The electric starter-generator system TopStart is Dassault’s choice for its Falcon 5X business jet. The Falcon 5X engine Snecma Silvercrest has control laws that sync well with TopStart according to Guy Lefebvre, Thales president. The TopStart unit includes three electronic control units and rectifier units, one electronic starter converter, and three starter-generators for main engines and the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), which supplies electric power to both engine starters.
After the start-up sequence, the starters function as generators powering the aircraft electrical network. The system factors air temperature, blade tip clearances and exchanges data with the engine’s control unit to increase rotation speed and torque progressively.
The combined electric-starting power generator is more compact than conventional pneumatic starters, reduces weight, improves engine durability and increases energy efficiency from 70 to 90 percent, claimed Thales.
The system choice is Dassault’s first electric-power generator combined single unit installed in a business jet.