Method and system for generating auxiliary power in an aircraft
View Patent ↗The invention concerns a method for generating auxiliary power in an aircraft, comprising the step consisting of: starting up an auxiliary power unit ( 6 ) of the aircraft by supplying compressed air to the auxiliary power unit ( 6 ) from a supercharger ( 7 ), and transferring non-propulsive energy from the auxiliary power unit ( 6 ) to the aircraft. The invention also concerns a system ( 5 ) for generating auxiliary power in an aircraft and an aircraft implementing such a method.
1. A method for generating auxiliary power in an aircraft, comprising:
starting a volumetric compressor via a starter generator,
starting an auxiliary power unit of the aircraft by supplying compressed air to the auxiliary power unit from the volumetric compressor, and
transferring non-propulsive energy from the auxiliary power unit to the aircraft.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein starting the auxiliary power unit includes supplying the auxiliary power unit with air coming only from the volumetric compressor.
3. The method according to claim 1 , including the step, during a transitional phase, supply the auxiliary power unit with air coming from the volumetric compressor and ambient air.
4. The method according to claim 1 , including the subsequent step of supplying the auxiliary power unit only with ambient air.
5. A system for generating auxiliary power in an aircraft, including:
an auxiliary power unit, including an air inlet, and being configured to supply non-propulsive energy to the aircraft supplementing or replacing the main engines of the aircraft,
a volumetric compressor connected to the air inlet of the auxiliary power unit,
the volumetric compressor being configured to supply compressed air at the inlet of the auxiliary power unit, for starting said unit, and
a starter generator, configured to drive the volumetric compressor and the auxiliary power unit.
6. The system according to claim 5 , wherein the volumetric compressor includes a decoupling tool configured to decouple the volumetric compressor of a shaft of the auxiliary power unit.
7. The system according to claim 5 , including a valve for controlling the flow rate between an air exhaust of the compressor and the air inlet of the auxiliary power unit.
8. The system according to claim 5 , wherein the volumetric compressor has:
an output air flow rate comprised between 0.1 and 0.2 kgs −1 ,
a rotation speed of the mechanism less than 10,000 rpm,
power great than or equal to 15 kW, and
a compression rate comprised between 5 and 10 bars.
9. An aircraft including a system for generating auxiliary power according to claim 5 .