IP Library Granted Patent US 12710012
Granted Patent B2
US 12710012 · App. 17/784,048 · Granted Aug 18, 2026

Auxiliary power unit comprising a gas generator in direct-drive connection with an electric generator and an accessory gearbox

Inventors: Marc Daniel Tunzini (Moissy-Cramayel, FR); Denis Antoine Julien Real (Moissy-Cramayel, FR)
Assignee: SAFRAN POWER UNITS
F02C7/32B64D41/00F05D2220/50F05D2220/76
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12710012
App. No.
17/784,048
Granted
Aug 18, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An auxiliary power unit, in particular for an aircraft, includes a gas generator and an electric generator. The electric generator has an input shaft that is connected to an output shaft of the gas generator. The auxiliary power unit also has an accessories housing directly connected to a rotor shaft of the electric generator. The electric generator is interposed between the gas generator and the accessories housing.

Claims (13)

1 . An auxiliary power unit, comprising:

a gas generator comprising successively along a same axis, an exhaust nozzle, a gas turbine, a combustion chamber section and a main air compressor driven in rotation by said gas turbine;

an electric generator including an input shaft connected to an output shaft of the gas generator, the electric generator being coupled to the gas generator upstream of the main air compressor, on a side opposite to the gas turbine; and

an accessory gearbox directly connected to a rotor shaft of the electric generator, the gearbox having a casing with radial dimensions smaller than or equal to radial dimensions of the electric generator, wherein the electric generator is mounted between the gas generator and said accessory gearbox,

wherein the auxiliary power unit is configured to provide energy to an aircraft, and

wherein the gas generator comprises a load compressor driven in rotation by the gas turbine and mounted axially between the main air compressor and the electric generator.

2 . The auxiliary power unit according to claim 1 , wherein the accessory gearbox comprises a central pinion mounted in the casing and coupled to the shaft of the rotor of the electric generator.

3 . The auxiliary power unit according to claim 2 , wherein the shaft of the central pinion is fitted onto the rotor shaft of the electric generator.

4 . The auxiliary power unit according to claim 2 , wherein the accessory gearbox comprises at least two reduction mechanisms each coupled to the central pinion and to a drive shaft for the rotational drive of a corresponding accessory.

5 . The auxiliary power unit according to claim 1 , wherein the accessory gearbox is made by machining a metal part.

6 . The auxiliary power unit according to claim 1 , wherein the input shaft of the electric generator is coaxial with the output shaft of the gas generator and secured in rotation with it.

7 . The auxiliary power unit according to claim 1 , wherein the input shaft of the electric generator is directly connected to the output shaft of the gas generator, so that the electric generator is directly coupled with the gas generator.

8 . A turbomachine for an aircraft comprising at least one auxiliary power unit according to claim 1 .