An engine control system and method

Abstract

The application belongs to the technical field of aero turboshaft engine control system, and proposes an engine control system and method, wherein the oil path switching electromagnetic valve of the engine control system is electrically connected with the electronic controller, and the output end of the oil path switching electromagnetic valve is electrically connected with the oil path switching module; the outlet of the fuel metering device and the outlet of the single-point flow fuel supply module are communicated with the inlet of the oil path switching module, and the fuel metering device and the single-point flow fuel supply module are switched through the oil path switching module; the single-point flow fuel supply module is added, so that when the control system loses the control function due to power failure, strong electromagnetic interference or other serious faults, the oil path switching module outputs the fixed flow of the single-point flow fuel supply module to ensure that the engine does not stop, and when the fault disappears, the normal control is automatically restored, the safety is improved, the single-point flow fuel supply module has simple structure and low cost, and is suitable for wide promotion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the technical field of aircraft turboshaft engine control system technology, and specifically relates to an engine control system and method. Background Technology

[0002] In-flight engine shutdown is a highly dangerous event that can lead to safety accidents. Therefore, the design of control systems must ensure that the probability of in-flight engine shutdown caused by the control system is extremely low.

[0003] As a complex electronic system, the digital electronic control system of an aero-turboshaft engine may experience severe system failures when subjected to complex environments or with design flaws, leading to control failure, engine shutdown in flight, and potentially catastrophic consequences for the helicopter. For safety reasons, existing technology has developed a digital electronic control system with mechanical-hydraulic backup control. This system consists of a mechanical-hydraulic control system and a digital electronic control system. Under normal control conditions, the digital electronic control system is responsible for all control functions. When the digital electronic control system fails, it automatically switches to the mechanical-hydraulic control mechanism to continue basic engine control.

[0004] The commonly used control system for turboshaft engines employs a system with mechanical-hydraulic backup functionality. This system's mechanical-hydraulic backup module can follow the digital control module and smoothly switch to mechanical-hydraulic backup control in the event of digital control failure. It can achieve mechanical-hydraulic backup control of the engine's fuel and guide vanes within its control envelope, ensuring safe operation of the turboshaft engine and safe return of the helicopter. However, the mechanical-hydraulic system comprises components such as a pump assembly, two dual electro-hydraulic servo valve assemblies for fuel, a dual electro-hydraulic servo valve switching assembly, a metering valve control assembly, a guide vane actuator control assembly, a fuel backup control assembly, a fuel backup following assembly, a guide vane backup control assembly, a guide vane backup following assembly, and a mechanical-hydraulic backup section of the FADEC (Features, Devices, and Engines) section. This structure is complex and costly to manufacture.

[0005] The digital electronic control system with mechanical hydraulic backup control is extremely complex, combining digital electronic control system and mechanical hydraulic control system. When there are many engine control variables (such as fuel control, bleed control, guide vane control, etc.), the implementation difficulty and cost of the digital electronic control system with mechanical hydraulic backup control are unacceptable.

[0006] Therefore, a simple yet precise control system is needed. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To address the aforementioned problems, this application proposes an engine control system, including an electronic controller and a fuel pump regulator connected by electrical signals;

[0008] The fuel pump regulator includes a fuel pump, a fuel metering device, a single-point flow fuel supply module, a fuel circuit switching module, and a fuel circuit switching solenoid valve. The fuel circuit switching solenoid valve is electrically connected to the electronic controller, and its control terminal is electrically connected to the fuel circuit switching module. The inlet of the fuel pump is connected to the fuel pipeline. The outlet of the fuel pump is connected to both the inlet of the fuel metering device and the inlet of the single-point flow fuel supply module. The outlet of the fuel metering device and the outlet of the single-point flow fuel supply module are both connected to the inlet of the fuel circuit switching module. The outlet of the fuel circuit switching module is connected to the engine. The single-point flow fuel supply module and the fuel metering device are connected in parallel.

[0009] Furthermore, the fuel metering device includes a fuel solenoid servo valve and a metering module connected together. The inlet of the fuel solenoid servo valve is connected to the outlet of the fuel pump, and the outlet of the metering module is connected to the inlet of the fuel circuit switching module.

[0010] Furthermore, the fuel supply flow rate of the single-point flow fuel supply module is the fuel flow rate required for the engine to reach its maximum output power within the full envelope when the engine control system fails, with the bleed valve and guide vane actuator in a safe position.

[0011] Furthermore, the oil circuit switching time between the metering module and the single-point flow oil supply module is t, where t≤1s.

[0012] Furthermore, the fuel pump regulator also includes a pressure module, which is disposed on the outlet pipe of the fuel pump.

[0013] Furthermore, the pressure module includes a constant pressure module and a differential pressure module.

[0014] Furthermore, the fuel pump includes a low-pressure pump and a high-pressure pump connected in series. The inlet of the low-pressure pump is connected to the fuel pipeline, and the outlet of the high-pressure pump is connected to the inlet of the pressure module.

[0015] Furthermore, the electronic controller includes channel A and channel B, both of which are electrically connected to the oil circuit switching solenoid valve.

[0016] Furthermore, the oil circuit switching solenoid valve is electrically redundant.

[0017] An engine control method, employing the aforementioned engine control system, includes,

[0018] Acquire the status of the electronic controller, the status of the fuel metering device, the engine power turbine speed signal, and the engine gas turbine speed signal;

[0019] If the channel status of the electronic controller, the status of the fuel metering device, the engine power turbine speed signal, and the engine gas turbine speed signal are all good, the fuel circuit switching solenoid valve controls the fuel circuit switching module to supply fuel to the engine through the fuel metering device.

[0020] If the electronic controller loses all power and / or the fuel metering device's metering block malfunctions and / or the engine power turbine speed signal is lost and / or the engine gas turbine speed signal is lost, the fuel circuit switching solenoid valve controls the fuel circuit switching module to supply fuel to the engine through the single-point flow fuel supply module.

[0021] Beneficial effects:

[0022] The engine control system of this invention includes an electronic controller and a fuel pump regulator connected by electrical signals. The fuel pump regulator includes a fuel pump, a fuel metering device, a single-point flow fuel supply module, a fuel circuit switching module, and a fuel circuit switching solenoid valve. The fuel circuit switching solenoid valve is electrically connected to the electronic controller, and its output is electrically connected to the fuel circuit switching module. The inlet of the fuel pump is connected to the fuel pipeline. The outlet of the fuel pump is connected to both the inlet of the fuel metering device and the inlet of the single-point flow fuel supply module. The outlets of the fuel metering device and the single-point flow fuel supply module are connected to the inlet of the fuel circuit switching module, and the outlet of the fuel circuit switching module is connected to the engine. The fuel pump and the fuel metering device are connected in parallel. By adding a single-point flow fuel supply module, this invention ensures that the engine does not stop when the control system loses control due to power failure, strong electromagnetic interference, or other serious faults. The fuel circuit switching module outputs a fixed flow rate from the single-point flow fuel supply module, and the engine automatically resumes normal control after the fault disappears. This improves safety. Furthermore, the single-point flow fuel supply module has a simple structure and low cost, making it suitable for widespread adoption.

[0023] Other features and advantages of this application will be set forth in the following description and will be apparent in part from the description or may be learned by practicing the application. The objectives and other advantages of this application may be realized and obtained by means of the structures pointed out in the description and the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0025] Figure 1 A flowchart illustrating the engine control system in an embodiment of this application is shown.

[0026] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating the engine control method in an embodiment of this application is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0028] Example 1

[0029] The turboshaft engine control system with single-point flow backup control function consists of a digital electronic controller and a fuel pump regulator. The fuel metering device of the fuel pump regulator consists of a fuel electromagnetic servo valve and a metering module. The single-point flow backup function is implemented by a single-point flow fuel supply module. The fuel metering device and the single-point flow fuel supply module are switched through a fuel circuit switching module, which then connects to the engine. The fuel circuit switching module is controlled by a fuel circuit switching solenoid valve. This invention, consisting of a digital electronic controller and a fuel pump regulator, differs from mechanical hydraulic backup systems in its overall architecture of a turboshaft engine control system with single-point flow backup control function. This technology is applied to the safety design of aero-engine turboshaft engine control systems. Based on a full-authority digital electronic control system, the engine control system of this invention, compared to existing engine control systems, has a backup control function. In the event of system failure, it can ensure that the engine does not stop and can return to base with a certain power output. Compared to control systems with mechanical hydraulic backup, the structure of this invention is extremely simple and has a low implementation cost.

[0030] Furthermore, the full authority digital electronic controller adopts a dual-channel structure. Channel A and Channel B have the same function and structure and serve as backups for each other. In addition to the normal control functions, each channel of the electronic controller provides an additional switch output signal to control the oil circuit switching solenoid valve. Each channel also provides a switch output signal to realize emergency control of the oil circuit switching solenoid valve.

[0031] Furthermore, a single-point flow fuel supply module is added to the fuel pump regulator to realize the single-point fuel flow backup function. This includes a fuel circuit switching solenoid valve, a fuel circuit switching module, and a single-point flow fuel supply module. The fuel circuit switching solenoid valve is electrically redundant and is controlled by the A and B channels of the electronic controller, respectively.

[0032] Furthermore, when any channel or both channels of the electronic controller simultaneously energize the fuel circuit switching solenoid valve, the fuel circuit output by the fuel pump regulator to the engine is the normal control fuel output by the metering module; when both channels of the electronic controller de-energize the fuel circuit switching solenoid valve, the fuel circuit output by the fuel pump regulator to the engine is the metered fuel output by the single-point flow fuel supply module. The metered fuel is the fuel flow rate required for the engine's maximum output power within the entire envelope when the bleed valve and guide vane actuator are in a safe position, taking into account the control system failure.

[0033] Furthermore, the switching time t between the metering module and the single-point flow fuel supply module should be set to ensure that the engine does not stall during the switching process. The switching is achieved by opening and closing the fuel circuit switching solenoid valve. When the solenoid valve is energized, the metering module supplies fuel, and when the power is off, the fuel circuit switches to the single-point flow fuel supply module. The switching time t is 0.1~1s.

[0034] Example 2

[0035] refer to Figure 1 An engine control system includes an electronic controller and a fuel pump regulator connected by electrical signals;

[0036] The fuel pump regulator includes a fuel pump, a fuel metering device, a single-point flow fuel supply module, a fuel circuit switching module, and a fuel circuit switching solenoid valve. The fuel circuit switching solenoid valve is electrically connected to the electronic controller, and its control terminal is electrically connected to the fuel circuit switching module. The fuel pump inlet is connected to the fuel pipeline; the fuel pump outlet is connected to both the inlet of the fuel metering device and the inlet of the single-point flow fuel supply module; the outlet of the fuel metering device and the outlet of the single-point flow fuel supply module are both connected to the inlet of the fuel circuit switching module; and the outlet of the fuel circuit switching module is connected to the engine. The single-point flow fuel supply module and the fuel metering device are connected in parallel. This invention, by adding a single-point flow fuel supply module, enables the control system to automatically switch the engine to a predetermined safe operating state without stopping when it loses control due to power failure, strong electromagnetic interference, or other serious faults. Normal control is automatically restored after the fault disappears.

[0037] This invention adds a single-point flow backup control device, enabling the full authority digital electronic control system to automatically switch the engine to a expected safe operating state without stopping when it loses control due to power failure, strong electromagnetic interference, or other serious faults. When the fault disappears, it automatically restores normal control.

[0038] Furthermore, the fuel metering device includes a connected fuel solenoid servo valve and a metering module. The inlet of the fuel solenoid servo valve is connected to the outlet of the fuel pump, and the outlet of the metering module is connected to the inlet of the fuel circuit switching module. Specifically, the amount of fuel entering and the quantity of fuel entering are controlled by the fuel solenoid servo valve and the metering module.

[0039] In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the fuel supply flow rate of the single-point flow fuel supply module is the fuel flow rate required for the engine's maximum output power within the entire fuel envelope, with the bleed valve and guide vane actuator in the safe position. The single-point flow fuel supply module achieves the provision of maximum fuel flow rate under safe conditions, thereby ensuring engine power.

[0040] Furthermore, a switching time t is set between the metering module and the single-point flow fuel supply module to ensure that the engine does not stall during the fuel circuit switching process. Switching is achieved by opening and closing a fuel circuit switching solenoid valve. When the solenoid valve is energized, fuel is supplied by the metering module; when de-energized, the fuel circuit switches to the single-point flow fuel supply module. The switching time t is 0.1~1s.

[0041] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the fuel pump regulator further includes a pressure module, which is disposed on the outlet pipe of the fuel pump. The pressure module acquires fuel pressure and thus obtains data; the pressure module includes a constant pressure module and a differential pressure module. Through the constant pressure module and the differential pressure module, the acquisition and stabilization of fuel pressure are achieved, improving the stability of fuel supply.

[0042] Furthermore, the fuel pump includes a low-pressure pump and a high-pressure pump connected in series. The inlet of the low-pressure pump is connected to the fuel pipeline, and the outlet of the high-pressure pump is connected to the inlet of the pressure module. By passing the fuel sequentially through the low-pressure pump and the high-pressure pump, the fuel pressure is sequentially increased, thereby ensuring the fuel pressure.

[0043] In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the electronic controller includes channel A and channel B, both of which are electrically connected to the oil circuit switching solenoid valve. By configuring the electronic controller to connect channels A and B to the oil circuit switching solenoid valve, communication stability is ensured.

[0044] Furthermore, the oil circuit switching solenoid valve is electrically redundant. That is, the solenoid valve is equipped with two completely independent and functionally identical control channels (systems) both electrically and physically, reducing the probability of accidents.

[0045] Example 3

[0046] refer to Figure 2 An engine control method, employing the engine control system of Embodiment 1 or 2, includes the following steps:

[0047] Acquire the status of the electronic controller, the status of the fuel metering device, the engine power turbine speed signal, and the engine gas turbine speed signal;

[0048] If the channel status of the electronic controller, the status of the fuel metering device, the engine power turbine speed signal, and the engine gas turbine speed signal are all good, the fuel circuit switching solenoid valve controls the fuel circuit switching module to supply fuel to the engine through the fuel metering device.

[0049] If the electronic controller loses all power and / or the fuel metering device's metering block malfunctions and / or the engine power turbine speed signal is lost and / or the engine gas turbine speed signal is lost, the fuel circuit switching solenoid valve controls the fuel circuit switching module to supply fuel to the engine through the single-point flow fuel supply module.

[0050] Based on the above methods, the control logic of the oil circuit switching solenoid valve is as follows:

[0051] a) Normal working status

[0052] Under normal operating conditions, both channels of the electronic controller energize the fuel circuit switching solenoid valve, and the output of the fuel circuit switching module is the fuel measured by the metering module.

[0053] b) Conditions for entering backup mode:

[0054] When the control system malfunctions with one or more of the following faults, disconnect the power supply to the oil circuit switching solenoid valve. When the fault disappears, restore the power supply to the oil circuit switching solenoid valve:

[0055] 1) Both channels A and B of the electronic controller lose all power;

[0056] 2) Both channels A and B of the electronic controller detected a fault in the metering module of the fuel pump regulator;

[0057] 3) Engine turbine speed signal completely lost;

[0058] 4) The engine gas turbine speed signal is completely lost.

[0059] c) Backup Status

[0060] When both channels A and B of the electronic controller suffer severe failure, the oil circuit switching module outputs a fixed flow rate oil supply from the single-point flow oil supply module.

[0061] Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. An engine control system, characterized in that, This includes an electronic controller and a fuel pump regulator with electrical signal connections; The fuel pump regulator includes a fuel pump, a fuel metering device, a single-point flow fuel supply module, a fuel circuit switching module, and a fuel circuit switching solenoid valve. The fuel circuit switching solenoid valve is electrically connected to the electronic controller, and its control terminal is electrically connected to the fuel circuit switching module. The inlet of the fuel pump is connected to the fuel pipeline. The outlet of the fuel pump is connected to both the inlet of the fuel metering device and the inlet of the single-point flow fuel supply module. The outlet of the fuel metering device and the outlet of the single-point flow fuel supply module are both connected to the inlet of the fuel circuit switching module. The outlet of the fuel circuit switching module is connected to the engine. The single-point flow fuel supply module and the fuel metering device are connected in parallel. The single-point flow fuel supply module provides a fixed flow rate. The fuel supply flow rate of the single-point flow fuel supply module is the fuel flow rate required for the engine's maximum output power within the full envelope when the engine control system fails, with the bleed valve and guide vane actuator in a safe position.

2. The engine control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fuel metering device includes a fuel solenoid servo valve and a metering module connected together. The inlet of the fuel solenoid servo valve is connected to the outlet of the fuel pump, and the outlet of the metering module is connected to the inlet of the fuel circuit switching module.

3. An engine control system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The oil circuit switching time between the metering module and the single-point flow oil supply module is t, where t≤1s.

4. An engine control system according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The fuel pump regulator also includes a pressure module, which is located on the fuel pump's outlet pipe.

5. An engine control system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The pressure module includes a constant pressure module and a differential pressure module.

6. An engine control system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The fuel pump includes a low-pressure pump and a high-pressure pump connected in series. The inlet of the low-pressure pump is connected to the fuel pipeline, and the outlet of the high-pressure pump is connected to the inlet of the pressure module.

7. An engine control system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The electronic controller includes channel A and channel B, both of which are electrically connected to the oil circuit switching solenoid valve.

8. An engine control system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The oil circuit switching solenoid valve is electrically redundant.

9. An engine control method, employing the engine control system according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, include, Acquire the status of the electronic controller, the status of the fuel metering device, the engine power turbine speed signal, and the engine gas turbine speed signal; If the channel status of the electronic controller, the status of the fuel metering device, the engine power turbine speed signal, and the engine gas turbine speed signal are all good, the fuel circuit switching solenoid valve controls the fuel circuit switching module to supply fuel to the engine through the fuel metering device. If the electronic controller loses all power and / or the fuel metering device's metering block malfunctions and / or the engine power turbine speed signal is lost and / or the engine gas turbine speed signal is lost, the fuel circuit switching solenoid valve controls the fuel circuit switching module to supply fuel to the engine through the single-point flow fuel supply module.

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