Patent ID: 8492915

Claim:
A device for supplying mechanical power to start at least one engine, comprising: a power supply device for supplying electrical power with an alternating voltage and constant frequency; and a number, N1, of conversion devices for the conversion of the supplied electrical power to a respective mechanical power for a respective engine, each conversion device having a cascade starter generator for direct conversion of the supplied electrical power to mechanical power, each cascade starter generator having a first stator, a second stator, a first rotor and a second rotor, the first stator being integrally formed with the second stator and the first rotor being integrally formed with the second rotor, wherein at least one of said conversion devices comprises a frequency converter, and wherein the cascade starter generator converts a first part of the supplied electrical power into a first part of the mechanical power and a second part of the supplied electrical power, which has first been passed through the frequency converter, into a second part of the mechanical power.