Adaptive Effector Power Control for Peak Current Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complex engineered systems, such as gas turbine engines and HVAC systems, face challenges in managing power distribution due to unfavorable interactions between components, leading to excessive design margins and inefficient power usage, which can result in over-sized power supplies and wasted energy.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing adaptive model-based control to manage the power draw of electromechanical effectors in gas turbine engines by receiving requests for desired states, updating model data, and generating control commands to limit current draw within acceptable thresholds, employing quadratic programming for optimization and incorporating real-time linearization to handle non-linear behaviors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the power system is sized to handle the worst case power draw of all subsystems simultaneously, then the power supply can meet peak demand requirements, but the power supply size and weight increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic power management by continuously monitoring the state of multiple subsystems and adjusting power distribution in real-time. The control system dynamically determines which subsystems are active and coordinates their operation to prevent simultaneous peak draws, allowing the power supply to be sized for average rather than worst-case conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by predicting potential power draw conflicts before they occur. The control system proactively coordinates subsystem operation to prevent overlapping peak demands, ensuring power requirements are managed before the power supply would be overwhelmed.
2Loss of energy
If multiple subsystems are managed together to prevent exceeding power limits, then power draw is controlled within limits, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the control system continuously monitors subsystem states and power consumption levels. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically adjust power distribution and coordinate subsystem operation to prevent waste, without requiring overly complex manual control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system implements self-service by autonomously managing power distribution based on monitored subsystem states. The system automatically coordinates power draw without external intervention, reducing the need for complex external control mechanisms while preventing energy waste.
3Productivity
If subsystems are allowed to operate at full rate independently, then each subsystem achieves optimal performance, but the sum of power draw exceeds system limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling subsystems to operate at full performance when needed while dynamically coordinating their operation to prevent simultaneous peak draws. The control system adjusts the timing and sequencing of subsystem operation to maintain overall productivity within power constraints.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for controlling a plurality of electromechanical effectors (114) operably connected to an engine (20) to control engine parameters. The system also includes a plurality of sensors (108) operably connected to measure a state or parameter of each effector, a power supply (130) configured to supply power to the plurality of effectors (114), and a controller (106) operably connected to the plurality of sensors, the plurality of effectors, and the power supply. The controller executes a method (150, 200) for an adaptive model-based control for controlling each effector. The method includes receiving (505) a request indicative of a desired state for each effector, receiving (505) a weighting associated each request, obtaining (510) information about a current state of each effector, and updating (515) an adaptive model based control (MBC) based upon the information. The method also includes generating (520) a control command for an effector based upon the adaptive MBC and commanding (525) the effector based upon the control command.