Patent ID: 8881533

Claim:
A turbine engine comprising: a starter/generator operable to deliver rotational power in a first mode of operation and to generate electrical power in a second mode of operation; an accessory gear box mechanically coupled to said starter/generator; a shaft mechanically coupled to said accessory gear box such that said accessory gear box is operably disposed between said shaft and said starter/generator; and a clutch operably disposed between said accessory gear box and said starter/generator and operable to slip in and out of full engagement in response to a first predetermined level of torque between said starter/generator and said accessory gear box, wherein said clutch includes first and second frictional surfaces that mate with one another when said clutch is in full engagement, and wherein said first and second frictional surfaces become permanently inoperative in response to a second predetermined level of torque greater than said first predetermined level of torque, wherein components of the clutch are sized and an amount of travel of the clutch is predetermined such that components other than the frictional surfaces do not contact one another when one of the first and second frictional surfaces becomes permanently inoperative.