Pressurized Air Start System (PASS) for Small Gas Turbine Engines

Pressurized Air Start System (PASS) technology was developed to offer a lighter weight alternative to conventional hydraulic or electric start systems for small gas turbine engine applications. PASS offers improved engine starting performance, notably at low ambient temperatures where high fluid viscosity values and reduced electrolyte levels can cause difficulties for hydraulic and battery-type start systems.

The system consists of a pressure vessel/control manifold assembly, high pressure regulator, an air vane or air turbine starter, a recharge valve, and a turbine-driven recharge compressor. Production configurations of these components have been fabricated and are currently in use after completing performance checks, development testing, and field evaluation testing.

Typical performance of the system and each of its individual components are described in this report.