IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,345,207
Granted Patent B1
US 12,345,207 · App. 18/399,816 · Granted Jul 1, 2025

Centralized multi engine startup system for palletized applications

Inventors: Lawrence A. Binek (Glastonbury, CT); Yoel Bugin (Port St. Lucie, FL)
Assignee: RTX Corporation
F02C7/32B64D1/12F05D2220/323
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,345,207
App. No.
18/399,816
Granted
Jul 1, 2025
Kind
B1
Abstract

A centralized multi engine startup system including a pallet structure; an energized gas source supported by the pallet structure; an umbilical gas line fluidly coupled to the energized gas source; and a vehicle in operative communication with the umbilical gas line, wherein each of the energized gas source and umbilical gas line are coupled to the pallet structure and remain with the pallet structure responsive to a vehicle launch from the pallet structure.

Claims (45)

1. A centralized multi engine startup system comprising:

a pallet structure;

an energized gas source supported by the pallet structure;

an umbilical gas line fluidly coupled to the energized gas source; and

at least one vehicle in operative communication with the umbilical gas line, wherein each of the energized gas source and umbilical gas line are coupled to the pallet structure and remain with the pallet structure responsive to a vehicle launch from the pallet structure.

2. The centralized multi engine startup system according to claim 1 , wherein the energized gas source comprises at least one of a gas generator and a start cartridge.

3. The centralized multi engine startup system according to claim 2 , wherein the gas generator and the start cartridge are configured to produce an energized gas configured to start a gas turbine engine associated with the vehicle.

4. The centralized multi engine startup system according to claim 1 , wherein the umbilical gas line is fluidly coupled to a propulsion module in operative communication with the vehicle.

5. The centralized multi engine startup system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

the at least one vehicle comprises two or more vehicles supported within the pallet structure, wherein the two or more vehicles are each fluidly coupled to the umbilical gas line.

6. The centralized multi engine startup system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a quick release interface in fluid communication with the umbilical gas line, the quick release in operative communication with a propulsion module associated with the vehicle.

7. The centralized multi engine startup system according to claim 1 , wherein the pallet structure is configured to support two or more vehicles for deployment from an aircraft.

8. A centralized multi engine startup system comprising:

a storage structure;

an energized gas source supported by the storage structure;

an umbilical gas line fluidly coupled to the energized gas source; and

at least one vehicle in operative communication with the umbilical gas line;

a propulsion module fluidly coupled to the umbilical gas line; the propulsion module in operative communication with the at least one vehicle, wherein each of the energized gas source and umbilical gas line are coupled to the storage structure and remain with the storage structure responsive to a vehicle launch from the storage structure.

9. The centralized multi engine startup system according to claim 8 , wherein the propulsion module comprises a gas turbine engine.

10. The centralized multi engine startup system according to claim 8 , wherein the energized gas source comprises at least one of a gas generator and a start cartridge.

11. The centralized multi engine startup system according to claim 10 , wherein the gas generator and the start cartridge are configured to produce an energized gas configured to start a gas turbine engine associated with the vehicle.

12. The centralized multi engine startup system according to claim 8 , further comprising:

the at least one vehicle comprises two or more vehicles supported within the storage structure, wherein the two or more vehicles are each fluidly coupled to the umbilical gas line.

13. The centralized multi engine startup system according to claim 8 , further comprising:

a quick release interface in fluid communication with the umbilical gas line, the quick release in operative communication with the propulsion module associated with the at least one vehicle.

14. A process for employing a centralized multi engine startup system comprising:

a storage structure;

supporting an energized gas source with the storage structure;

fluidly coupling an umbilical gas line to the energized gas source;

configuring at least one vehicle in operative communication with the umbilical gas line;

fluidly coupling a propulsion module with the umbilical gas line;

configuring the propulsion module in operative communication with the at least one vehicle; and

fixing each of the energized gas source and umbilical gas line to the storage structure responsive to a vehicle launch from the storage structure.

15. The process of claim 14 , wherein the energized gas source comprises at least one of a gas generator and a start cartridge.

16. The process of claim 15 , further comprising:

producing an energized gas from at least one of the gas generator and the start cartridge; and

configuring the energized gas to start a gas turbine engine associated with the vehicle.

17. The process of claim 14 , wherein the propulsion module comprises a gas turbine engine.

18. The process of claim 14 , further comprising:

configuring a quick release interface in fluid communication with the umbilical gas line, the quick release in operative communication with the propulsion module associated with the at least one vehicle.

19. The process of claim 14 , further comprising:

supporting the at least one vehicle comprising two or more vehicles within the storage structure;

fluidly coupling the two or more vehicles to the umbilical gas line.

20. The process of claim 14 , wherein the storage structure is configured to support the at least one vehicle comprising two or more vehicles for deployment from an aircraft.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 7, 2024
From: BINEK, LAWRENCE A.; BUGIN, YOEL
To: RTX CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 067334/0049 →
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