Aviation turbomachine adaptive machine learning control with health monitoring capability

Abstract

The invention relates to aviation turbomachine adaptive machine learning control with health monitoring capabilities. A monitoring and control system of a turbomachine includes a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of a turbomachine disposed on a vehicle; a vibration sensor configured to measure vibration of the turbine mechanism; and a controller including one or more processors. The controller is configured to receive and analyze temperature data generated by the temperature sensor and vibration data generated by the vibration sensor. The controller is further configured to determine a health of the turbomachine based on the analysis.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to monitoring and controlling the operation of turbomachinery on a vehicle (e.g., an aircraft). Background Art

[0002] Some vehicles include turbomachinery that includes a rotor (e.g., an impeller or a turbine) that performs work on a fluid or extracts energy from a fluid. Some turbomachinery includes compressors, fans, blowers, etc., that perform work on a gas passing through the turbomachinery to increase the gas pressure. For example, an aircraft may include one or more air compressors for providing cabin pressurization, conditioning air for passengers and crew, etc. In some turbomachinery, the rotation of the impeller is driven by an electric motor. Electrically driven compressors and other turbomachinery can be more efficient than traditional pneumatic turbines powered by engine bleed air. For example, these electric motors have adjustable speeds to operate the compressor or other turbomachinery at a desired pressure and rotor speed without significant energy waste.

[0003] However, turbomachinery components are prone to experiencing failures and degraded operation earlier than expected. For example, the thermal load on the motor windings can degrade the winding insulation, which can cause the motor to fail due to overheating. A degraded motor may experience an electrical short circuit between the motor phases. In another example, a failure can be caused by an eccentric rotation of the impeller. During startup and other transient operating states, the impeller speed is low and there may be no boundary layer to hold up the air bearing that suspends the impeller. In these states, the mechanical impedance can be relatively high, which can lead to component degradation (e.g., wear).

[0004] Due to complex machinery, it is difficult to predict the end of life and monitor the degradation of turbine mechanisms. Operating conditions can vary significantly depending on the operator, which poses challenges to traditional proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controllers in operating those turbine mechanisms on an appropriate performance map, as their constant gain is tuned for a specific design margin. Additionally, the rate of degradation of these units is variable. Once the PID controller reaches its limit, there is no more gain available. The controller may reach its bandwidth, resulting in a decline in performance over time. The performance decline can accelerate the degradation of the unit, as the unit is controlled based on a constant performance map established for a new unit without degraded components. Once the machine starts to degrade, it may be difficult for the PID controller to protect the turbine mechanism from surge events. Therefore, when it is necessary to extend the working life of the machinery, the operator may not be able to provide remedial maintenance. Some known systems may not adequately monitor the condition or health of the installed turbine mechanisms. Some known systems may be limited to tracking cycle data, such as counting contactor cycles and comparing the tracked cycle data with a specified limit (e.g., a cycle limit) associated with the expected end of life. A health determination based solely on cycle data (e.g., contactor cycles) may be inaccurate in predicting the end of life of turbine mechanism components, as such a health determination is generic and does not consider the specific characteristics and conditions of the actual components being monitored. Due to this poor, non-individualized monitoring, turbine mechanism failures are common in the art. Such failures can result in delays (e.g., travel delays), an increased number of unscheduled maintenance events, increased parts costs due to part replacement and collateral damage to nearby parts, etc. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] There is a need for systems and methods for adaptively controlling and monitoring turbine mechanisms operating in a vehicle and diagnosing the health of the turbine mechanisms. Based on the diagnosed health condition, the systems and methods can perform one or more appropriate actions to extend the life of the turbine mechanism, enhance the control and / or performance of the turbine mechanism, limit delays caused by replacing or repairing the turbine mechanism, etc.

[0006] Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a monitoring and control system including a temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of a turbine mechanism disposed on a vehicle; a vibration sensor configured to measure the vibration of the turbine mechanism; and a controller including one or more processors. The controller is configured to receive and analyze temperature data generated by the temperature sensor and vibration data generated by the vibration sensor. The controller is also configured with an adaptive control algorithm to determine the health condition of the turbine mechanism based on the analysis. For example, the controller can determine the health condition based on an analysis of data captured in the controller memory. Then, the controller can calculate a modified performance map and new gains based on the condition of the turbine mechanism.

[0007] Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for monitoring and controlling a turbine mechanism. The method includes: obtaining temperature data generated by a temperature sensor, the temperature data indicating a measured temperature of the turbine mechanism disposed on a vehicle; and obtaining vibration data generated by a vibration sensor, the vibration data indicating a measured vibration of the turbine mechanism. The method includes determining the health status of the turbine mechanism based on an analysis of the temperature data, the vibration data, the operating envelope of the aircraft, and / or the variable system load per flight (unique to each aircraft). The controller may use an adaptive control algorithm to determine the mean time between failures (MTBF) based on this information.

[0008] As the turbine mechanism components gradually age and begin to degrade, the PID controller gain reaches its limit and cannot drive the turbine mechanism along its original performance map. The turbine mechanism may undesirably experience more frequent deep surges, resulting in more harmful effects on the turbine mechanism. Recovery from those surges may be difficult, leading to the shutdown of the turbine mechanism. Some systems may rely on the compressor to provide air conditioning and cabin pressurization. A shutdown occurring on such a system may represent a serious hazard unless remedial measures are taken. The proposed adaptive control algorithm ensures that the turbine mechanism is driven with available operating margins based on the health of the turbine mechanism components and the recalculated performance map.

[0009] Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide an aircraft that includes a turbine mechanism mounted on the aircraft and a monitoring and control system disposed on the aircraft. The turbine mechanism includes a rotor configured to compress air and an electric motor configured to drive the rotor to rotate. The monitoring and control system includes: a temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of the turbine mechanism disposed on the vehicle; a vibration sensor configured to measure the vibration of the turbine mechanism; and a controller including one or more processors. The controller is configured to receive and analyze the temperature data generated by the temperature sensor and the vibration data generated by the vibration sensor. The controller is also configured to determine the health status of the turbine mechanism based on the analysis. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals always represent like parts, wherein:

[0011] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a turbine mechanism monitoring and control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the aircraft.

[0013] Figure 3 is a flowchart of a method for monitoring and controlling a turbine mechanism according to an embodiment.

[0014] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method for monitoring and determining the health status of a turbine mechanism according to an embodiment. Detailed implementation

[0015] When read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the foregoing overview and the following detailed description of some embodiments will be better understood. As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and preceded with the word "a" or "an" should not necessarily be construed as excluding a plurality of elements or steps. Additionally, a reference to "one embodiment" is not intended to be construed as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, an embodiment that "includes" or "has" an element or elements with a particular property may include additional elements that do not have that property.

[0016] Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a turbine mechanism monitoring and control system. The monitoring and control system may be implemented on a vehicle (such as an aircraft). The monitoring and control system uses parameters measured and / or derived from sensor data to determine the condition of a turbine or its components. The condition represents the health status of the turbine mechanism. The health status may indicate the degree of deterioration of the turbine mechanism. Optionally, the monitoring and control system may determine a predicted remaining life of the turbine mechanism or its components based on the condition. In an example, the turbine mechanism monitoring and control system may determine the condition of the turbine mechanism as a periodic health check. For example, the system may perform a health check prior to each scheduled trip of the vehicle on which the turbine mechanism is installed.

[0017] In an embodiment, the turbine mechanism monitoring and control system may control the vehicle and / or the turbine mechanism based on the determined condition. For example, the system may adjust operating settings (such as power settings, positions of diffuser vanes, valves, switching devices, etc.) based on the condition, change a performance curve to be executed, etc. Some control changes may be made to enhance and / or maintain a desired level of performance of the turbine mechanism. For example, when it is determined that the turbine mechanism is degrading, the power of the compressor motor may be increased and / or the diffuser vanes may be moved more substantially to compensate for the degradation condition and attempt to maintain the same or similar performance of the turbine mechanism as compared to when the turbine mechanism was new. Optionally, the system may implement control changes to attempt to reduce the wear or degradation rate of the turbine mechanism and extend the operating life of the deteriorating turbine mechanism. For example, in response to determining that the turbine is degrading, the system may constrain or limit the operation of the vehicle and / or the turbine during a trip. The system may also perform one or more remedial measures based on the condition. In an example, the system may schedule preventive maintenance of the turbine mechanism before the turbine mechanism experiences a catastrophic failure.

[0018] The turbine mechanism monitoring and control system described herein can have several beneficial technical effects. The system can provide accurate predictions of the health of the turbine mechanism regularly and / or on demand, without the need for active participation by the operator. The system can improve vehicle reliability and turbine mechanism control by reducing the risk of unexpected component failures and / or degraded performance. For example, the system can adjust the settings of the turbine mechanism to compensate for a reduction or weakening in the performance of the turbine mechanism. The system can notify the operator of recommended preventive maintenance before a component failure, which can extend the life of the turbine mechanism components and reduce collateral damage caused by catastrophic failures. Extending the operating life of the turbine mechanism components can reduce the costs attributable to component replacement due to the lower frequency of component replacements. The system can also enable prediction of supply chain requirements and the availability of spare parts when needed. Thus, once a component reaches the end of its operating life, replacement parts can be present at the maintenance facility to limit vehicle downtime and return the vehicle to service in a timely manner.

[0019] In one or more examples described herein, the vehicle including the turbine mechanism is an aircraft. The aircraft can be a commercial airliner. The monitoring and control system can also be implemented in other types of aircraft and even non-aircraft vehicles. Other types of aircraft can include electric aircraft, autonomous aircraft, etc. Other suitable types of vehicles for the monitoring and control system can include rail vehicles (e.g., locomotives), automobiles, trucks, buses, mining vehicles, agricultural vehicles, etc.

[0020] Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 is a block diagram of a turbine mechanism monitoring and control system 100. The monitoring and control system 100 can monitor a turbine mechanism 104 of a vehicle. The monitoring and control system 100 includes one or more sensors 101 and a controller 102 having one or more processors 103. The turbine mechanism 104 is a device that exchanges energy between a rotor 106 of the turbine mechanism 104 and a fluid. Examples of the turbine mechanism 104 can include a compressor, a blower, a pump, a fan, a turbine, etc. In an example, the turbine mechanism 104 includes a rotor 106 driven by an electric motor 108. The electric motor 108 can be an electric motor powered by an electric current. The electric motor 108 can drive the rotation of an impeller representative of the rotor 106 to compress air. In an exemplary application, the turbine mechanism 104 is a cabin air compressor (CAC) disposed on an aircraft. The CAC generates compressed air by receiving ram air via a cabin air inlet and providing power to the rotation of the impeller of the CAC via the electric motor 108 to compress the ram air to a specified pressure.

[0021] The turbine mechanism 104 may include multiple components, such as a rotor 106 (e.g., an impeller, a turbine, etc.), a housing that holds the rotor 106, bearings, an electric motor 108, one or more switching devices 110, diffuser vanes 112, valves, air ducts, and manifolds, etc. One or more switching devices 110 may control the power of the electric motor 108. For example, one or more switching devices 110 may be actuated to selectively open and close the conductive path from the power source to the electric motor 108. The power source may be an on-board electrical energy storage device (e.g., a battery), a circuit (e.g., a power bus), etc. One or more switching devices 110 may be contactors (e.g., relays) or other mechanical switches, solid-state relays, and / or semiconductor electronic switches. The diffuser vanes 112 control the direction of the airflow through the turbine mechanism 104. For example, the diffuser vanes 112 may control the angle of attack of the compressed air leaving the compressor. The diffuser vanes 112 are selectively positioned by the controller 102 to redirect the airflow. In an example, the controller 102 may actuate these diffuser vanes 112 to provide surge protection to reduce the risk that the rotor 106 experiences a dangerous surge condition. Figure 1 Only a subset of the components of the turbine mechanism 104 is shown.

[0022] The components of the turbine mechanism 104 may deteriorate and fail at an unexpected time before the end of the expected life of the respective components. These sensors 101 may monitor one or more parameters of the turbine mechanism 104. The sensors 101 may generate sensor signals that are received and analyzed by the controller 102. The sensor signals may be affected by the state or condition of the components of the turbine mechanism 104. For example, the electrical characteristics (e.g., voltage, current, phase, etc.) of the sensor signals may change based on the condition of the components monitored by the sensors (such as temperature, resistance, rotational speed, vibration, proximity, etc.).

[0023] The controller 102 may determine the condition of the turbine mechanism 104 based on the analysis of the monitored parameters. In an example, the controller 102 may characterize the condition as a binary choice between healthy (e.g., operating productively and undamaged) or unhealthy (e.g., deteriorated, degraded, faulty, and / or impaired operation). Alternatively, the controller 102 may characterize the condition as a value along a scale, such as an integer from 1 to 10. This condition may be used to schedule preventive maintenance to avoid unexpected failures and / or performance degradation of the turbine mechanism 104. For example, this condition may be used to predict the remaining life of the turbine mechanism 104 or its components. The predicted remaining life may refer to an amount of time, the number of remaining operating cycles or operating events, or a percentage value indicating the amount of remaining life relative to the full operating life (e.g., as specified by the manufacturer of the component).

[0024] Determining the condition of the turbine mechanism 104 allows the monitoring and control system 100 to recommend and / or schedule preventive maintenance before component failure, while facilitating maintenance work. Preventive maintenance work can improve reliability by avoiding or reducing delays and damage caused by failures of the turbine mechanism 104 (such as compressor failures). Additionally, the controller 102 can control and modify the operation of the turbine mechanism 104 during a vehicle journey based on the determined condition, or at least recommend control settings to the operator. For example, when it is determined that the turbine mechanism 104 has a deteriorating condition, the controller 102 can adjust one or more control settings of the turbine mechanism 104 relative to the control settings executed when the turbine mechanism 104 has a healthier condition. The control settings can be adjusted to compensate for a decrease in the performance of the turbine mechanism 104. Optionally, if the condition indicates a risk of failure, the controller 102 can avoid or limit the operation of the turbine mechanism 104 to reduce the load on the turbine mechanism 104 and lower the risk of failure until maintenance can be performed. In an example where the turbine mechanism 104 is a compressor that compresses air for cabin pressurization and / or air conditioning within the cabin, the controller 102 can deactivate the compressor, for example, by blocking the current flow to the electric motor 108. The controller 102 can control another compressor on the vehicle to compress more air to replace the deactivated compressor. Additional examples of control operations are provided herein.

[0025] The controller 102 can represent hardware circuitry that includes one or more processors 103 or is connected to one or more processors 103. The one or more processors 103 can be a microprocessor, an integrated circuit, a microcontroller, a field programmable gate array, and so on. The one or more processors 103 can be connected to a tangible and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (such as a data storage device, a computer memory, etc.), which is herein referred to as the memory 114. The memory 114 stores program instructions (such as software) executed by the one or more processors 103 to perform the various operations described herein. For example, the one or more processors 103 can execute the program instructions stored in the memory 114 to determine the condition of the turbine mechanism 104 or its components based on monitored parameters. The one or more processors 103 can also execute program instructions to perform one or more remedial or output tasks based on the determined condition. For example, the one or more processors 103 can generate a recommendation message and / or a control signal for controlling one or more systems on the vehicle based on the determined condition. The recommendation message and / or the control signal can be generated to adjust the operation of the turbine mechanism 104 as the turbine mechanism 104 ages, to enhance the performance of the turbine mechanism 104 and / or extend the life of the turbine mechanism 104.

[0026] The sensors 101 of the monitoring and control system 100 may include one or more current sensors, voltage sensors, temperature sensors, proximity sensors, vibration sensors, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensors 101 include one or more temperature sensors 116 and one or more vibration sensors 118. The one or more temperature sensors 116 may be thermocouples, thermistors, resistance temperature detectors (RTDs), and / or semiconductor-based integrated sensors that measure the temperature of the turbine mechanism 104. The one or more vibration sensors 118 may be accelerometers, laser displacement sensors, gyroscopes, and / or pressure sensors that measure the vibration of the turbine mechanism 104. The temperature sensors 116 and the vibration sensors 118 may generate sensor signals indicative of the respective measured parameters. The controller 102 may be communicatively connected to the sensors 101 via wired and / or wireless communication paths. For example, the controller 102 may receive the sensor signals generated by the one or more temperature sensors 116 via a wired (e.g., conductive) path. The controller 102 may analyze the sensor signals generated by the sensors 101 to monitor one or more parameters of the turbine mechanism 104.

[0027] The monitoring and control system 100 may optionally include a communication device 120 communicatively connected to the controller 102 via a wired or wireless communication path. The communication device 120 may enable the controller 102 to communicate with a vehicle control system and / or an on-board display device, an off-board control device, or a server, etc. The communication device 120 represents a hardware circuit capable of transmitting electrical signals via a wireless communication path and / or a wired conductive path. The communication device 120 may include transceiver circuitry (e.g., a transceiver or separate transmitter and receiver) for wireless communication, one or more antennas, etc. Alternatively, the communication device 120 may communicate with the vehicle control system and / or the display device via a communication cable. The communication cable may be an Ethernet cable, a coaxial cable, an optical fiber cable, etc.

[0028] The monitoring and control system 100 optionally includes one or more input devices and / or output devices, collectively referred to herein as I / O devices 122. Suitable I / O devices 122 may include display devices, physical buttons, touchscreens, microphones, audio speakers, etc. The display device may present graphical information such as a graphical user interface (GUI), images, videos, text-based messages (e.g., emails), etc.

[0029] The monitoring and control system 100 optionally includes a housing that generally contains the components of the monitoring and control system 100. For example, the controller 102, the communication device 120, and the I / O device 122 can be contained within a common housing. These sensors 101 can be tethered to the housing by cables, allowing the sensors 101 to be mounted on or near different components of the turbine mechanism 104. Alternatively, the sensors 101 can be detached from the housing and wirelessly connected to the controller 102 via the communication device 120.

[0030] The controller 102 determines the condition of the turbine mechanism 104 by collecting sensor data during some operating phases of the turbine mechanism 104. For example, the controller 102 can collect sensor data by receiving sensor signals generated by the sensors 101. The controller 102 can receive temperature data generated by one or more temperature sensors 116 and vibration data generated by one or more vibration sensors 118. The sensor data received and analyzed by the controller 102 can be generated during some operating phases such as startup, shutdown, and steady-state operation. In an aircraft application, steady-state operation can occur when the aircraft is in the operating cruise flight phase. The temperature and vibration parameters can provide an indication of the amount of energy received by the turbine mechanism 104, which is converted into thermal energy (e.g., heat) and vibrational kinetic energy rather than being used as mechanical energy to rotate the rotor 106. For example, as the turbine mechanism 104 ages, the vibration may increase in amplitude due to wear and fatigue of the components. These parameters can be used to provide a comprehensive sense of the turbine mechanism condition.

[0031] In an example, one temperature sensor 116 can be located at the motor 108 to measure the temperature of the motor 108. Additionally, one vibration sensor 118 can be located on or near the rotor 106 to measure the vibration of the rotor 106. For clarity, the rotor 106 refers to the impeller or turbine of the turbine mechanism 104 that interacts with the fluid flow. For example, the rotor 106 can be the impeller of a compressor driven by the motor 108 to compress air. The rotor 106 is not an internal component of the motor 108 (e.g., not the rotor located within the stator of an induction motor). The controller 102 can receive sensor signals to monitor the temperature of the motor 108 over time and the vibration of the rotor 106 over time. The controller 102 can use the vibration signature of the rotor 106 generated by the vibration sensor 118 to distinguish between a new, fully functional turbine mechanism 104 and a used, degraded turbine mechanism 104. The vibration signature can represent the sensor signals generated by the vibration sensor 118 over a fixed time period. The vibration signature can be affected by various components of the turbine mechanism 104, such as journal bearings, the motor 108, the rotor housing, etc. The controller 102 can be designed to detect and investigate the vibration signatures of the degradation of the internal components of the turbine mechanism 104.

[0032] A temperature sensor 116 that measures the temperature of the electric motor 108 may be mounted on the outer surface of the motor housing. The measured temperature may represent the external motor temperature. In an example, the controller 102 may determine the internal motor temperature of the electric motor 108 based on the value of the external motor temperature measurement received from the temperature sensor 116. For example, the memory 114 of the controller 102 may store the correlation (e.g., transfer function, look-up table, etc.) between the external motor temperature and the internal motor temperature. The controller 102 may input the value of the external motor temperature measured by the temperature sensor 116 into the correlation to determine the predicted or estimated internal motor temperature value of the electric motor 108. The internal motor temperature may be the temperature of a specified sub-component. The value of the internal motor temperature may be estimated using the correlation to avoid disturbing the integrity of the internal motor components. Optionally, the monitoring and control system 100 may include one or more other temperature sensors 116 mounted at different locations along the turbine mechanism 104. For example, a second temperature sensor 116 may be mounted at the outlet duct of the turbine mechanism 104 to measure the temperature of the air (e.g., compressed air) leaving the device. The location of the temperature sensor 116 may be selected based on the proximity and accessibility to the primary and / or secondary failure modes of the turbine mechanism 104.

[0033] In an embodiment, the controller 102 may analyze temperature data from one or more temperature sensors 116 while the turbine mechanism 104 is operating in a steady state to determine the condition of the turbine mechanism 104. In this way, the measured value of the external motor temperature and the estimated value of the internal motor temperature can correspond to the steady state thermal condition of the motor 108. Compared with the temperatures during startup, shutdown, and / or other transient phases, the motor temperature in the steady state thermal condition can provide more insight into the condition of the turbine mechanism 104. The controller 102 may ignore or not request temperature data during the transient phases of operation. In an embodiment, the controller 102 may analyze vibration data from one or more vibration sensors 118 while the turbine mechanism 104 is in a transient phase to determine the condition of the turbine mechanism 104. For example, the controller 102 may analyze vibration data generated during startup and / or shutdown of the turbine mechanism 104. If the internal components of the turbine mechanism 104 have suffered degradation, the vibration levels measured during startup and other transient operating states may reflect a relatively unique vibration signature that the controller 102 can use to determine the condition of the turbine mechanism 104. In an example, the controller 102 may ignore or not request vibration data during the steady state operation of the turbine mechanism 104. In this example, the controller 102 may determine the condition of the turbine mechanism 104 based on different parameters of the turbine mechanism 104 measured at different times and during different operating phases of the turbine mechanism 104. For example, the temperature data used by the controller 102 for analysis may be generated during the steady state, and the vibration data used by the controller 102 may be generated during at least one transient phase.

[0034] In an embodiment, the controller 102 determines a baseline value of a parameter based on measurement parameters of a particular turbine mechanism 104 generated over time. For example, the controller 102 may record the values of the temperature of the electric motor 108 over time in the memory 114. These historical temperature values may be generated by the same temperature sensor 116 on different days during weeks, months, or even years of operation of the turbine. Similarly, the controller 102 may record the values of the vibration of the rotor 106 over time (e.g., characteristics) in the memory 114. These historical vibration values may be generated by the same vibration sensor 118 on different days during weeks, months, or even years of operation of the turbine. The controller 102 may use these historical parameter values as the baseline value and compare new sensor data with this baseline value to determine the current condition of the turbine mechanism 104. The controller 102 may determine a trend line for the temperature data and / or the vibration data. The trend line may reflect the respective parameter values over time. A gradual shift of the monitored parameter over time may be reflected in the trend line. In this example, the determination of the condition of the turbine mechanism 104 may be based only on the recorded behavior of the particular turbine mechanism 104. The controller 102 may ignore data external to the particular turbine mechanism 104, such as data based on the behavior of other turbine mechanisms 104 installed in different vehicles. Optionally, in addition to the historical monitored parameters, the controller 102 may also consider the mean time between failures (MTBF) values of the components of the turbine mechanism 104 when determining the baseline value.

[0035] The controller 102 may compare the current parameter value of the turbine mechanism 104 based on the most recent sensor data from the sensor 101 with the baseline value to determine the condition of the turbine mechanism 104. For example, the controller 102 may compare the current parameter value of the turbine mechanism 104 with a specified threshold representing the baseline value. In another example, the controller 102 may compare the current parameter value with the corresponding trend line of the historical parameter values, where the trend line represents the baseline value. The controller 102 may determine the condition based on the offset between the current parameter value and the baseline value. In another example, the controller 102 may determine the condition based on a comparison between the trend line and a threshold or a specified range.

[0036] In a first example, the controller 102 can determine the condition of the turbine mechanism 104 by comparing the value of a measured parameter (e.g., temperature or vibration) with a specified threshold or a specified range. The specified threshold and / or the specified range can be stored in the memory 114. If the temperature of the motor 108 is below the specified threshold or within the specified range during steady-state operation, the controller 102 can determine that the turbine mechanism 104 has a healthy, fully functional, and non-degraded condition. Alternatively, if the measured temperature value is at or above the specified threshold or outside the specified range, the controller 102 can determine that the turbine mechanism 104 is degraded. If both the temperature value and the vibration value are within their respective specified ranges, the controller 102 can determine that the turbine mechanism 104 is healthy. If either the temperature value or the vibration value (but not both) is within the corresponding specified range and the other value is outside the corresponding specified range, the controller 102 can determine that the turbine mechanism 104 has a first degraded condition. The controller 102 can determine that the turbine mechanism 104 has a second degraded condition that is more severe than the first degraded condition in response to both the temperature value and the vibration value being outside their respective specified ranges.

[0037] In a second example, the controller 102 can determine the condition of the turbine mechanism 104 by comparing the current parameter value with historical parameter data previously collected based on the operation of the turbine mechanism 104. For example, the controller 102 can record the data collected during each monitoring session into a database. The database can be stored in the memory 114. The data can be aggregated over time to determine the trend of the parameter over time. The controller 102 can compare the value of the parameter collected during each new monitoring session with the historical trend data. The controller 102 can interpret a significant deviation (e.g., a step change) of the parameter value compared to the historical data as a signal of degradation of the turbine mechanism 104. Additionally, the controller 102 can calculate the slope of the trend line in the historical data. If the slope of the trend line is greater than (or less than) a threshold slope, the controller 102 can label the turbine mechanism 104 as degraded. Additionally, the controller 102 can use the trend line to predict the remaining life of the turbine mechanism 104 or its components. The controller 102 can use the most recent parameter value and the trend line to predict when the parameter value will reach a threshold associated with failure and / or end of life.

[0038] In a third example, the controller 102 can compare the measured value of a first parameter being monitored with an expected value of the first parameter to determine an offset. The expected value can be based on the historical performance of related components, manufacturer ratings, messages received from the vehicle control system, observed conditions, etc. The controller 102 can determine the condition of the turbine mechanism 104 based on the offset. For example, a larger offset can indicate a greater degree of degradation.

[0039] In a fourth example, the controller 102 may perform a vibration analysis on vibration data received from the vibration sensor 118. The vibration data corresponds to the rotor 106. The controller 102 may perform the vibration analysis by isolating a specified frequency of interest (FOI) at the rotational speed of the rotor 106. The FOI may refer to a specific frequency value or a narrow frequency range. The controller 102 may monitor the spectral amplitude. The spectral amplitude indicates the rotational energy of the rotor 106 at different frequencies. For example, the spectral amplitude may disclose how much energy exists in the rotor 106 at the FOI. For this analysis, the controller 102 may obtain the vibration data generated by the vibration sensor 118 at the rotor 106. The vibration data may be raw waveform data. The controller 102 may analyze the frequency components and / or vibration characteristics of the raw waveform data. The controller 102 may select the FOI to be monitored based on some operating conditions of the rotor 106, such as the power of the turbine mechanism 104 and / or the rotational speed of the rotor 106. For example, if the impeller rotates at a first speed, the controller 102 may select a first FOI to be monitored. If the impeller rotates at a second speed, the controller 102 may select a second FOI to be monitored.

[0040] The controller 102 may analyze the raw waveform data from the vibration sensor 118 to determine the energy at the selected FOI. The controller 102 may then compare the current energy level at the FOI with a baseline value to determine the condition of the turbine mechanism 104. For example, if the energy level at the FOI decreases relative to a previous measurement of the energy level at the FOI under similar operating conditions, the controller 102 may determine that the turbine mechanism 104 has a degraded condition. Since the turbine mechanism 104 degrades over time, the mechanical connection of the rotor 106 to the housing and / or the motor 108 may become loose (e.g., due to component wear and aging), so more energy may be dissipated as heat and vibration kinetic energy, and less energy may be used to rotate the rotor 106 at the FOI.

[0041] The controller 102 may determine the condition as one of a plurality of different values based on different metrics, scales, references, etc. For example, the controller 102 may determine the condition as a binary value, such as indicating an efficient operation (e.g., healthy) state or a degraded state. The controller 102 may also determine a third option of when the turbine mechanism 104 or its components fail and / or cease to function. In an example, if the monitored parameter value is at or above a specified baseline value or within a specified baseline range, the controller 102 may determine that the turbine mechanism 104 is operating efficiently. On the other hand, if the monitored parameter value is below the specified baseline value or outside the specified baseline range, the controller 102 may determine that the turbine mechanism 104 is degraded. In another example, the condition may be determined as a value along a scale, such as 1 to 10 or a percentage value.

[0042] In an example, the controller 102 may determine the predicted remaining life of the turbine mechanism 104 based on the determined conditions. For example, the predicted remaining life may be based on the degree of deviation between the value of the monitored parameter and the baseline value. The deviation levels may be graded using a plurality of specified thresholds stored in the memory 114. Depending on which range the measured deviation falls into, the controller 102 may determine the predicted remaining life of the turbine mechanism 104. For example, the controller 102 may provide the predicted remaining life in a 4-level ranking, indicating 100% or full remaining life, 75% remaining life, 50% remaining life, and 25% remaining life.

[0043] The controller 102 may determine days, months, years, number of operating cycles, etc. to represent the predicted remaining life of the turbine mechanism 104. For example, if the controller 102 determines that the condition of the turbine mechanism 104 or its components is at 50% health, meaning 50% of the working life remains, the controller 102 may multiply the current working life of the turbine mechanism 104 or its components by 2 to estimate the predicted remaining life. The expected working life may be provided by the manufacturer, such as the MTBF value. In another example, the controller 102 may determine the predicted remaining life of the turbine mechanism 104 based on a trend line or other trend data that is a function of the historical parameter values of the recorded turbine mechanism 104. For example, the controller 102 may use a trend line of the motor temperature over time to determine when the average motor temperature of the motor 108 in a steady state is predicted to reach a threshold related to a failure or increased risk of failure due to deterioration of the turbine mechanism 104 or its components. The controller 102 may determine the predicted remaining life as the amount of time or cycles from now until the monitored parameter value is predicted to reach the threshold based on the trend line.

[0044] The controller 102 may be implemented in a prognostic model to predict these failures before they occur in the turbine mechanism. The controller 102 may collect data from the sensors 101 for an extended period of time. The controller 102 may have a machine learning algorithm and may utilize machine learning to create a prognostic tool based on the collected data.

[0045] In an embodiment, after determining the condition of the turbine mechanism 104, the controller 102 may adjust the operating performance of the turbine mechanism 104 based on the condition. For example, as long as the condition indicates that the turbine mechanism 104 is operative and does not have a risk of an impending failure, the controller 102 may adjust one or more settings of the turbine mechanism 104 based on the condition while maintaining the operation of the turbine mechanism 104. For example, if the controller 102 determines that the turbine mechanism 104 has deteriorated further than a previous analysis of the turbine mechanism 104 but is still operative, the controller 102 may select one or more different control settings for operating the turbine mechanism 104 to adjust the performance of the turbine mechanism 104. In an example, the controller 102 may select different control settings to compensate for the additional degradation and maintain a similar performance level of the turbine mechanism 104. The controller 102 may select the adjusted control settings based on the newly determined value of the condition and / or the deviation between the performance level of the turbine mechanism 104 at the new time and the current degraded performance level of the turbine mechanism 104. In an example, the controller 102 may adjust the control settings by changing the position of the diffuser vanes 112, the power supplied to the turbine mechanism 104, the torque output of the electric motor 108, and / or the position of the valves controlling the flow of fluid through the turbine mechanism 104.

[0046] Some known systems control the turbine in the same manner (e.g., using the same control settings) throughout the operating life of the turbine mechanism, even as the turbine mechanism ages and components deteriorate. Thus, even as the turbine mechanism deteriorates over time, known systems continue to control the deteriorating turbine as if it were a new, undeteriorated turbine. These known systems will still command the deteriorating turbine to the same performance curve intended for a new turbine mechanism. However, the monitoring and control system 100 may adjust the operation of the turbine mechanism 104 over time to address the degradation.

[0047] In an example, the controller 102 can change the performance curve for operating the turbine mechanism 104 based on the determined condition of the turbine mechanism 104. The performance curve can include constant speed lines, pressure ratio, and mass flow rate, as well as the relationships between these parameters. For example, the performance curve can depict how the pressure ratio varies with respect to the mass flow rate along a first constant speed line and how the pressure ratio varies with respect to the mass flow rate along a different second constant speed line. The speed lines can refer to different speeds of the rotor 106 driven by the electric motor 108. In the example, in response to determining that the turbine mechanism 104 has a first condition, the controller 102 can select a first performance curve for operating the turbine mechanism 104. In response to subsequently determining that the turbine mechanism 104 has a second condition, the controller 102 can select a second performance curve for operating the turbine mechanism 104. The second condition of the turbine mechanism 104 can be more deteriorated than the first condition. For example, the controller 102 can use the first performance curve in response to determining that the turbine mechanism 104 has a 100% healthy state and can use the second performance curve in response to determining that the turbine mechanism 104 has a 50% healthy state. The second performance curve may require more power from the power source that powers the electric motor 108 as compared to the first performance curve. For example, due to degradation, the turbine mechanism 104 may require more input power to achieve performance similar to that of a new turbine mechanism 104. When the turbine mechanism 104 deteriorates, additional power may be required to achieve compressed air at a specified flow rate at a specified pressure. In another example, instead of switching the performance curve, the controller 102 can offset or adjust the performance curve in response to determining that the condition of the turbine mechanism 104 has changed. For example, the controller 102 can modify the performance curve by adjusting the relationship between the constant speed line, the mass flow rate, and the pressure ratio. Optionally, the performance curve can be dedicated to the turbine mechanism 104.

[0048] In another example, the controller 102 can generate a control signal to move the diffuser vanes 112 based on the determined condition of the turbine mechanism 104. These diffuser vanes 112 can control the angle at which air flowing through the turbine mechanism 104 leaves the compressor section of the turbine mechanism 104. These diffuser vanes 112 can be moved by an actuator that is controlled by a control signal received from the controller 102. As the turbine mechanism 104 ages, components (such as bushings) that affect the movement of these diffuser vanes 112 may wear and / or loosen, which can cause slack in the movement of these diffuser vanes 112. As a result, the diffuser vanes 112 may not achieve the same positioning over time, even when commanded by the controller 102 to move to the same position. This slack can be reflected in the vibration signature. In the example, the controller 102 can analyze the temperature data and vibration data generated by the sensors 116, 118, and can determine that the turbine mechanism 104 is at 75% health. When the turbine mechanism 104 is at 100% health, the controller 102 can control the actuator to open the diffuser vanes 112 to a first position. The first position can be 20% open. When the condition has degraded to 75% health, the controller 102 can control the actuator to open the diffuser vanes 112 to a second position to compensate for the slack in the diffuser vanes 112. In the example, the second position can be 25% open. Due to the degradation, the controller 102 can command these diffuser vanes 112 to be opened to a slightly greater extent in order to effectively achieve the same performance of the turbine mechanism 104. For example, the controller 102 can command these diffuser vanes 112 to open 25% in an attempt to compensate for the existing slack and actually cause these diffuser vanes 112 to achieve a 20% open position. Thus, the controller 102 can adjust the positioning of the diffuser vanes 112 when the condition of the turbine mechanism 104 degrades, in an attempt to maintain the same or similar performance level of the turbine mechanism 104. The controller 102 can command these diffuser vanes 112 to move to a greater extent than actually desired, knowing that the slack and other component wear will limit these diffuser vanes 112 from actually achieving the commanded position.

[0049] In another example, the controller 102 can modify the power supplied to the motor 108 based on the condition of the turbine mechanism 104. For example, the controller 102 can generate a control signal transmitted to the switching device 110, and the switching device 110 controls the power from the power source to the motor 108. As the turbine mechanism 104 deteriorates over time, the percentage of the received energy used to power the rotation of the rotor 106 may decrease. Component wear and fatigue can cause a greater percentage of the received energy to be wasted as heat, vibration, noise, etc. In an example, the controller 102 can increase the power supplied to the motor 108 in response to determining that the condition of the turbine mechanism 104 has deteriorated. In another example, the controller 102 can change the rotational speed of the rotor 106 based on the condition of the turbine mechanism 104. For example, the controller 102 can compensate for increased slack, eccentricity, etc. of the rotor 106 by controlling the motor 108 to increase the rotational speed of the rotor 106. The controller 102 can increase the commanded rotational speed in proportion to the amount of deterioration of the turbine mechanism 104 to effectively maintain the performance of the turbine mechanism 104 over time.

[0050] In these examples, the amount by which the controller 102 can command these diffuser vanes 112 to move, the amount of additional power supplied to the motor 108, the increased speed of the rotor 106, and / or the like can be determined by the controller 102 based on the relationship stored between the determined condition and the response control action. For example, the memory 114 can include a look-up table providing the relationship between the condition of the turbine mechanism 104 and the amount of electrical power supplied to the motor 108. Additionally, a second query table in the memory 114 can provide the relationship between the condition of the turbine mechanism 104 and the actuation position of the diffuser vanes 112, and a third query table can provide the relationship between the condition of the turbine mechanism 104 and the commanded rotational speed of the rotor 106. The controller 102 can input the determined condition of the turbine mechanism 104 into the corresponding look-up table to determine the appropriate control action.

[0051] The controller 102 can notify the operator of the vehicle of the determined condition of the turbine mechanism 104. For example, the controller 102 can generate a notification message that is communicated to the operator before the start of the vehicle's journey. In an aircraft application, the notification message can be communicated to the pilot before the start of the flight. The notification message includes the condition of the turbine mechanism 104. The notification message optionally includes additional information, such as a predicted remaining life of the turbine mechanism 104, or its components. The notification message can be communicated to the vehicle control system and / or directly to a display device to present the information contained in the notification message on the display device. Optionally, the notification message can be communicated to the operator's personal computing device (e.g., a smart phone, a tablet computer, a smart watch, etc.).

[0052] In an example, the controller 102 may take one or more remedial actions on the vehicle based on the determined condition of the turbine mechanism 104. For example, in response to determining that the turbine mechanism 104 has a deteriorated condition, the controller 102 may control the vehicle and / or other systems on the vehicle (other than the turbine mechanism 104) to attempt to reduce the deterioration rate of the turbine mechanism 104 and extend the operating life of the turbine mechanism 104, limit collateral damage, and avoid canceling the planned trip of the vehicle. The remedial actions may be stored as program instructions in the memory 114. The controller 102 may determine the remedial action to be taken based on the specific component determined to be deteriorated, the determined degree of deterioration, and the remedial options on the vehicle. The monitoring and control system 100 may have several different failure modes. Some failure modes may be deviable, meaning that the vehicle and / or the turbine mechanism 104 may still operate after the failure mode is determined, but in a restricted operation. Other failure modes may be absolute, forcing the controller 102 to immediately stop the operation of the turbine mechanism 104 and / or the vehicle operation until maintenance is performed.

[0053] For example, in response to the controller 102 determining that the turbine mechanism 104 has a deteriorated condition, the controller 102 may execute a restricted mode. In the restricted mode, the controller 102 may operate the motor 108 and / or the rotor 106 at a reduced speed to reduce the load on the turbine mechanism 104. In another example where the turbine mechanism 104 is a compressor, the controller 102 may recommend operating the vehicle in a restricted mode that consumes less compressed air than when the turbine mechanism 104 is not deteriorated. In another example, the controller 102 may obtain different compressed air sources on the vehicle to provide compressed air to partially or fully offset the compressed air generated by the deteriorated turbine mechanism 104. Additionally, the controller 102 may automatically notify the operator in response to detecting that the turbine mechanism 104 has deteriorated or has failed. In another example, the controller 102 may automatically schedule maintenance for the turbine in response to detecting that the turbine mechanism 104 has deteriorated or has failed.

[0054] Figure 2Is a perspective view of the aircraft 200. In an embodiment, the aircraft 200 represents a vehicle equipped with a turbine mechanism 104. For example, the monitoring and control system 100 can be implemented on the aircraft 200 to determine the condition of the turbine mechanism 104. The aircraft 200 includes a fuselage 206 that extends from a nose section 212 to a tail fin 214 or tail. The aircraft 200 includes a pair of wings 202, 204 that extend from the fuselage 206. The wings 202, 204 can include movable wing surfaces such as ailerons, flaps, and / or spoilers. One or more propulsion systems 208, 210 propel the aircraft 200. The propulsion systems 208, 210 are supported by the wings 202, 204 of the aircraft 200 in the illustrated embodiment, but can be mounted to the fuselage 206 or the tail fin 214 in other types of aircraft. The tail fin 214 can include horizontal stabilizers 216, 218 and a vertical stabilizer 220. The fuselage 206 defines a plurality of sections or compartments along the length of the fuselage 206 from the nose section 212 to the tail fin 214. The fuselage 206 is oriented about a longitudinal axis 222. In an embodiment, the turbine mechanism 104 can be a CAC, which is part of an environmental control system for adjusting the temperature, humidity, and pressure of the air supplied to the compartments of the fuselage 206.

[0055] Figure 3 Is a flowchart 300 of a method for monitoring and controlling a turbine mechanism according to an embodiment. The turbine mechanism to be monitored and controlled can be the turbine mechanism 104 described herein. The method can be performed in whole or in part by the controller 102 of the monitoring and control system 100. The method optionally can include additional steps, fewer steps, and / or steps different from the steps shown in the flowchart 300, and / or one or more of the steps can be performed in a different order than shown and described herein.

[0056] In step 302, temperature data generated by the temperature sensor 116 is obtained. The temperature data represents the measured temperature of the turbine mechanism 104 disposed on the vehicle. The temperature data can indicate the temperature of the motor 108 that drives the rotor 106 (e.g., an impeller) to rotate. The temperature data can be current (e.g., generated within a specified time period from the current time) and can be generated when the turbine mechanism 104 is in a steady-state operating condition. For example, obtaining the temperature data can refer to obtaining only the temperature data generated by the temperature sensor 116 when the turbine mechanism 104 is in a steady-state operating phase.

[0057] In step 304, vibration data generated by the vibration sensor 118 is obtained. The vibration data indicates the vibration of the measured turbine mechanism 104. The vibration data may indicate the vibration level of the rotor 106. The vibration data may be current and may be generated when the turbine mechanism 104 is in transient operating conditions (e.g., during startup and / or shutdown of the turbine mechanism 104). For example, obtaining the vibration data may refer to obtaining only the vibration data generated by the vibration sensor 118 when the turbine mechanism 104 is in the transient operating phase.

[0058] In step 306, the health condition of the turbine mechanism 104 is determined based on the analysis of the temperature data and the vibration data.

[0059] In step 308, one or more operating settings of the turbine mechanism 104 are adjusted based on the health condition indicating degradation of the turbine mechanism 104. The one or more operating settings are adjusted to maintain the desired performance level of the turbine mechanism 104.

[0060] Optionally, in response to determining the health condition of the turbine mechanism 104, the method may include at least one of the following: (i) modifying a performance curve for controlling the operation of the turbine mechanism 104 based on the health condition, where the performance curve includes a constant speed line, a mass flow rate, and a pressure ratio; ii) modifying the commanded position of the diffuser vanes 112 of the turbine mechanism 104 based on the health condition; or (iii) increasing the power supplied to the electric motor 108 of the turbine mechanism 104 based on the health condition.

[0061] Optionally, the vibration data generated by the vibration sensor 118 includes raw waveform data. The method may include determining a current energy level at a frequency of interest based on the analysis of the raw waveform data and comparing the current energy level at the frequency of interest with a baseline energy value to determine the health condition of the turbine mechanism 104.

[0062] Figure 4 FIG. 400 is a flowchart of a method for monitoring and determining the health condition of a turbine mechanism according to an embodiment. The turbine mechanism to be monitored and controlled may be the turbine mechanism 104 described herein. The method may be performed in whole or in part by the controller 102 of the monitoring and control system 100. Optionally, the method may include additional steps, fewer steps, and / or steps different from those shown in flowchart 400, and / or one or more of the steps may be performed in a different order than shown and described herein.

[0063] In step 402, temperature data indicating the measured temperature of the turbine mechanism is obtained. In step 404, vibration data indicating the measured vibration of the turbine mechanism is obtained.

[0064] In step 406, the temperature data and vibration data are input into an adaptive algorithm 408. The following sub-steps may be performed by the controller 102 by implementing the adaptive algorithm 408. Alternatively, the following sub-steps may be performed by a different controller (e.g., one or more processors) communicatively connected to the controller 102 and implementing the adaptive algorithm 408. The first sub-step of the adaptive algorithm 408 may be to establish a baseline (e.g., values, ranges, thresholds, etc.) for the newly installed turbine unit. The baseline may be established during the pre-flight operating phase. The second sub-step may involve receiving updated temperature and vibration data and comparing it over time with the baseline. Based on the comparison of the updated temperature and vibration data with the baseline, the adaptive algorithm 408 may calculate an updated performance map specific to a particular turbine unit and based on the condition of the turbine mechanism. The next sub-step may include adjusting the gain of the driven components of the turbine mechanism to match the updated performance map. Thereafter, the adaptive algorithm 408 may update and monitor the surge margin limit.

[0065] After executing the adaptive algorithm 408, the controller 102 may determine the health condition of the turbine in step 410 based on the analysis of the adaptive algorithm 408.

[0066] In addition, the present disclosure includes examples according to the following:

[0067] Item 1. A monitoring and control system, comprising:

[0068] A temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of a turbine mechanism disposed on a vehicle;

[0069] A vibration sensor configured to measure the vibration of the turbine mechanism; and

[0070] A controller including one or more processors, wherein the controller is configured to receive and analyze temperature data generated by the temperature sensor and vibration data generated by the vibration sensor, and wherein the controller is further configured to determine the health condition of the turbine mechanism based on the analysis.

[0071] Item 2. The monitoring and control system according to item 1, wherein the controller is further configured to determine a predicted remaining life of the turbine mechanism based on the determined health condition.

[0072] Item 3. The monitoring and control system according to item 1 or 2, wherein the turbine includes a rotor driven by an electric motor, and wherein the temperature sensor is configured to measure the temperature of the electric motor.

[0073] Item 4. The monitoring and control system according to item 3, wherein the vibration sensor is configured to measure the vibration of the rotor.

[0074] Item 5. The monitoring and control system according to item 4, wherein the controller is configured to analyze temperature data generated by the temperature sensor when the turbomechanism is in a steady-state operation phase, and wherein the controller is configured to analyze vibration data generated by the vibration sensor when the turbomechanism is in a transient operation phase.

[0075] Item 6. The monitoring and control system according to any one of items 1-5, wherein the controller is further configured to adjust one or more operating settings of the turbomechanism based on a health condition indicating deterioration of the turbomechanism, and wherein the controller is further configured to adjust the one or more operating settings to maintain a desired performance level of the turbomechanism.

[0076] Item 7. The monitoring and control system according to item 6, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the one or more operating settings to an extent proportional to the level of deterioration of the turbomechanism.

[0077] Item 8. The monitoring and control system according to any one of items 1-7, wherein the controller is further configured to modify a performance curve for controlling the operation of the turbomechanism based on the determined health condition, and wherein the performance curve includes a constant speed line, a mass flow rate, and a pressure ratio.

[0078] Item 9. The monitoring and control system according to any one of items 1-8, wherein the controller is further configured to modify a commanded position of a diffuser vane of the turbomechanism based on the determined health condition.

[0079] Item 10. The monitoring and control system according to any one of items 1-9, wherein the turbomechanism includes a rotor driven by an electric motor, and wherein the controller is further configured to increase the power supplied to the electric motor based on a health condition indicating deterioration of the turbomechanism.

[0080] Item 11. The monitoring and control system according to any one of items 1-10, wherein in response to a health condition indicating deterioration of the turbomechanism, the controller is further configured to limit the operation of at least one of the turbomechanism or the vehicle during a stroke.

[0081] Item 12. The monitoring and control system according to any one of items 1-11, wherein the controller is configured to determine the health condition of the turbomechanism by one or both of the following: (i) comparing a temperature value of the temperature data with a specified temperature range and comparing a vibration value of the vibration data with a specified vibration range, or (ii) comparing the temperature value with historical temperature data of the turbomechanism generated by the temperature sensor and comparing the vibration value with historical vibration data of the turbomechanism generated by the vibration sensor.

[0082] Item 13. The monitoring and control system according to any one of Items 1-12, wherein the vibration data generated by the vibration sensor includes raw waveform data, wherein the controller is further configured to analyze the raw waveform data and determine the current energy level at a frequency of interest, and wherein the controller is further configured to compare the current energy level at the frequency of interest with a baseline energy value to determine the health of the turbine mechanism.

[0083] Item 14. The monitoring and control system according to any one of Items 1-13, wherein the turbine mechanism is a compressor configured to compress air for at least one of pressurization or air conditioning in a cabin of the vehicle.

[0084] Item 15. A method, comprising:

[0085] Obtaining temperature data generated by a temperature sensor, the temperature data indicating a measured temperature of a turbine mechanism disposed on a vehicle;

[0086] Obtaining vibration data generated by a vibration sensor, the vibration data indicating the measured vibration of the turbine mechanism; and

[0087] Determining the health of the turbine mechanism based on an analysis of the temperature data and the vibration data.

[0088] Item 16. The method according to Item 15, wherein obtaining the temperature data includes obtaining only the temperature data generated by the temperature sensor when the turbine mechanism is in a steady-state operating phase, and wherein obtaining the vibration data includes obtaining only the vibration data generated by the vibration sensor when the turbine mechanism is in a transient operating phase.

[0089] Item 17. The method according to Item 15 or 16, further comprising adjusting one or more operating settings of the turbine mechanism based on a health condition indicating degradation of the turbine mechanism, wherein the one or more operating settings are adjusted to maintain a desired performance level of the turbine mechanism.

[0090] Item 18. The method according to any one of Items 15-17, wherein the vibration data generated by the vibration sensor includes raw waveform data, and the method further comprises:

[0091] Determining a current energy level at a frequency of interest based on an analysis of the raw waveform data; and

[0092] Comparing the current energy level at the frequency of interest with a baseline energy value to determine the health of the turbine mechanism.

[0093] Item 19. The method according to any one of Items 15 - 18, wherein, in response to determining the health condition of the turbine mechanism, the method further comprises one or more of the following:

[0094] Modifying a performance curve for controlling the operation of the turbine mechanism based on the health condition, wherein the performance curve includes a constant speed line, mass flow rate, and pressure ratio;

[0095] Modifying a commanded position of a diffuser vane of the turbine mechanism based on the health condition; or

[0096] Increasing the power supplied to an electric motor of the turbine mechanism based on the health condition.

[0097] Item 20. An aircraft, comprising:

[0098] A turbine mechanism mounted on the aircraft, wherein the turbine mechanism includes a rotor configured to compress air and an electric motor configured to drive the rotor to rotate; and

[0099] A monitoring and control system disposed on the aircraft, wherein the monitoring and control system includes:

[0100] A temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of the turbine mechanism disposed on the vehicle;

[0101] A vibration sensor configured to measure the vibration of the turbine mechanism; and

[0102] A controller including one or more processors, wherein the controller is configured to receive and analyze temperature data generated by the temperature sensor and vibration data generated by the vibration sensor, and wherein the controller is further configured to determine the health condition of the turbine mechanism based on the analysis.

[0103] Although various spatial and orientation terms such as top, bottom, lower, middle, lateral, horizontal, vertical, front, etc. may be used to describe embodiments of the present disclosure, it should be understood that these terms are used only with respect to the orientation shown in the drawings. The orientation may be reversed, rotated, or otherwise changed such that the upper part is the lower part, and vice versa, the horizontal becomes vertical, etc.

[0104] The controller 102 of the monitoring and control system 100 described herein includes one or more processors 103. In examples where the controller 102 has multiple processors 103, these processors 103 may be located in the same housing or enclosure (e.g., in the same device) or may be distributed between or among two or more housings or enclosures (e.g., in different devices). Multiple processors 103 in the same or different devices may share the performance of the functions described herein. For example, different processors 103 may execute different sets or groups of the functions described herein.

[0105] As used herein, a structure, limitation, or element “configured to” perform a task or operation is specifically formed, constructed, or adapted structurally in a manner corresponding to the task or operation. For clarity and to avoid doubt, an object that can only be modified to perform a task or operation is not “configured to” perform the task or operation as used herein.

[0106] It should be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. For example, the above embodiments (and / or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Additionally, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the various embodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. While the dimensions and types of the materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the various embodiments of the present disclosure, these embodiments are in no way restrictive but rather are exemplary embodiments. After reading the above description, many other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the scope of the various embodiments of the present disclosure should be determined with reference to the appended claims and the full scope of equivalents to which those claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “comprising” and “wherein” are used as the plain English equivalents of the respective terms “including” and “wherein.” Additionally, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means - plus - function format and are not intended to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” after a statement of the function to avoid an otherwise structural recitation.

[0107] This written description uses examples to disclose the various embodiments of the present disclosure, including the best mode, and also enables any person skilled in the art to practice the various embodiments of the present disclosure, including making and using any device or system and performing any incorporated method. The patentable scope of the various embodiments of the present disclosure is defined by the claims and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to fall within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that are not different from the literal language of the claims or if they include equivalent structural elements that are not substantially different from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

1. A monitoring and control system (100), comprising: A temperature sensor (116) configured to measure a temperature of a turbine mechanism (104) disposed on a vehicle; a vibration sensor (118) configured to measure vibration of the turbine mechanism; and A controller (102) comprising one or more processors (103), wherein the controller is configured to receive and analyze temperature data generated by the temperature sensor and vibration data generated by the vibration sensor, and wherein the controller is further configured to determine a health status of the turbine mechanism based on the analysis.

2. The monitoring and control system (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The controller (102) is further configured to determine a predicted remaining life of the turbine mechanism (104) based on the determined health condition.

3. The monitoring and control system (100) of claim 1, wherein: The turbine mechanism (104) comprises a rotor (106) driven by an electric motor (108), and wherein the temperature sensor (116) is configured to measure a temperature of the electric motor and / or the vibration sensor (118) is configured to measure a vibration of the rotor (106).

4. The monitoring and control system (100) according to claim 3, wherein: The controller (102) is configured to analyze the temperature data generated by the temperature sensor (116) when the turbine mechanism (104) is in a steady-state operating phase, and wherein the controller is configured to analyze the vibration data generated by the vibration sensor (118) when the turbine mechanism is in a transient operating phase.

5. The monitoring and control system (100) of claim 1, wherein: The controller (102) is further configured to adjust one or more operating settings of the turbine mechanism (104) based on the health condition indicative of degradation of the turbine mechanism, and wherein the controller is further configured to adjust the one or more operating settings to maintain a desired performance level of the turbine mechanism.

6. The monitoring and control system (100) according to claim 5, wherein: The controller (102) is configured to adjust the one or more operating settings to a degree proportional to a level of degradation of the turbine mechanism (104).

7. The monitoring and control system (100) of claim 1, wherein: The controller (102) is further configured to modify a performance curve for controlling operation of the turbine mechanism (104) based on the determined health condition and to modify a commanded position of a diffuser vane (112) of the turbine mechanism (104) based on the determined health condition, and wherein the performance curve includes a constant speed line, a mass flow rate, and a pressure ratio.

8. The monitoring and control system (100) of claim 1, wherein: The turbine mechanism (104) includes a rotor (106) driven by an electric motor (108), and wherein the controller (102) is further configured to increase power supplied to the electric motor based on the health condition indicating degradation of the turbine mechanism.

9. The monitoring and control system (100) of claim 1, wherein: In response to the health condition indicating that the turbine mechanism (104) is degraded, the controller (102) is further configured to limit operation of at least one of the turbine mechanism and the vehicle during a trip.

10. The monitoring and control system (100) of claim 1, wherein: The controller (102) is configured to determine the health status of the turbine mechanism (104) by one or both of the following: (i) comparing the temperature value of the temperature data with a specified temperature range and comparing the vibration value of the vibration data with a specified vibration range; or (ii) comparing the temperature value with historical temperature data of the turbine mechanism generated by the temperature sensor (116) and comparing the vibration value with historical vibration data of the turbine mechanism (104) generated by the vibration sensor (118).

11. The monitoring and control system (100) of claim 1, wherein: The vibration data generated by the vibration sensor (118) includes raw waveform data, wherein the controller (102) is further configured to analyze the raw waveform data and determine a current energy level at a frequency of interest, and wherein the controller is further configured to compare the current energy level at the frequency of interest to a baseline energy value to determine the health of the turbine mechanism (104).

12. The monitoring and control system (100) of claim 1, wherein: The turbine mechanism (104) is a compressor configured to compress air for at least one of pressurization and air conditioning within a cabin of the vehicle.

13. A monitoring and control method, comprising: obtaining temperature data generated by a temperature sensor (116), the temperature data indicating a measured temperature of a turbine mechanism (104) disposed on a vehicle; obtaining vibration data generated by a vibration sensor (118), the vibration data indicative of measured vibrations of the turbine mechanism; and A health status of the turbine mechanism is determined based on an analysis of the temperature data and the vibration data.

14. An aircraft, comprising: a turbine mechanism (104) mounted on the aircraft, wherein the turbine mechanism comprises a rotor configured to compress air and an electric motor configured to drive the rotor to rotate; and A monitoring and control system is arranged on the aircraft, wherein the monitoring and control system comprises: a temperature sensor (116) configured to measure a temperature of the turbine mechanism; a vibration sensor configured to measure vibration of the turbine mechanism; and A controller includes one or more processors, wherein the controller is configured to receive and analyze temperature data generated by the temperature sensor and vibration data generated by the vibration sensor, and wherein the controller is further configured to determine a health status of the turbine mechanism based on the analysis.

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