Scientists from the Advanced Engineering School (PISh) of the Ufa Institute of Science and Technology have presented an efficient starter-generator for the promising PD-35 aircraft engine with high thrust. The development includes an electric machine and a control unit powered by the onboard electrical network.
This device is designed to start and maintain the operation of a gas turbine aircraft engine. The first copies of the starter successfully passed tests at the Baranov Central Institute of Aviation Motors (TsIAM) and at the PISh laboratory.
“As the name suggests, the starter initiates the operation of the units, so the starter-generator provides power to individual units and assemblies. The starter-generator for an aircraft engine, similar to how it works in automotive engines, is an electrical device that performs two main functions: starting the engine and generating electrical energy for onboard equipment systems and charging onboard batteries,” commented aviation-reactive engine test mechanic Islam Gerasiev. “It ensures efficient and reliable starting of the aircraft engine and then switches to generator mode to provide energy to onboard systems and maintain battery charge during flight. This is an important device in the aircraft’s electrical system, ensuring the normal operation of onboard systems and equipment.”
The specialist explained that in modern aircraft, more than 30% of the energy produced by the power plant is consumed by auxiliary functions, such as taxiing on the runway, air filtration, and cooling for the cabin and cockpit. Since this project proposes using electrical energy to start and provide these functions, it will make the mechanism more economical and simpler in terms of energy consumption and maintenance compared to alternative methods.
Work on the development of the PD-35 engine began in 2016, and the leading developer is the company “ODK-Aviadvigatel,” part of the United Engine Corporation of Rostec. It is expected that the new modification of the PD-35 will provide an increase in thrust by 16 tons (up to 35 tons) compared to the previous PD-14 version. This engine is an essential component for creating new wide-body aircraft in the Russian aviation industry.
Photo: Rostec