2) Patent Application Publication ao) Pub. No. co») United States US 201900325631 US 2019/0032563 Al Martinez (43) Pub, Date: Jan. 31, 2019 (4) AIR TURBINE STARTER (2) US.c cr FOC 7277 (201301), FRC 782 (71) Applicant: Unison Industries, LLC, Jacksonville FL (US) (72) Inventor: Luts Angel Martinez, Queretaro (MX) (21) Appl. No. 151689,996 (22) Filed: Jul. 26, 2017 Publication Classification (51) Im ch FOC 7277 (2006.01) FRC 732 (200501) FID S07 (200501) FOI 18/12 (200501) FOLD 2524 (2006.01), FULD 25/18: (200601) (2013.01); FOLD $2 2013.01): FA2N 7/08 (2013.01); FOID 25724 (2013.01), FID 28/8 (2013.01); FOID 19/12 2013.01) on ABSTRACT An air turbine starter for starting an engine, comprising a housing defining an inlet an outlet, anda flow path extend: ing between the inlet and the outlet for communicating a flow of gas there through. A turbine member is journaled within the housing and disposed within the flow pat for rotatably extracting mechanieal power from the low of gas A gear box incindes a gear tain coupled with the turbine member. A gear box housing at least partially defines an interior having an open face and a body at least partially closes the open face.Jan. 31,2019 Sheet 1 of 11 US 2019/0032563 AL Patent Application Publication nw cn b SlsPatent Application Publication Jan. 31, 2019 Sheet 2 of 11 US 2019/0032563 AlJan. 31,2019 Sheet 3 of 11 US 2019/0032563 AL Patent Application Publication €°Old zo 96 wy \_& \ ae oet ven gor} ye ee zen 99 vet: gor \ Zeb = 8s ep i = | j J ze = 98 | sit wif ove ) ser zy Ozh Oth ez vst’ ost zsPatent Application Publication Jan. 31, 2019 Sheet 4 of 11 US 2019/0032563 AlPatent Application Publication Jan. 31, 2019 Sheet 5 of 11 US 2019/0032563 Al FIG. 5Patent Application Publication Jan. 31, 2019 Sheet 6 of 11 US 2019/0032563 Al FIG. 6Jan. 31,2019 Sheet 7 of 11 US 2019/0032563 AL Patent Application PublicationJan. 31,2019 Sheet 8 of 11 US 2019/0032563 AL Patent Application Publication perl 8 °Sid 9zt zoL ger Zeb Lt ar \ zu eeu — varPatent Application Publication Jan. 31, 2019 Sheet 9 of 11 US 2019/0032563 Al e+ aN, 3 = 8 ~~ 3 : 5 t—~& iH 4 ‘Tt 7s [ 0 g 32 g 8 5 3 156 FIG. 9Patent Application Publication Jan. 31, 2019 Sheet 10 of 11 US 2019/0032563 Al FIG. 10Patent Application Publication Jan. 31, 2019 Sheet 11 of 11 — US 2019/0032563 Al 142 1280112 132° 136" 184 156 FIG. 11US 2019/0032563 Al AIR TURBINE STARTER, BACKGROUND, [0001] An sircralt engine, for example a gas turbine ‘engine, is engaged in regular operation to an air turbine starter Ait turbine starers are typically mouated to the ‘engine through gearbox or other transmission assembly. ‘The transmission transfers power from the starter to the ‘engine to assist in starting the engine, The internal compo- nents of oth the gas turbine engine and the air turbine starter spin together such thatthe air turbine starter can be used to start the engine. BRIEF DESCRIPTION 10002] In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to an ‘it turbine starter including a housing, at east one turbine rember journaled within the housing, a gear box at east partially defining an interior having an open face and where the interior at least partially houses gear train that is rivingly coupled with the at leat one turbine member, 3 retainer having a body at last partially closing the open face, and an output shaft operably coupled with the gear teain and having an output end [0003] Another aspect ofthe present disclosure relates to 1 gear box including a gear box housing at last partially fining an interior having an open face and where the imerior at least partly houses a gear train and a retainer having a body’ including a portion that at least partially ‘loses the open face. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0004] In the drawings: [0005] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a turbine ‘engine with an accessory gearbox anda starter in accordance With various aspocts described here, 10006] FIG. 2s. perspective view ofa starter that can be utilized in the engine assembly of FIG. 1, in accordance with various aspects described heen, [0007] FIG. 3 is a eros-sectonal view of the starter of FIG. 2, in accordance with various aspects described herein, [0008] FIG. 4 is «partially exploded view of the starter of FIG. 2, in aecordance with various aspocts described herein, [0009] FIG. § is a perspective view of a portion of the Starter of FIG. 2, in accordance with various aspects described herein, [0010] FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a Portion of the starter of FIG. 2, in accordance with various aspecisdeseribed herein, [0011] FIG. 7 is parially cut away perspective view of the starter of FIG, 2 with an ilet valve ina second position, in accordance with various aspects described hereia, [0012] FIG. 8 isa cross-sectional view of a portion of the starter of FIG. 2 with portions in a tooth-t-tooth event, in ‘accordance with various aspeets desribed herein. [0013] FIG. 84 isa perspective view of a portion of the Starter of FIG, 2 with portions in a tooth-o-footh event, in accordance with various aspects described herein, [0014] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view ofthe portion of the starter of FIG. 8 illustrating rotation, in accordance with various aspects described herein, [0015] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the portion of the starter of FIG. 8 illustrating retraction, in secordance With various aspocts deseribed herei, Jan. 31, 2019 [0016] FIG. 11 isacross-setional view ofa portion ofthe starter of FIG. 2 with pinion gear in an engaged position, in accordance with various aspects desribed herein, [0017] FIG. 11A isa perspective view ofs portion ofthe starter in the postion ilustated ia FIG. 1, in accordance with various aspects described herein, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS [0018] The present disclosure is related 0 a driving mechanism generating kinetic motion in the form of a rotating shaft coupled with a piece of rotating equipment One non-limiting example is an air turbine staner, The Starter can have various applications including, but_not limited to, starting a gas turbine engine, starting a recipro- cating engine, starting a marine engine, oF the like. {0019} All directional references (e.,, radial, upper, Tower, upwand, downward, lel, right, lateral, front, back, ‘op, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding ofthe disclosure, and do not create limitations particularly as to the position, crien- tation, or use thereof. Connection references (eg, attached, coupled, conaected, and joined) are to e construed broadly ‘and can include intermediate members between a collection ofelements and relative movement between elements unless otherwise indicated. As such, connection references donot necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected ‘and in fixed relation t each other, The exemplary drawings are for purposes of illustration only and the dimensions, positions, order, and relative sizes reflected in the drawings tached hereto can vary. [0020] As used herein, the tenn “forward” or “upstream” refers to moving in a lid flow direction toward the inlet, oF ‘ component being relatively loser to the inlet as compared to another component. The tem “aft” of “downstream” refers toa direction toward the outlet ofa flow path relative ‘o the air turbine starter, oF a component being relatively closer to the outlet as compared to another component Additionally, as used herea, the terms “radial” or “radially” refer toa dimension extending between a center logitainal axis of the engine and an outer engine circumference. It should be futher understood that "a set” can include any number of the respectively described elements, including only one element [0021] Referring to FIG. 1, a starter motor or ai turbine starter 10 is coupled to an accessory gearbox (AGB) 12, also known as a transmission housing, and together are sche- ‘matically illustrated as being mounted toa turbine engine 14 such asa gas turbine engine. The turbine engine 14 includes ‘an ir intake witha fan 16 that supplies arto a high pressure compression region 18. The air intake with a fan 16 and the high pressure compression region collectively are known a the ‘cold section’ of the turbine engine 14 upstream of the ‘combustion. The high pressure conipression region 18 pro- vides a combustion chamber 20 with high pressure air, Inthe combustion chamber, the high pressure airs mixed with fel an combusted. The hot and pressurized combusted gas passes through a turbine region 22 before exhausting from the turbine engine 14, As the pressurized gases pass through the turbine region 22, the turbines extract rotational enemy from the low of the gases passing through the turbine engine 14. The high pressure turbine of the turbine region 22 can be coupled to the compression mechanism (not show) of theUS 2019/0032563 Al high pressure compression gion 18 by way of a shaft 19 power the compression mechanism. [0022] The AGB 12 is coupled tothe turbine engine 4 at turbine region 22 by way of a mechanical power take-ofl 26 ‘The mechanical power take-off 26 contains multiple gears and means for mechanical coupling of the AGB 12 to the turbine engine 14. Under normal operating conditions, the power take-off 26 translates power from the turbine engine 14 to the AGB 12 to power accessories of the aireralt for ‘example but not limited to fuel pumps, electrical systems, ‘and cabin environment controls, The aie turbine starter 10 is ‘offen mounted near at least one ofthe AGB 12 o the power take-oif 26 of the turbine engine 14. For example, the air turbine starter 10 can be mounted on the outside of either the ‘ir ntake egion containing the fan 16 or on the eore near the high pressure compression region 18. [0023] During operation the ir turbine starter 10 can be used to initiate the rotation of the engine, While the air turbine starter 10 has been illustrated as being utilized in the ‘environment ofan aireraft engine, it will be understood that the disclosure isnot so limited, The air turbine starter can be used in any suitable environment to initiate rotation jnclud- ing in other mobile or non-mobile applications as desire. [0024] Referring now to FIG. 2, an exemplary ai turbine Starter 10 is shown in greater detail. Generally, the air ‘urbine starter 10 inches a housing 30 defining an inlet 32 and a set of outlets 34. flow path 36, illustrated schem ‘ally with an arrow, extend between the inlet 32 und set ‘outlets 34 for communicating a flow of fluid, including, bot not limited t gas, compressed ar, or the lke, there through ‘The housing 30 can be made up of two or more parts that are ‘combined together or can be integrally formed as single piece. In the depicted aspects ofthe disclosure, the housing 30 ofthe air turbine starter 10 generally defines, in an in-line Series arrangement, an inlet assembly 38, a turbine section 440, pear box 42, and a drive section 44. The air turbine starter 10 can be formed by any materials and methods, inchuding, but not limited to, die-casting of high strength and lightweight metals such as aluminum, stainless steel, iron, or titanium. The housing 30 and the gear box 42.can be formed With a thickness sufficient to provide adequate mechanical rigidity without adding unnecessary weight to the ae turbine starter 10 and, therefore, the aircraft [0025] A seen better in FIG. 3 the inlet assembly 38 inchudes an inlet coupling 46 that can be connected with any suitable conduit conveying a flow of gas including, but not limited to, pressurized gas, In one non-limiting example the gas is air and is supplied from a source of gas flow, inchuding, but not limited to, a ground-operai ‘auxiliary power unit, or a crost-bleed start from an engine already operating. The inlet coupling 46 is fuly coupled ‘with an inlet plenum 48, which directs pressurized air into the turbine setion 40 vis an inlet opening 50, An inlet valve 52 can selectively open and dose the inlet opening 50, The inlet opening 50 is in-line withthe turbine section 40. More specifically, an axis of rotation $1 has been illustrated fo the ‘urbine section 40, The inlet opeaing 80 is aligned with the ‘axis of oation 1. While the inlet coupling 4 is oriented in an upwards diretion it will be understood that feed of air though the inlet opening 80 via the inlet valve 82 in-line ‘withthe turbine section 40. This allows for a more compact, ‘sit turbine star 1. 10026] The inlet valve $2 can be any suitable inlet valve tnd has been exemplaiy illustrated herein as a pneumatic Jan. 31, 2019 inlet valve, The inlet valve 52 is disposed atleast partially ‘within the inlet opening $0 and is moveable between an open positon and a elosed position. A pacumatie actuator can be ‘ullized to move the inlet valve $2 into its open position. “The source of pneumatic power to the actuator can be pressurized air supplied from, for example, an auniliary power unit (APU), bleed air from another engine compres- sor, a ground cart, or the like. In some instances, the pressurized air supplied to the air turbine starter 10 and the inlet valve 82 is non-regultod, and ata pressure magnitude treater than what can be nesded forthe ae turbine starter 10 ‘operation. Hence, some inlet valves 82 can also he coafig- ured as a pressure regulating valve, to thereby regulate the pressure of the air flow tothe ai turbine starter [0027] The pressurized air can be supplied at aperture $4 into a cavity 86 in a valve sout $8. Regardless ofthe specific source of the pressurized sig the ar supplied pushes the inlet valve 52 from the closed position to an open positon (FIG. 7). A biasing clemeat 60 can be included to bias the inlet valve 52 toward the closed position when pressurized ait is 1 longer supplied tothe cavity 86. The biasing element 60 can be any suitable mechanism and has been illustrated herein, by way of non-limiting example, asa col spring. {0028} If tie inlet valve 52 is in the open position, pres- surized airs directed ino the inet plenum 48, lows throvgh the inlet 32 of the housing, a ow ehannet 62, and exits the housing 30 via the set of outlets 34. The flow channel 62 includes aa axial ow portion 64 formed through @ sing assombly 66 that is mounted within the housing 30 proxi sate the ialet 32. The rig assembly 66 includes a central aperture 68 anda set of circumlerentially spaced nozzles 70 (better illustrated in FIG. 4) that are integral with and projected radially from surface ofthe ring assembly 66. An inet to the flow channel 62 is provided by the central ‘aperture 68 and the oaly outlets are those defined by the nozzles 70 of the ring assembly 66 [029] Within the turbine section 40 there are include a set, tf rotors or turbine members, In the illustrated example, a first bine member 72 and a second turbine member 74 form a twin-twebine member and are rotationally mounted Within the housing 30 at the turbine section 40 an disposed Within the flow path 36 (FIG, §) for rotatably extracting mechanical power from the low of gas along the flow path 136. The first urbine member 72 and second turbine member 74 define first a second stages, respectively, of the turbine section 40, In paaticular, the frst turbine member 72 and second turbine member 74 include wheels having a number cof vanes or nozzles along theie periphery. The nozzles 76 of the frst turbine member 72 are aligned with the nozes 70 of the ring assembly 66 and ina closely spaced relation to the inner surface ofthe housing 30, An intermodae ring 80 having nozles 82 canbe located in botwoen the first turbine ‘member 72 and second turbine member 74. The nozzles 78 of the second turbine memiber 74 can be aligned withthe nozzles 82 of the intermediate ring 80 and in a closely spaced relation to the inser surface of the housing 30 [0030] The frst turbine member 72 can be considered a first stage rotor and the second turbine member 74 can be considered a second stage rotor. Similarly the ring assembly 6 can be considered a first stator or frst nozzle stage and the intermediate ring 80 canbe considered a second stator oF second nozzle stage. The ing assembly 66 has been ilus- trated as including sixtoen nozzles 70. The intermediate rng has been illustrated as including twenty-four nozzles 82US 2019/0032563 Al Both the fist and second nozzle stages have an increased number of nozzles than what are typically found in legacy Starters ofthis size (14 and 22, respectively). The additional nozzles in combination with higher allow the air turbine starter 10 0 consume more sie awl at higher pressure over legacy products, This allows fora higher torque of 70 psig, which is 26% more than other legacy starters. While sixteen nozzles 70 and twenty-four nozzles 82 are described, add- tional or fewer nozzles can be included ona east one of ring assembly 66, intermediate rng 80, or the like. For example, in one non-limiting example, the intermediate ring 80 can include twenty-five nozzles 82 [0031] The first turbine member 72 and second turbine member 74 are coupled via an output shat 90. More specifically, the first turbine member 72 and seoond turbine rember 74 can each include a central hub portion 92 that is keyed toa first portion of the output shaft 90. The output shaft 90 is rotatably supported by a pair of bearings 94 [0032] The output shaft 90 acts as a rotational input to & ear tran 96, disposed within an interior 98 of the gear box 42. The gear train 96 can include any gear assembly, including, but not Fimited to, a planetary gear assembly or 8 pinion gear assembly: ‘The output shaft 90 couples the gear train 96 to the first and second turbine members 72, 74 ‘allowing for the tansfer of mechanical power to the gear train 96. The interior 98 of the gear box 42 can contain a lubricant (not show), including, but not limited to, a grease ‘orl to provide lubrication and cooling to mechanical pats ‘contained therein such asthe gear train 96 [0033] 8 retention member 100 can he mounted to the ear box 42 and can be included to cap of the interior 98 of the gear box 42. The retention member 100 can include a plate 102 with an aperture 104 through which the output shaft 90 can extend. While the term “plate” has been utilized herein it will be understood that such portion of the retention member 100 need not be Ml In the illustrated example, the plate 102 includes a nonplanar or stepped profile, by way of non-limiting example. 0034] Iti he understood thatthe retention member 100 can have any suitable shape, profil, contour, efe. In the ilsiated example, a peripheral portion can be mounted heween the housing and the gear box and the plate 102 includes a central portion that extends into the housing with the aperture 104 located therein. The body or plate 102 can inchude a frustro-conicl portion, This need not be the case and the retention member 100 can be any suitable retainer ‘configured to impede of limit movement of the Inbricaat from an interior ofthe gearbox 42. It will be understood that the output shat 90 and the eetention member 100 can form a flid-ight seal [0035] The retention member 100 is adapted to maintain the grease within the geur box 42 for a life ofthe gear box. It's contemplated that when a lubricant, such as grease, is Tocated within the interior 98 thatthe retention member 100 ‘can retain the lubricant within the interior 98, This limits migration of lubricants within the housing 30 and results in improved gear lubrication so thatthe gear box 42 does not dry out as has been an isue in conventional assemblies. Further, no additional amount of lubricant needs to be added ‘during the Tie of the assembly [0036] An output of the gear train 96 can be operably ‘coupled toa fist end 106 of deve sha 108, The reatable drive shaft 108 ean be constructed by any materials and methods, eluding, but aot limited to extrusion or machin- Jan. 31, 2019 ing of high stength metal alloys such as those containing slumninum, iron, nickel, chromium, titanium, tungsten, vana= dium, oF molybdenum, The diameter ofthe drive shaft 108 can be fixed or vary slong its length [0037] An aperture 10 can be located within the gear box 42 through which the first end 106 of the driveshaft 108 can extend to mesh with gear train 96.A second housing 112 can be operably coupled! with the gear box 42. The drive shatt 108 can be rotatably mounted within the second housing 12. [0038] For example, a second end 116 of the drive shat 108 can be mounted for rotation within a bearing unit 118 supported and contained in an end housing 120. The end housing 120 can be mounted tothe second housing 112 in ‘any suitable manner. The end housing 120 is formed and ‘iounted to have its ianer wall surface in concentric closely spaced relation tothe structure, which it contains and has ‘one ad thereof aburted and bolted tothe end ofthe second housing 112. The second housing 112 and the end housing 120 are fixed to be coaxial with the housing 30 and second housing 112, In this manner the housing includes a plurality of sections mounted together. [0039] The end housing 120s cut away at an outermost ena portion 122 to expose a portion ofthe drive sbaft 108 ‘and a pinion gear 124 operably coupled thereto. In the illustrated example, the end portion 122 ean be considered the bottom of the end housing 120 and can expose an underside of the drive shaft 108 and pinion gear 124. The ena housing 120 also houses clutch assembly 126 operably coupled to the deve shaft 108. In the illustrated exemple, a spline 132 having a helical threaded portion 134 (FIG. 7) ‘operably couples the drive shaft 108 and elutch assembly 126. The clutch assembly 126 can include any manner of coupling including, but not Timited to, gears, splines, a lute mechanism, or combinations thereof. Inthe illustrated. example, the clutch assembly 126 includes a clutch spline 136 having a complimentary intenal helical thread 138 with, that of the helical thread portion 134, A second clutch rember 140 ca selectively operably couple to the eluch spline 136 via adentl connection 142. More specially, the ‘opposing of adjacent faces of the clutch spline 136 and second clutch member 140 ae provided with complement- ing mutually engageable inlined tongue transmitting dent teeth 144 and 146, respectively (FIG. 4), The deni teeth 144 and 146 are by way of non-limiting example, of the saw- ‘woth variety to provide @ one-way overruaning clutch connection, [0040] The pinion gear 124 is illustated as being posi- tioned on the drive shaft 108 atthe sevond end 116 imme- siately adjacent an output side of the clutch assembly 126. More spoctially, the pinion gear 124 is coupled to oF intogrally formed wit the second clutch member 149. The pinion gear 12.4 is adapted for movement into and out of engagement with an engine ting gear 180 (FIG. 7), for example, along the coaxial direction ofthe drive shat 108. ‘The air turbine starter 10 is mounted in connection with the turbine engine 14 so thatthe dive shaft 108 is parallel to gear teeth on and defining the peripheral limit ofthe engine ing gear 150 [0041] An assembly for moving the pinion gear 124 ‘oward or avay from the engine ring gear 150 can include ‘piston 128, an indexing assembly 130, and a solenoid 152, ‘The solenoid 182 can be any suitable solenoid. In the illustrated example, the solenoid 182 contols the flow of aiUS 2019/0032563 Al into an aperture 184 coupled to 2 closed end 156 of the secon housing 112. The solenoid 152 can also contol the selow into valving aperte 84 0042] FIG. 4 beter illsiates that the housing 30 inclndes a peripheral wll 160 defining an interior 162 and an exterior 164. The set of outlets 34 are leated at a midsection of the housing along the peipherl wall 160 ‘afer the second turbine member 74. In the illustrated ‘example, the peripheral wall 160 is eytndical peripheral wall. The peripheral wall can be formed in any suitable manner ineluing that it can have a wall thickness of 2.54 nilimeters (0.100 inch, The set of outlets 34 can span a potion of the circumference ofthe peripheral wall ineloding that they ean span 270 degrees or more the icumference In the illustrated example, the set of outlets 34 jnelode a plurality of utlts or apertures that ae circumferenally Spaced about 360 depres ofthe peripheral wall 160. The st of outlets 3 are iste as inclading lip ros of outlets akbough it wll be understood tht this need not be the ease. The ous 34 en be located, aang, or oriented in any suitable locations and manners. The set of outlets 34 is israted os including exhaust ports 340 ana 34 that ‘ary insize, Such size dillerentiation canbe purely aesthetic in nature or ean be uilized to fall other reauirements such 48 sized to create smal exhaust openings, tapping of sew pots, ete. Inthe illustrated example, there are illustrated thinysvo larger exhaust ports Maan eight smaller exhaust pots 34h, Its contomplsted that he exhaust ports 84a and $b can be of any suitable size inching, but ao ited a, thatthe larger exhaust ports Ma can be 15.875 asilimeters (64 of an inch) and the smaller exhaust pors 34 can be 11.1125 ailimeters (74s of an inch). It wll be understood that altematvely only one size exhaust port canbe included, that additonal ies can be included, and that any numberof pots of the Various sizes can he ineloded. The outlets 34 ean include any suitable por for providing alow resistance ‘escape pt for th gas to leave the ae turbine starter 10 ‘Wii alieratve shapes, profiles, contours ean be utizad, round outlets 34 are illstated for exemplary purposes. Further, it will be understood that the larger the area the ‘outlets 34 cover, the le resistance forthe ga8 and the leser the amount of back pressure. The backpressure can be measured between the second stage rotor and the exhaust Aspects ofthe disclosure resin | psig of pressure or les This is lower than legacy produets tat havea back pressure ‘of upto 10 psig. 10043] F1G.S more clay illustrates sereen or ontain- ment sereen 166 disposed relative to the housing 30. The ‘contaiament sera 166 canbe locate within the interior 162 ofthe housing 30 upsteam of he set of outlets 34. The ontaiament sereen 166 can be located proximate tthe second turbine member T4. More specially, it can be lose located to the exhaust ofthe second turbine member 114 and axially betseen the second turbine member T4 and the set of utes 34. While ican be mounted in any suitable manaer within the housing 30, the continment screen 166 ts been illustrated a being mounted ta bearing hub 168 ‘of the bearing 94, which forms an axial retention device ‘xdapted to axl eta he containment seen 166 elative tothe housing 30. The containment screen 166 can extend to but the peripheral wall forming the housing 30 0048) The consinment screen 166 ean be formed in any suitable manner inchadng that it can inelode a plate with ‘openings 167, perforated shect wih openings 167, 0a mesh Jan. 31, 2019 seroen with openings 167. The containment Seen 166 can be formes of any stable material including, but not Kimited {o, sanless steel and have any suitable sized openings and percent open area. Inthe illustrated example, the contin ‘ent sereen 166 has 60% open arca as to provide beter containment but not substantially inerease the backpressure [0045] Among other things, the consinmeat seen 166 in combination with he sot of outlets 34 create a tortious path forthe flow of gas out of the ai turbine starter 10. The containment screen 166 in combination with the set of cules 34 and thee sal size lessens the chance that par, particulates, or other debris will escape the housing 30, FG. 6 isan enlarged eros-sectonal view ofa portion ofthe air turbine starter 10 illustatng an exemplary tortious path 170 The craton of such tortious paths can be particulary advantageous when metal or other contaminants enter the housing via the inlet 32. Such debris ean eeate sparks within the interior 162 ofthe housing 30 and the inelosion of the containment sereen 166 slong with the small diameter ‘ls 34 deters the spars from leaving the bousing 3. The containment screen 166 slong with the small diameter cues 34 can also act as several forms of mechanical containment shoulda potion ofthe aieturbine starter 10 fa. {0046} FIG. 7s a pacally cutaway perspective view of| the air turbine starter and illustrates exemplary dimensions forthe ar turbine starter 10. For example, a otal length (L) ofthe aie turbine starter 10 can be approximately less than 0. (19.7 inches). Further stl the length ofthe air turbine Starter 10 from the engine mouating surface (t 112) 0 the alten ofthe starter at nlt 32 canbe less than 39 em (15.33 jnches). The extension of the end portion 122 an be less than 9.7 em (3.82 inches) By way of nonlimiting example, the diameter (HT) of the ir turbine starter 10, which genenly inches the heght except forthe inlet assembly 38, solenoid valve 152 and hosesfiings canbe equal of less than 15.63 em (6.15 inches) inching that he elisa penton ofthe housing 30 can have a diameter of 14.6 em (6.75incbes or less, The eight inlaing the inet assembly (G2) canbe equa too ess than 1717 em (6.76 inches). The height ineluding the solenoid valve 152 (113) cam be equal or Jes than 23.5 em (0.25 inches [0047] FIG. 7 also illustrates that aspects ofthe present Gisclosure include that a secondary soppy por or sie supply port 148 can be included in the inlet assembly 38. I is Contemplate thatthe air turbine starter 10 can serve a dual Fnction oe purpose and aso at 38a pressurized ae supply point. More specially, the sir supply por 148 is coupled tothe low ofthe pressirized zis inthe sr turbne starter 10 a adapted to providea secondary supply ofthe pressurized 2 from the air turbine starter 10. The air supply por 148 an allow a user access 0 pressurized air lcated in the plenum 48 ofthe housing 30, prefembly when the inlet valve 52 sin theclosed position, For example, inone non-limiting aspect of the disclosure, the air supply port 148 can be ‘adapted with an interface for selecubly providing a pres- Sura air or gas pot for another pute tol or deve In this sense the sir supply port 148 can provide a port 148 enabled to allow a user or operator o receive or tlize the 2s fom the pressurized source va the ar turbine starter 10, ‘without atonal intervening structure, flow paths, con- recto, interface converters or the like none norliiting spect ofthe disclosure, the ae supply port 148 ean include the form of a inch (1.5875 em) national pipe taper (NPT) port. While not illustrated it will be understood that pg,US 2019/0032563 Al ‘canbe included inthe aie turbine starter 10 and such plus.can be adapted to selectively close the secondary supply port 148. 10048] FIG. 7 also illustrates te inlet valve $2 in an open positon. During operation, the solenoid 182 ean control a flow of air supplied to the aperture $4, for example via tubing (at shown). As air ills the cavity $6 the inlet valve 52 pushes against the biasing element 60 and the inet valve 52 is moved to the open position as shown in FIG. 7 Pressurized air directed into the inlet plenum 48 then flows through the inlet 32 ofthe housing, a low channel 62, and «drives the fst and second turbine members 72 and 74 before ‘exiting a mid-section ofthe housing 30 via the set of outlets +34. Thus, when the inlet valve 82 isin the open position, ‘compressed air ean flow through the inlet valve $2, and into the turbine section 40. The pressurized air impinges upon the first and second turhine members 72 and 74 causing them 9 rotate at a relatively high rte of speed. 10049] Because the inlet valve is described as being pow ‘ered by pressurized air it can be considered a pneumatic valve. Although it will be understood that altemative valve mechanisms and actuators can be utilized. When air is no longer supplied into the cavity 56, the biasing element 60 ‘can return tots uncompressed state and move the inlet valve 52 hack to the closed position (FG. 3), When the ialet valve 52 is in the closed positon, compressed air flow to the turbine section 40 ean be prevented, [0050] In normal operation, when itis desired to start the turbine engine 14, the pinion gear 124i shifted tothe right so that pinion geur 124 engages engine ring gear 150, More spocifially, when the first and second turbine members 72 and 74 are driven they cause the output shaft 90 to rotate ‘The output shalt 90 acts as an input to the gear train 96, Which in turn eauses the drive shaft 108 to rotate. Tongue is transmitted through the spline 132 from threaded portion 134 to clutch assembly 126, o pinion gear 124 via dentil ‘connection, sd finally to the engine sing gear 150. 10051] As the engine 14 fires and becomes selEoperting, the engine ring gear 150 can drive pinion at a speed greater than that ofthe drive shaft 108, Deal teeth 144 and 146 will slip so that the air turbine starter isnot driven at high engine speeds, 10052] The air turbine starter 10 is further designed to provide an indexing function should the pinion gear 124 abut one of the teeth of engine ring gear 180 when being ‘actuated to the right into engagement, FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the starter ina tooth-to-ooth ‘even. it willbe understood that the portion ofthe ar turbine Sarer 10 illustrated in FIGS. 8-114 js illustrated with the ‘opening inthe end housing 120 in the upwards postion for clarity purposes. 10053] When pressurized air is introduced into the closed ‘end 156 ofthe second housing 112 via the aperture 184, the pision 128, indexing assembly 130, clutch assembly 126, and pinion gear 124 are pushed towards the end housing 120 3 indicated by the arrow 172, Ultimately, the pinion gear 124s supposed to mesh with the engine ring gear. However, ‘when there is a tooth-to-ooth event, movement ofthe pion ear 124 is obstructed by tooth abutment of the engine ring Bear 150, More specifically the teoth ofthe pinion gear 124 hit teeth ofthe engine ring gear 150, Indexing takes place When engagement between the pinion gear 124 and the ‘engine ring gear 150 is not achieved at the fist sttompr. More Jan. 31, 2019 [0054] Referring now to FIG. 9, due to the force ating on the piston 128 and the indexing assembly 130, ilstrated by ‘avo 174, an iateraal mechanism in te indexing assembly 130 roates inside the dentilcltch spline 136 as illustrated by arrow 176. While the indexing assembly 130 can rotate any suitable amount itis contemplated that the indexing assembly 130 rotates by approximately one half pinion ‘woth. It will be understood thatthe pinion gear 124 and the dent clutch spline 136 remain stationary during the index- ing movement [00S5] After the tooth-to-ooth event, the piston 128, indexing assembly 130, clutch assembly 126 and pinion gear 124 are retracted away from the end housing 120, 2s iMlustrated by arrow 178 in FIG. 10. During this retraction a spring 180 internal tothe indexing assembly 130 initiates the reindexing of the pinion gear 124. The new pinion position is established as the spring unloads during the reirction (Once the pinion gear 124 rotates and achieves the indexed position, the spring 180 pulls back the drive shaft 108 assembly to the completely retracted position and due w the action of the air behind the piston 128, the drive shaft 108 ‘moves forward once more to engage tothe engine ring gear 150, A new engagement is then attempted wit the pinion ear 124 in a new position based on the indexing. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the pinion gear 124 can properly ceagage the engine ring gear 180, [0056] Advantages associated with the starter describes herein include preventing undesirable back driving of the starter lor a turbine engine. By preventing back driving, wear to the parts described herein, in particular the drive shaft and output shalt decrease. Decreasing, wear in tum increases the life of the parts, The starter as described herein enable lower maintenance cost and easy repair. The starter gearing mechanism socomplishes ll the aomnal functions of ‘impact cushioning, indexing, overrunning, automatic dent ‘woth separation, et. [0057] The arrangement of the set of oudets about the cylindrical peripheral wall 160 allows for 360 degrees of exhaust out of a variety of ports, In starters with fewer exhaust ports the exhaust is more concentrated and prohibits where that starter can be mounted, or in what orientation it can be mounted ia, without blocking or obstructing. the ports. Conversely, the set of outlets described above allow for flexibility in mounting the aie turbine state 10. The air turbine starer 10 merely needs to be coupled at several specie points including the inlet 32:and the pinion gear 124. As the inlet assembly 38 can be roated in any manner so long 2s an incline airflow is provided atthe inlet 32, this allows for numerous erieatatons ofthe air turbine stare 10 [0058] The present disclosure also allows for more power tw beextracted from the second stage. ln legacy products, the power distribution i typically 70% of power coming from the frst stage (a stage isthe combination of a stator and a rotor) and only 30% from the second stage. In the present disclosure the power distribution is 446%, A combination ofthe inereased nozzles and an offset in the nozzles of the stators allows for the increase of power extracted in the second stage, [0059] A larger output shat allows the transmission ofthe larger torque created by this increased extraction of power, More specifically, the present disclosure also allows for a larger diameter drive shaft 108 utilized withia a legacy pinion gear. By way of non-limiting example, a diameter of 22.225 nillimeters (inch) can be utilized, which is anUS 2019/0032563 Al increase over typical shaft diameters. Such a larger shaft allows for more distribution of torque. Non-limiting aspects ‘of the disclosure can be included wherein smaller shalt sdiamoters (e. smaller than 2 diameter of 22225 millime- ters, oF inch) can be utilized, Further sil i i contem- Plated that a legacy pinion gear can be retro-fited by ‘enlarging central opening in the pinion gear, which is ‘adapted to roceive a 19205 millimeter (% inch) shalt to define a larger size opening. Once enlarged shaft that is larger than 19,05 millimeters can then be inserted within or through the anger size opening. The central opening can be ‘enlarged ia any suitable manner including by dailing or ‘chemical etching. 10060] Further, breakage of typical shafts having a ¥%-inch diameter is typical as operators can attempt to stat the air starter multiple times, For example a certain circumstances the sir starter will not stat the engine and the operator will attempt to tat the ar start again while portions ofthe air Sartr are sill turing. The interaction with the stationary ring gear and the restated drive shaft having a typical diameter results in brokea shaft that renders the aie starter useless, The larger diameter contemplated herein will result ina sturdier product, [0061] Further still, aspects of the present disclosure include a method of forming an ai turbine starter including ‘enclosing a turbine member within a peripheral wall between an inlet and ast of outlets to define a Mid pathway ‘and forming a tortious path between the turbine member and an exterior of the peripheral wall by way of disposing a ‘containment screen between the twine member ad the set ‘of outlets. The tortious path i arranged such that a fragment is retarded from being ejected trough the set of outlets, This ‘can include stopping or slowing a spood of such a fragment Further sill, aspects disclose thatthe sereen located within the interior can be adapted to mitigate ejection of ignited Particles from within the howsing. The sereen and outlets ‘ducing use ean also forma tortious path fa spark o follow between the turbine member and an exterior ofthe periph- eral wal. [0062] To the extent not already described, the diffrent features aad structures of he various aspects ean be used in ‘combination with each other as desired. That one fearre ‘cannot be illustrated in all of the aspects is not meant to be ‘construed that it cannot be, but is done for brevity of description, Thus, the various features of the different ‘aspects can be mixed and matched as desired to form new ‘examples, whether or not the new examples are expressly described, Combinations of permutations of features described herein are covered by this disclosure, Many other possible aspects of the disclosure and configurations in ‘adtion to tat shown in the above figures are contemplated hy the present disclosure. Additionally, the design and placement ofthe various components such as starter, AGB, ‘or components thereof can be rearranged such tat a number ‘of different in-line configurations could be realizes [0063] This writen description uses examples to disclose aspects ofthe disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled inthe art to pracice aspects of the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated. methods. The patentable scope of the disclosure is defined by the elms, ‘and can include other examples that occur to those skilled ia the art. Such other examples ae intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have strutural elements that do Jan. 31, 2019 ‘not differ from the literal language ofthe claims, or if they include equivalent structural clements with insubstantial dilferences from the iteral languages of the claims. ‘What is claimed is 1. An sie turbine starter, comprising: a housing; at east one turbine member journaled within the howsing; 18 gearbox atleast parially defining an interior having an ‘open face and whore the interior at least partially houses gear train tht is devingly coupled with the at Teast one turbine member, ‘retainer having a body at least partially closing the open face; and ‘an output shaft operably coupled withthe gear train and ‘having an output end 2. The sir turbine starter of claim 1 wherein the retainer includes plate that spans atleast a portion of the open fie. 3. The air turbine starter of claim 2 wherein the plate is on-plana, 4, The air turbine starter of claim 2 wherein the plate includes peripheral portion mounted hetween the housing tnd the gear box. 8. The air turbine starter of claim 2 wherein the plate includes a central portion that extends ino the housing 6. The air turbine starter of claim § wherein the plate includes an aperture within the central portion. 7. The aie turbine starter of claim 6, further comprising a rive shaft operably coupled between the at east one turbine ‘member and the gear tain and passing through the aperture 8, The air urbine stater of claim 1 wherein the body furer includes a peripheral portion mounted to at least one of the housing othe gear box. 9. The air turbine starter of claim 1 wherein the body lrtr includes a peripheral portion mouated between the housing and the gear box. 10, The air turbine starter of claim 1, further comprising arease located within the interior. 11, The airturbine starter of claim 1 wherein the gear rain includes planetary gear train, 12, An air turbine starter, comprising: ‘housing having a peripheral wall defining an interior and an exterior at least one turbine member journaled within the interior, 8 gear box housing atleast partially defining a gear box interior having an open face and where the gear box interior at least partially houses a gear wain that is eivingly coupled with the at least one turbine member; fa dive shaft having a shaft frst end operably coupled ta ‘heat least one turbine member and driven thereby, and a shaft second end operably coupled to the gear train, the drive shaft adapted to provide otational input tothe gear trai and retainer, having a body, at east partially closing he open face and wherein the body includes aa aperture and the ive shaft extends though the aperture. 13. The air turbine starr of claim 12, further comprising grease disposed within the gear box interior, 14. The arturbine tater of claim 13, wherein the retainer {is adapted vo maintain the grease within the gearbox interior fora life of the gear box. 15, Their wrbine starter of claim 14 wherein the retainer sand the drive shaft are adapted such that a fuidtight seal is createdUS 2019/0032563 Al Jan. 31, 2019 16. A gear box, comprising: 1 gear box housing at leat partially defining an interior having an open face and where the interior atleast, parially houses 2 gear tran; and 1 retainer having a body ieluding portion that atleast partially closes the open face. 17. The gear box of claim 16 wherein the boy is pate 18. The gear box of claim 17 whereia the plate includes 1 stepped profile 19. The gear box of claim 17 where the plate includes 2 frusto-conical portion that extends away from the interior. 20, The gear box of claim 17 wherein the plate includes an aperture within a central portion