Patent ID: 7552582
Filing Date: 2009-06-30
Classification: F02C,F05D

Abstract:
1. A multi-spool gas turbine engine, comprising: a differential gear assembly having a first input and a second input, the gear assembly configured, upon rotation of the first input, the second input, or both inputs, to supply a rotational drive force at a first rotational speed; a generator coupled to receive the rotational drive force supplied from the differential gear assembly and operable, upon receipt thereof, to generate electrical energy; a high pressure turbine coupled to the differential gear assembly first input and adapted to receive a flow of combusted gas, the high pressure turbine operable, upon receipt of the combusted gas, to rotate at a second rotational speed; a low pressure turbine adapted to receive a flow of combusted gas, the low pressure turbine operable, upon receipt of the combusted gas, to rotate at a third rotational speed; a clutch assembly coupled between the low pressure turbine and the differential gear assembly second input, the clutch assembly movable between an engaged position, in which the low pressure turbine is coupled to the differential gear assembly second input, and a disengaged position, in which the low pressure turbine is decoupled from the differential gear assembly second input; and a low pressure input gear assembly coupled to the clutch assembly, the differential gear assembly second input, and the low pressure turbine, the low pressure input gear assembly configured, when the clutch assembly is in the engaged position, to (i) couple the low pressure turbine to the differential gear assembly second input and (ii) increase the third rotational speed to a fourth rotational speed.