Method and system for controlling a turbine engine

Abstract

A method and system for controlling a turbine engine are provided. An optimization goal is selected for the engine. A power factor is determined based on the optimization goal. A command to set a power level is issued based on the power factor. Virtual data generated in real time by a dynamic model of the engine is processed. The virtual data is indicative of the response of the engine according to the power level. A life factor is determined for at least one component of the engine based on the power level. A remaining useful life of the component is determined in real time based on the determined life factor and the processed virtual data. The method enables engine operation to be controlled in real time to meet the selected optimization goal, taking into account varying load conditions of the engine and desired life targets for the component.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The disclosed embodiments relate generally to the field of turbomachines, such as may include turbine engines, and more particularly to methods and systems for controlling turbine engines. [Background technology]

[0002] Turbomachinery performance may generally degrade over time. Control systems provide functionality that allows for control and analysis of turbine engines. For example, control systems may include sensors, controllers, computer devices, etc. that combine, acquire, process, and store data to control the turbine engine. The following are examples of patent documents that disclose known control systems related to turbine engines: WO2013 / 014202A1 "Gas turbine life prediction and optimization apparatus and method", WO2014 / 143187A1 "Turbine engine lifting and performance optimization limit management", US10,452,041B2 "Gas turbine dispatch optimizer real-time command and operation".

[0003] In one aspect, a computer-implemented method for controlling operation of a turbine engine is provided. The method, for example, allows for selection of an optimization goal from a menu of predetermined optimization goals for the turbine engine via a user interface. A power factor (power factor, power coefficient, power rate) is determined for the turbine engine based on the selected optimization goal for the turbine engine. A power command is issued to the turbine engine, the power command setting a power level for operating the turbine engine, the power level being based on the determined power factor. Virtual data generated in real time by a dynamic model of the turbine engine is processed. The virtual data is indicative of a response of the turbine engine according to a power level setting of the turbine engine. A life factor (life coefficient) according to the power level setting of the turbine engine is determined for at least one component of the turbine engine. Based on the determined life factor and the processed virtual data, a remaining useful life for the at least one component of the turbine engine is determined in real time in response to a power level setting for the turbine engine. The method further allows for controlling the operation of the turbine engine in real time, for example, by a computer processor. The control is configured to meet selected optimization goals taking into account various load conditions of the turbine engine and further taking into account a desired life target for at least one component of the turbine engine.

[0004] In another aspect, a system includes a turbine engine. The user interface is configured to select an optimization goal from a menu of predetermined optimization goals for the turbine engine. The system further includes a dynamic model of the turbine engine and a control system including a computer processor. The control system is operably coupled to the user interface and the dynamic model of the turbine engine. The computer processor is configured to: determine a power factor of the turbine engine based on an optimization goal selected for the turbine engine; issue power commands to the turbine engine, the output commands setting a power level for operating the turbine engine based on the determined power factor; process virtual data generated by a dynamic model of the turbine engine, the virtual data indicative of a response of the turbine engine to the power level setting of the turbine engine; determine a life factor of at least one component of the turbine engine relative to the power level setting of the turbine engine; determine in real time a remaining useful life of the at least one component of the turbine engine responsive to the power level setting of the turbine engine based on the determined life factor and the processed virtual data; control operation of the turbine engine in real time; and configure the control to meet the selected optimization goal, taking into account changing load conditions of the turbine engine and a desired life target of the at least one component of the turbine engine.

[0005] In yet another aspect, a computer-implemented method for controlling a turbine engine is provided, the method including a non-transitory computer-readable medium programmed with computer-readable code, the computer processor, when executing the computer-readable code, comprising: determining a power factor for the turbine engine based on an optimization goal selected for the turbine engine; issuing power commands to the turbine engine for operating the turbine engine, the power commands setting a power level for operating the turbine engine based on the determined power factor; processing hypothetical data generated in real time by a dynamic model of the turbine engine; determining in real time a remaining useful life of at least one component of the turbine engine based on the power level setting for the turbine engine, based on the determined life factor and the processed hypothetical data; and controlling in real time by the computer processor operating the turbine engine, the controller configured to meet the selected optimization goal taking into account changing load conditions of the turbine engine and further taking into account a desired life goal for the at least one component of the turbine engine.

[0006] The foregoing has outlined broadly some of the technical features of the present disclosure so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description that follows. Additional features and advantages of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter, which form the subject of the claims. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that they may readily use the conception and specific embodiments disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure in its broadest form.

[0007] Also, prior to implementing the Detailed Description below, various definitions of certain terms are provided throughout this patent document, and those skilled in the art will understand that such definitions apply prior to many (if not most) instances and future uses of such defined terms. While some terms can encompass a wide variety of embodiments, the appended claims may expressly limit these terms to particular embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a turbomachine, such as a turbine engine, that can benefit from disclosed embodiments of methods and systems for controlling a turbine engine. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps associated with one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed method. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control concept that may be featured in the disclosed embodiments. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary block diagram representation illustrating example structural and / or operational relationships that may be involved in disclosed embodiments. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example plot of life optimization versus engine power level over a range of turbine temperature limits, ΔT. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an example plot of the life optimization versus engine power level shown in Figure 5, further illustrating the optimization space as a function of atmospheric conditions such as ambient temperature. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows relative turbine engine power output as a function of ambient temperature for various example load rate percentages.

[0009] [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention] Turbine engine components may deteriorate over their operating life as a function of many factors. The present inventors recognize that turbine engines today are typically required to operate under widely varying load conditions, and therefore, traditional methods for performing engine component life analysis (e.g., utilizing predefined mission cycle profiles) are becoming unrepresentative.

[0010] Health and life models that indicate damage accumulation have been used to predict the cumulative damage and operational life of such components. Traditionally, health model outputs have been used reactively (after an event has occurred) to attempt to characterize the cumulative damage associated with turbine engine components so that maintenance, repair, and / or overhaul can be appropriately scheduled. That is, traditionally, the real-time output of such health or life models has not been utilized to control the turbine engine in real time. The inventors have discovered that utilizing virtual data generated in real time enables real-time control of the turbine engine, for example, to appropriately maximize component service life and minimize component damage, even under widely varying turbine engine load conditions.

[0011] In view of at least the foregoing considerations, the inventors disclose embodiments of systems and methods for controlling turbine engines that, for example, consider actual ambient and actual operating conditions (which can vary significantly from application to application, and even customer to customer for the same application, e.g., power generation, mechanical drive, etc.). Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments can, for example, more accurately and consistently estimate the expended life of turbine engine components subjected to thermo-mechanical loads. Furthermore, the disclosed embodiments can perform real-time life estimation and subsequent prediction of the remaining useful life of turbine engine components, which aids in implementing real-time optimization methods that can provide users with more confident decisions regarding utilization of turbomachinery assets.

[0012] Before the disclosed embodiments are described in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are not limited in their application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in this specification or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosed embodiments can be practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0013] Various technologies related to the disclosed embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings, where like reference numerals represent like elements throughout. The drawings discussed below and the various embodiments used to explain the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged apparatus. It should be understood that functions described as being performed by a particular system element may be performed by multiple elements. Similarly, for example, an element may be configured to perform functions described as being performed by multiple elements. Many innovative teachings of the present application are described with reference to exemplary, non-limiting embodiments.

[0014] It should be understood that words or phrases used herein should be interpreted broadly unless expressly limited in some instances. For example, the terms "including," "having," and "comprising," as well as their derivatives, refer to an open-ended inclusion. The singular forms "a," "an," and "The" are intended to include the plural unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Furthermore, as used herein, the term "and / or" refers to and includes any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The term "or" is inclusive, meaning, and / or, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms "associated" and "associated with," as well as derivatives thereof, can mean including interconnection, including interconnection, being contained within, being contained within, being connected, being able to communicate with, cooperating with, interconnecting, adjacent, being adjacent to, being bound, or having similar properties. Furthermore, although multiple embodiments or configurations may be described herein, any feature, method, step, component, etc. described with respect to one embodiment is equally applicable to other embodiments unless specifically stated to the contrary.

[0015] Additionally, terms such as "first," "second," and "third" may be used herein to refer to various elements, information, functions, or operations, but these elements, information, functions, or operations should not be limited by these terms. Rather, these numerical adjectives are used to distinguish different elements, information, functions, or operations from one another. For example, a first element, information, function, or operation could be referred to as a second element, information, function, or operation, and similarly, a second element, information, function, or operation could be referred to as the first element, information, function, or operation without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0016] Additionally, the term "adjacent to" can mean that an element is relatively close to, but not touching, another element, or that an element is touching another part, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Furthermore, the phrase "based on" shall mean "based at least in part on," unless otherwise specified. The terms "about" or "substantially" or similar terms are intended to cover variations in values ​​that are within normal industrial manufacturing tolerances for that dimension. Where an industry standard is not available, a 20% variation falls within the meaning of these terms unless otherwise specified.

[0017] While the present disclosure includes descriptions in the context of a fully functional system and / or sequence of operations, those skilled in the art will appreciate that at least a portion of the mechanisms of the present disclosure and / or the operations described may be capable of being distributed in the form of computer / processor-executable instructions (e.g., software / firmware applications) contained within a storage device corresponding to a non-transitory machine-usable, computer-usable, or computer-readable medium in any of a variety of forms (e.g., flash memory, SSD, hard drive). Computer / processor-executable instructions may include routines, subroutines, programs, applications, modules, libraries, etc. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that computer / processor-executable instructions may correspond to and / or be generated from source code, bytecode, runtime code, machine code, assembly, Java, JavaScript, Python, Rust, Swift, Go, C, C#, C++, or any other form of code that can be programmed / configured to cause at least one processor to perform the operations and features described herein. Additionally, the results of the described / claimed processes or functions may be stored on a computer-readable medium, displayed on a display device, and / or the like.

[0018] It should be appreciated that operations associated with the above-described methodologies, features, and functions (other than any described manual operations) may be performed by one or more data processing systems via the operation of one or more of the processors. Thus, when referring to a data processing system or control system, it should be understood that such a system may be implemented across several data processing systems organized in a distributed system that communicate with each other directly or via a network.

[0019] As used herein, a processor or processor module corresponds to any electronic device configured via hardware circuitry, software, and / or firmware to process data. For example, a processor described herein may correspond to one or more (or a combination) of a microprocessor, a CPU, or any other integrated circuit (IC), or other type of circuitry capable of processing data in a data processing system. As discussed above, a processor described or claimed as configured to perform a particular described / claimed process or function may correspond to a CPU that executes computer / processor-executable instructions stored in memory in the form of software to perform such described / claimed process or function. However, it should also be understood that such a processor may correspond to an IC that is hardwired with processing circuitry (e.g., an FPGA or ASIC IC) to perform such described / claimed process or function. It should also be understood that reference to a processor may include multiple physical processors or cores configured to perform the functions described herein. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that a data processing system and / or processor may correspond to a controller configured operatively to control at least one operation, including a programmable logic controller (PLC).

[0020] Additionally, it should be understood that a described or claimed processor or processor module configured to perform a particular described / claimed process or function may correspond to a processor combination with executable instructions (e.g., software / firmware applications) currently running and / or loaded / installed into the described memory (volatile and / or non-volatile) available for execution by the processor to cause the processor to perform the described / claimed process or function. Thus, a processor that is powered off or running other software, but has the described software loaded / stored on storage (such as flash memory, SSD, or hard drive) operatively connected thereto in a manner executable by the processor (when initiated by a user, hardware, and / or other software), may also correspond to a described / claimed processor operatively configured to perform particular processes and functions described / claimed herein.

[0021] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the hardware and software illustrated in connection with the disclosed embodiments may vary for a particular implementation. The depicted examples are provided for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to imply architectural limitations with respect to the present disclosure. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that, for simplicity and clarity, the complete structure and operation of every data processing system suitable for use with the present disclosure has not been depicted or described herein. Instead, only that much of the data processing system that is unique to or necessary for an understanding of the present disclosure is depicted and described. The remaining configuration and operation of the data processing system may conform to any of a variety of current implementations and practices known in the art.

[0022] 1 illustrates one non-limiting example of a turbomachine, such as a turbine engine 100, that can benefit from the disclosed embodiments for controlling the turbine engine. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are not limited to any particular type of turbomachine. The turbine engine 100 comprises, in flow series, an inlet 12, a compressor 101, a combustor 102, and a turbine 103, which are generally arranged in flow series and generally along a longitudinal axis or axis of rotation 20. The turbine engine 100 is rotatable about the axis of rotation 20 and further comprises a shaft 22 extending longitudinally through the turbine engine 100. The shaft 22 drivingly connects the turbine 103 to the compressor 101.

[0023] The terms upstream and downstream refer to the direction of airflow and / or working gas flow through the engine unless otherwise specified. The terms forward and aft refer to the general flow of gases through the engine. The terms axial, radial, and circumferential are made with reference to the axis of rotation 20 of the engine.

[0024] In operation of the turbine engine 100, the flow of air 24 taken in through the air inlet 12 is compressed by the compressor 101 and delivered to a combustor 102 including a burner section 16. The burner section 16 includes a burner plenum 26, one or more combustion chambers 28, which may be defined by a double-walled can 27, and at least one burner 30 secured to each combustion chamber 28. The combustion chambers 28 and burners 30 are disposed inside the burner plenum 26. Compressed air passing through the compressor 12 enters a diffuser 32 and is discharged from the diffuser 32 into the burner plenum 26, from which a portion of the air enters the burner 30 and is mixed with a gaseous or liquid fuel. The air / fuel mixture is then combusted, and combustion gases 34, or working gas from the combustion, are channeled to the turbine 103 via a transition duct 35.

[0025] The turbine 103 comprises a plurality of blade-carrying disks 36 mounted on the shaft 22. In this embodiment, two disks 36 each carry an annular array of turbine blades 38. However, the number of blade-carrying disks may be different, for example, only one disk or two or more disks. Also, guide vanes 40 fixed to a stator 42 of the turbine engine 100 are disposed between the turbine blades 38. An inlet guide vane 44 is provided between the outlet of the combustion chamber 28 and the leading turbine blade 38.

[0026] Combustion gases from the combustion chamber 28 enter the turbine 103 and drive the turbine blades 38, which in turn rotate the shaft 22. Guide vanes 40, 44 function to optimize the angle of the combustion or working gases relative to the turbine blades 38. The compressor 101 includes an axial series of guide vane stages 46 and rotor blade stages 48.

[0027] 1 further includes a controller or control system 110 operatively coupled to turbine engine 100. Control system 110 comprises one or more processors or processing units 102, memory 104, and a computer-readable medium, such as a non-transitory machine-usable medium. Control system 110 comprises a computer system that executes programs and operations to control the operation of turbine engine 100 using sensor inputs, scheduling algorithms, control models, and / or commands from a human operator. The programs and functions executed by control system 110 may include, among other things, operating parameters, operating boundaries, application of operating boundary models, application of scheduling algorithms, and application of boundary control logic.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a flowchart 200 illustrating example steps (e.g., including structural and / or operational relationships) associated with one example embodiment of the disclosed computer-implemented method for controlling the operation of a turbine engine. Following a start step 202, step 204 enables selecting an optimization goal from a menu of predefined optimization goals for the turbine engine, e.g., via a user interface. Step 206 enables determining a power factor for the turbine engine based on the selected optimization goal for the turbine engine. Step 208 enables issuing a power command to the turbine engine, the power command setting a power level for operating the turbine engine, the power level being based on the determined power factor. Step 210 enables processing virtual data generated in real time by a dynamic model of the turbine engine. The virtual data is indicative of a response of the turbine engine according to a power level setting of the turbine engine. This response may include a transient response of the turbine engine. Step 212 enables determining a life factor for at least one component of the turbine engine conditioned on a power level setting of the turbine engine. Based on the determined life factor and the processed hypothetical data, step 214 enables determining in real time the remaining useful life of at least one component of the turbine engine, subject to a power level setting of the turbine engine. Before returning to step 218, step 216 enables real-time control of the operation of the turbine engine, for example by a computer processor, configured to meet selected optimization goals, taking into account varying load conditions of the turbine engine and further taking into account a desired life target of the at least one component of the turbine engine.

[0029] In one non-limiting embodiment, the preset optimization goals include maximizing the power generated by the turbine engine, maximizing the remaining useful life of at least one component of the turbine engine, and a mixed optimization of the power generated by the turbine engine and the remaining useful life of at least one component of the turbine engine.

[0030] In one non-limiting embodiment, the method includes processing data indicative of ambient atmospheric conditions, such as ambient temperature, altitude, and relative humidity, and determining a power factor of the turbine engine is further based on the data indicative of the ambient atmospheric conditions.

[0031] In one non-limiting embodiment, controlling the operation of the turbine engine in real time by the computer processor includes determining a temperature limit offset to a temperature limit setpoint, the temperature limit offset being determined based on ambient atmospheric conditions and a selected optimization goal.

[0032] In one non-limiting embodiment, controlling the operation of the turbine engine in real time by the computer processor includes repeatedly issuing a series of power commands to the turbine engine, the series of power commands may be configured to set respective power levels adjusted to meet selected optimization goals, taking into account changing load conditions of the turbine engine and further taking into account a desired life target for at least one component of the turbine engine.

[0033] 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary control concept featured in the disclosed embodiments. As described above, the disclosed embodiments are useful for optimizing component life versus turbine engine power (output), such as when turbine engine operation may be limited by operating temperatures, such as high ambient temperatures. For example, when the turbine engine operates at high ambient temperatures, the turbine engine output may be limited by a turbine limit temperature (TLT) setpoint (block 302). For example, to generate power above a predetermined control limit, the turbine engine may be overfired by an amount (ΔTLT) relative to the TLT setpoint. That is, ΔTLT generally represents a relative difference relative to the TLT setpoint.

[0034] In the disclosed embodiments, as described above, an operator of a given turbine engine may selectively operate the turbine engine by selecting one of a respective set of predefined optimization objectives, such as maximizing the power output generated by the turbine engine, maximizing the remaining useful life of at least one component of the turbine engine, and a blended optimization of the power output generated by the turbine engine and the remaining useful life of at least one component of the turbine engine.

[0035] For each optimization objective, the ΔTLT has a unique functional relationship. Because a typical engine rating curve (power output characteristic) of a turbine engine is usually inversely proportional to ambient temperature (e.g., power output decreases with increasing ambient temperature), the optimization space can consider ambient atmospheric conditions, such as ambient temperature, in addition to defining an appropriate ΔTLT functional relationship for each optimization objective. As an example, the optimization space can be represented in a two-dimensional matrix format. In the block diagram shown in FIG. 3, the TLT offset (block 304) represents an adjustment to the TLT setpoint, characterized as a function of ambient atmospheric conditions and each optimization objective selected by an operator. To implement the optimization process, the estimated TLT offset is introduced into a temperature-limited control loop 306 (e.g., by a proportional-integral (PI) control module 305) to generate an appropriate fuel flow demand (FFDEM) for the turbine engine (TE). That is, the optimization process can be configured to determine an appropriate TLT offset based on ambient atmospheric conditions in addition to the selected optimization objective (e.g., power boost versus life extension).

[0036] FIG. 4 is a block diagram representation of example structural and / or operational relationships involved in the disclosed embodiments. Block 400 in FIG. 4 represents a control system subcomponent configured to implement the method described above in the context of FIG. 2 . That is, block 400 represents a component that is part of a larger component of a turbine engine's control system. Hereinafter, this block will be referred to simply as control system 400, with the understanding that it merely represents a fragment of the turbine engine's control system. In an example embodiment, control system 400 includes a power factor processor module 410 configured to determine, via a user interface 412, a power factor of the turbine engine based on an optimization goal, such as may be selected by an operator of the turbine engine. The determined power factor is provided to a power command processor module 414 configured to issue power commands that set a power level for operating the turbine engine, the power level being based on the power factor determined by power factor processor module 410. A life factor processor module 416 is configured to determine a life factor (K) of at least one component of the turbine engine, conditioned on a power level setting for the turbine engine.

[0037] The determined power factor and data indicative of the ambient atmospheric conditions (block 415) are further provided to an optimization processor module 418 configured to estimate the TLT offset described above in the context of FIG. 3, i.e., in the context of the temperature limited control loop 306.

[0038] Continuing with the description of control system 400, in one exemplary embodiment, control system 400 includes a real-time dynamic model 420 of a turbine engine. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a dynamic model may provide a simplified representation of a real-world entity (e.g., a turbine engine) through functional relationships utilizing computer code, for example, and may serve to evaluate the time-varying behavior of the turbine engine. As will be further appreciated by those skilled in the art, real-time or real-time describes various operations in computations or other processes that ensure a response within a certain time, such as a time scale on the order of milliseconds, to adequately analyze and react to the time-varying behavior of the turbine engine.

[0039] In one exemplary embodiment, real-time dynamic model 420 may be configured to generate virtual data indicative of a response of the turbine engine to a power level setting. The virtual data generated by real-time dynamic model 420 may be processed in a life counter, as may be configured in processor module 422, to determine an effective base hour (EBH) count of at least one component of the turbine engine. The EBH count calculated by life counter 422 is processed by a remaining equivalent base hour (REBH) counter, as may be configured in processor module 424. The REBH count represents the difference between the design base hour (DBH) count and the EBH count retrieved from storage module 426. Processor module 428 calculates a remaining useful life (RUL) of at least one component of the turbine engine by calculating a life factor (K) and the REBH count.

[0040] FIG. 5 shows exemplary plots of life optimization 502 over a range of turbine temperature limits ΔT and power level optimization 504 over a range of turbine temperature limits ΔT, respectively. The plots allow for visualization of an exemplary interplay between life optimization and power level optimization over a range of turbine temperature limits ΔT. For example, over the range ΔT, there exists a value ΔT_Min (minimum) at which the operating life of a given component can be maximized, as indicated by the point labeled Life Max. Conversely, over the range ΔT, there exists a value ΔT_Max (maximum) at which the power level produced by the turbine engine is maximized, as indicated by the point labeled power_Max. In this example, the intersection of the two plots 502 and 504 at ΔT_Optimum (optimum) represents a point that exhibits a mixed optimization of both the component's life and the power level produced by the turbine engine. That is, it is a singular point at which both the component's life and power level are mutually optimized.

[0041] Figure 6 builds on the concepts shown in Figure 5 and provides an optimization space that illustrates the effect of ambient atmospheric conditions (e.g., ambient temperature) on the interplay of life optimization and power level optimization over a range of turbine temperature limits, ΔT. In Figure 6, it can be seen that the optimization space can be represented by a 2D matrix to account for the ambient atmospheric conditions, e.g., ambient temperature. This can account for the fact that turbine engines typically experience a decrease in power with increasing ambient temperature, or conversely, a decrease in power with decreasing ambient temperature, as shown in Figure 7, which shows relative turbine engine power as a function of ambient temperature for various example load rate percentages.

[0042] During operation, the disclosed embodiments are effective in performing real-time gas turbine optimization, which provides users with more confident decision-making regarding the appropriate utilization of their engines considering competing objectives such as engine power output versus component life.

[0043] In operation, the disclosed embodiments are effective for performing life count calculations that can be easily applied to a wide range of thermo-mechanical failure modes and various hot gas path components.

[0044] In operation, the disclosed embodiments are useful for real-time performance in systems because they account for transient conditions as well as off-base load conditions (e.g., partial load under steady-state conditions). In this manner, the disclosed embodiments can provide more accurate life consumption calculations than were possible with certain known implementations.

[0045] In operation, the disclosed embodiments, by way of example, provide superior predictive capabilities based on degradation modeling (e.g., linear models may be augmented with non-linear regression modeling approaches for various degradation modes), allowing users to configure and perform their engines in a more optimal manner, avoiding overly conservative (and costly) operating / maintenance techniques.

[0046] In operation, the disclosed embodiments enable real-time, personalized optimization of asset groups through the integration of the optimization logic of the present invention in existing control loops.

[0047] In operation, the disclosed embodiments enable estimation of life consumption during transient operation (e.g., ranging from slow to fast transients) and enable judicious use of virtual data, such as may be generated by a real-time engine model or digital twin of the engine.

[0048] Having described at least one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, substitutions, variations, and improvements thereon may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure in its broadest form.

[0049] Nothing in this application should be read as implying that any particular element, step, act, or function is an essential element required for inclusion in a claim. The scope of patented subject matter is defined solely by the claims as granted. Moreover, none of these claims are intended to invoke means-and-function claim construction except where the precise term "means" is followed by particular terms.

Claims

1. 1. A computer-implemented method for controlling operation of a turbine engine, comprising: The method comprises: selecting, via a user interface, an optimization goal from a menu of predefined optimization goals for the turbine engine; determining a power factor for the turbine engine based on the optimization goal selected for the turbine engine; issuing a power command to the turbine engine, the power command setting a power level for operating the turbine engine, the power level being based on the determined power factor; processing virtual data generated in real time by a dynamic model of the turbine engine, the virtual data indicative of a response of the turbine engine in accordance with the power level setting for the turbine engine; determining a life factor for at least one component of the turbine engine according to the power level setting for the turbine engine; determining in real time a remaining useful life for the at least one component of the turbine engine according to the power level setting for the turbine engine based on the determined life factor and the processed hypothetical data; controlling, by a computer processor, operation of the turbine engine in real time, the control configured to meet the selected optimization goal, taking into account varying load conditions of the turbine engine and further taking into account a desired life span goal for at least one component of the turbine engine. and a computer-implemented method comprising:

2. The predefined optimization objective is selected from the group consisting of: maximizing the power produced by the turbine engine, maximizing the remaining useful life for the at least one component of the turbine engine, and a mixed optimization of the power produced by the turbine engine and the remaining useful life for the at least one component of the turbine engine.

2. The method of claim 1 .

3. and processing data indicative of ambient atmospheric conditions, wherein the step of determining the power factor for the turbine engine is further based on the data indicative of the ambient atmospheric conditions.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The data indicative of the ambient atmospheric conditions is selected from the group consisting of ambient temperature, altitude, and relative humidity.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 3.

5. The step of controlling the operation of the turbine engine in real time with the computer processor includes determining a temperature limit offset relative to a temperature limit setpoint, the temperature limit offset being based on the ambient atmospheric conditions and the selected optimization goal.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 3.

6. The hypothetical data indicative of the response of the turbine engine includes a transient response of the turbine engine.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 3.

7. Controlling the operation of the turbine engine in real time with the computer processor includes repeatedly issuing a series of power commands to the turbine engine, the series of power commands setting respective power levels adjusted to meet the selected optimization goal, taking into account the varying load conditions of the turbine engine and further taking into account the desired life goal for the at least one component of the turbine engine.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 3.

8. 1. A system comprising: A turbine engine, a user interface configured to select an optimization goal from a menu of predefined optimization goals for the turbine engine; and a dynamic model of the turbine engine; a control system including a computer processor operably coupled to the user interface and the dynamic model of the turbine engine; and The computer processor determining a power factor for the turbine engine based on a selected optimization goal for the turbine engine; issuing a power command to the turbine engine, the power command setting a power level for operating the turbine engine based on the determined power factor; processing hypothetical data generated by the dynamic model of the turbine engine, the hypothetical data indicative of a response of the turbine engine in accordance with the power level setting for the turbine engine; determining a life factor for at least one component of the turbine engine according to the power level setting of the turbine engine; determining a remaining useful life for the at least one component of the turbine engine in real time according to a power level setting of the turbine engine based on the determined life factor and the processed hypothetical data; Controlling operation of the turbine engine in real time, the control being configured to meet the selected optimization goal, taking into account varying load conditions of the turbine engine and a desired life goal for at least one component of the turbine engine. It is configured as follows: system.

9. The optimization objective is selected from the group consisting of: maximizing the power generated by the turbine engine, maximizing the remaining useful life for the at least one component of the turbine engine, and a mixed optimization of the power generated by the turbine engine and the remaining useful life for the at least one component of the turbine engine.

9. The system of claim 8.

10. 10. The system of claim 8 or 9, wherein the computer processor is further configured to process data indicative of ambient atmospheric conditions, and wherein the power factor for the turbine engine is further based on the data indicative of the ambient atmospheric conditions.

11. The data indicative of the ambient atmospheric conditions is selected from the group consisting of ambient temperature, altitude, and relative humidity.

11. The system according to claim 8 or 10.

12. The real-time control of the operation of the turbine engine includes determining a temperature limit offset for a temperature limit setpoint based on the ambient atmospheric conditions and the selected optimization goal.

11. The system according to claim 8 or 10.

13. The system according to claim 8 or 10, wherein the hypothetical data indicative of the response of the turbine engine comprises a transient response of the turbine engine.

14. 11. The system of claim 8 or 10, wherein the real-time controlling of the operation of the turbine engine includes repeatedly issuing a series of power commands to the turbine engine, the series of power commands setting respective power levels adjusted to meet the selected optimization goal, taking into account the varying load conditions of the turbine engine and further taking into account the desired life goal for the at least one component of the turbine engine.

15. 1. A computer-implemented method for controlling a turbine engine, comprising: a non-transitory computer-readable medium programmed with computer-readable code, the computer-readable code being executed by a computer processor, the computer processor performing: determining a power factor for the turbine engine based on an optimization goal selected for the turbine engine, the optimization goal selected from a menu of predefined optimization goals for the turbine engine; issuing a power command to the turbine engine, the power command setting a power level for operating the turbine engine, the power level being based on the determined power factor; processing virtual data generated in real time by a dynamic model of the turbine engine, the virtual data indicative of a response of the turbine engine in accordance with the power level setting for the turbine engine; determining a life factor for at least one component of the turbine engine according to the power level setting for the turbine engine; determining in real time a remaining useful life for the at least one component of the turbine engine according to the power level setting for the turbine engine based on the determined life factor and the processed hypothetical data; and controlling operation of the turbine engine in real time using a computer processor, the control configured to meet the selected optimization goal taking into account varying load conditions of the turbine engine and further taking into account a desired life goal for the at least one component of the turbine engine; A computer-implemented method for performing

16. The optimization objective is selected from the group consisting of: maximizing the power produced by the turbine engine, maximizing the remaining useful life for at least one component of the turbine engine, and a mixed optimization of the power produced by the turbine engine and the remaining useful life for the at least one component of the turbine engine.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 15.

17. The computer processor is further configured to process data indicative of ambient atmospheric conditions, and the power factor for the turbine engine is further based on the data indicative of the ambient atmospheric conditions.

17. A computer-implemented method according to claim 15 or 16.

18. 18. The computer-implemented method of claim 15 or 17, wherein the data indicative of the ambient atmospheric conditions is selected from the group consisting of ambient temperature, altitude, and relative humidity.

19. The step of controlling the operation of the turbine engine in real time includes determining a temperature limit offset relative to a temperature limit setpoint, the temperature limit offset being based on the ambient atmospheric conditions and the selected optimization goal.

18. A computer-implemented method according to claim 15 or 17.

20. The hypothetical data indicative of the response of the turbine engine includes a transient response of the turbine engine.

18. A computer-implemented method according to claim 15 or 17.

21. The step of controlling the operation of the turbine engine in real time includes repeatedly issuing a series of power commands to the turbine engine, the series of power commands having respective power levels adjusted to meet the selected optimization goal, taking into account the varying load conditions of the turbine engine and further taking into account the desired life goal for the at least one component of the turbine engine.

18. A computer-implemented method according to claim 15 or 17.

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