US 12,234,777 B2
Offset clutch mechanism for electric starting and barring motor of a gas-turbine engine
Mathew Hill, Indianapolis, IN (US); Michael Joseph Kabbes, Indianapolis, IN (US); Erik A. Munevar, Indianapolis, IN (US); Peter Schenk, Indianapolis, IN (US); and Jacob Ward Harral, Indianapolis, IN (US)
Assigned to Rolls-Royce Corporation, Indianapolis, IN (US); and Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc., Indianapolis, IN (US)
Filed by Rolls-Royce Corporation, Indianapolis, IN (US); and Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc., Indianapolis, IN (US)
Filed on Feb. 14, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/168,947.
Prior Publication US 2024/0271574 A1, Aug. 15, 2024
Int. Cl. F02C 7/268 (2006.01); F01D 25/36 (2006.01); F02C 7/36 (2006.01); F16D 11/14 (2006.01)
CPC F02C 7/36 (2013.01) [F01D 25/36 (2013.01); F02C 7/268 (2013.01); F16D 11/14 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A clutch assembly comprising:
a first clutch member disposed near a first end of a first shaft, the first clutch member defining a first surface, and a starter motor coupled to a second end of the first shaft; and
a second clutch member disposed near a first end of a second shaft, the second clutch member defining a second surface opposing the first surface, and an accessory gearbox of a gas turbine engine coupled to a second end of the second shaft,
wherein, when the first clutch member is engaged with the second clutch member, the first surface of the first clutch member engages the second surface of the second clutch member such that rotational motion is transferred between the first clutch member and the second clutch member,
wherein the first clutch member and the second clutch member are configured to passively disengage from each other and actively reengage with each other, and
wherein an electrical center of a stator of the starter motor and an electrical center of a rotor of the starter motor are axially offset when the first clutch member is in the disengaged position, such that energy supplied to the starter motor generates an axial force on the first shaft sufficient to reengage the first clutch member and the second clutch member.