Distributed Fuel Control System for Turbine Engine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbine engines face challenges in controlling fuel flow due to limited controllability of multiplex fuel delivery units, leading to uneven fuel distribution and variations in fuel pressure, volume, and velocity across the engine.
Innovation Solution
A distributed fuel control system comprising a controller, fuel delivery system, and sensors that allow individualized control and monitoring of fuel flow to each multiplex fuel delivery unit, using a processor and tangible memory to regulate fuel passage based on inputs from sensors and aircraft systems, ensuring precise fuel pressure, volume, and velocity delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional centralized fuel control is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but fuel flow controllability and distribution uniformity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel control system is segmented into multiple independent control units, each responsible for a specific multiplex fuel delivery unit. This segmentation allows individualized control of fuel flow to each delivery unit, improving controllability and distribution uniformity while maintaining overall system manageability through modular architecture.
2Measurement precision
If individualized control of each multiplex fuel delivery unit is implemented, then fuel flow precision is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts fuel flow parameters for each multiplex fuel delivery unit based on real-time sensor feedback and operational conditions. This dynamic control enables precise fuel flow regulation while the system adapts to varying engine conditions, maintaining precision without requiring overly complex static control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensor feedback from each multiplex fuel delivery unit is integrated into the control system, allowing real-time monitoring and adjustment of fuel flow parameters. This feedback mechanism enables precise control by continuously comparing actual fuel delivery against target parameters and making corrective adjustments.
3Device complexity
If centralized fuel control is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but fuel distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Each control unit is configured with local quality characteristics tailored to its specific multiplex fuel delivery unit, accounting for variations in delivery unit performance and positioning. This localized control approach ensures uniform fuel distribution across all delivery units by compensating for individual unit variations through customized control parameters.
Data Source
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AI summary
Distributed fuel control system (2) and methods are disclosed. A distributed fuel control system (2) may comprise a controller (4), a fuel delivery system (6), and fuel delivery system sensors (8) and combustion sensors (10). The controller may output a control signal (5) in response to at least one of the fuel delivery system sensor (8) or the combustion sensors (10). In response, the fuel flow to an individual multiplex fuel delivery unit (25-1 to 25-n) may be controlled according to various methods. One such method includes determining a desired fuel pressure differential, directing a torque motor (15) to set a pressure regulator (14) to a position corresponding to the desired fuel pressure differential, determining a sensed fuel pressure differential, and adjusting the torque motor (15) in response to a difference between the sensed fuel pressure differential and the desired fuel pressure differential.