Distributed Engine Control via Data Bus and Concentrators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas turbine engine control architectures, such as FADEC, face challenges with high procurement costs and increased functional overhead due to the need for specialized electronics and complex wiring, which can be mitigated by a distributed control system that leverages aircraft resources for processing and data transmission.
Innovation Solution
A distributed engine control system utilizing engine data concentrators and a hydro-mechanical unit connected via high-integrity data buses, which offloads traditional FADEC functionality to generic engine data concentrators and aircraft resources, reducing wire weight and development costs while enhancing maintenance diagnostics and availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a centralized FADEC architecture is used, then control functionality is integrated and reliable, but system weight increases due to specialized electronics and complex wiring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized FADEC functionality into distributed intelligent nodes (sensors, actuators, and control units) that can independently process control decisions. Each node contains local processing capability, allowing the system to distribute functions across multiple lightweight components rather than consolidating them in a single heavy centralized unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs universal intelligent nodes that can perform multiple control functions across different engine parameters. These nodes are designed with configurable processing capabilities that can handle various sensor inputs and actuator outputs, replacing the need for specialized dedicated electronics for each control function.
2Weight of moving object
If a distributed control architecture with smart sensors and actuators is used, then system weight is reduced, but procurement costs increase due to specialized electronics for high temperature environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a data bus as an intermediary communication medium that connects standard sensors and actuators to the control network. This data bus handles the high-temperature signal transmission requirements, allowing the actual sensor and actuator components to use conventional, lower-cost electronics that do not require specialized high-temperature ratings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses standardized, commercially available sensor and actuator components that can be replicated across multiple nodes. Rather than procuring custom-specialized electronics for each high-temperature application, the system uses copies of standard components connected through the robust data bus infrastructure.
3Reliability
If a distributed control architecture with many smart nodes is used, then functionality is distributed and reliability is improved, but functional overhead increases to support the distributed controls network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the communication and diagnostic functions into a unified data bus infrastructure. The same data bus that transmits control signals also carries diagnostic information and status data from all intelligent nodes, eliminating the need for separate diagnostic wiring and processing overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous feedback loops where each intelligent node automatically reports its status, health, and operational parameters back through the data bus. This self-diagnostic capability provides comprehensive fault detection without requiring additional external monitoring systems or increasing functional overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
A distributed engine control system is provided. The engine control system includes first and second engine data concentrators. Each of the first and second engine data concentrators include a processor module, a signal conditioning module coupled to the processor module, a data transfer module coupled to the processor module, and a data bus coupled between the first and second engine data concentrators and a hydro-mechanical unit (HMU).