle and partially rotated in order to engage the lugs between each breech section. The cartridge is then induced with voltage through the breech handle connector for ignition, allowing the cartridge to generate gas. Directing gas through hot gas nozzles and towards the turbine rotor buckets, the rotation of the assembly is made possible through the overboard exhaust collector. As the hot gas reaches the gas nozzle, it passes an outlet that leads to the relief valve so that pressure is maintained.

Beyond such types, a number of other variations have come about which have taken advantage of hydraulic pump components, electric motor equipment, and other various aircraft components. Veritable Aerospace is a premier purchasing platform for aircraft parts, offering customers competitive pricing on a variety of items such as sleeve engine crank products, converter direct current equipment, motor air turbine parts, and much more. Take the time to fully explore our vast catalog of items, and our team of industry experts are readily on standby 24/7x365 to assist you through the purchasing process however necessary. If you would like a quote on items for your comparisons, fill out and submit an Instant RFQ form as provided on our website and a dedicated account manager will reach out to you in just 15 minutes or less.