Aircraft Engine Bleed-Air Valve Control via Secondary Power Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft turbine engines face inefficiencies in managing secondary power loads during low thrust requirements, leading to unnecessary high engine speeds and energy wastage due to the inability to accurately determine real-time secondary power consumption, resulting in excessive bleed air expulsion.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a torque meter, secondary load processor, and electronic engine controller (EEC) to accurately determine secondary load data from torque, current, and voltage signals, allowing the EEC to control bleed-air valve openings based on real-time power extraction, thereby maintaining a desired surge margin without excessive energy loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If engine speed is maintained at a high level to accommodate secondary loading during low thrust requirements, then surge conditions are precluded, but energy wastage increases due to excessive power output
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses real-time feedback from torque meters and power monitoring processors to continuously measure actual secondary power consumption. This feedback loop allows the EEC to dynamically adjust bleed air valve opening based on actual conditions rather than fixed worst-case assumptions, enabling precise control that prevents both surge conditions and energy wastage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of bleed air valves based on real-time measurements of secondary load conditions. By varying valve opening degree according to actual power extraction requirements, the system optimizes engine operation to maintain surge margin while minimizing energy waste during different flight phases.
2Reliability
If bleed air valves are opened to reduce engine pressure during low thrust periods, then surge conditions are avoided, but energy from the engine is wasted by discharge to the atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using fixed worst-case assumptions that lead to excessive bleed air opening, the system applies partial action by opening valves only to the extent necessary based on actual secondary load measurements. This ensures adequate surge protection while avoiding the energy waste associated with over-opening valves when secondary loading is lower than maximum expected conditions.
3Reliability
If worst-case secondary power requirement is programmed into the EEC, then secondary loading does not produce surge conditions, but the system becomes energy wasteful when actual loading is lower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fixed worst-case programming with a feedback-based measurement system. Torque meters on power takeoff shafts and power monitoring processors on electrical generators provide real-time data on actual secondary power consumption, allowing the EEC to adjust bleed air valve opening precisely to match actual conditions rather than assuming maximum loading at all times.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical approach of fixed valve positioning based on worst-case assumptions with an electronic control system that uses sensors and processors to dynamically determine optimal valve opening. This substitution enables precise, adaptive control that responds to actual operating conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for controlling a turbine aircraft engine may include apparatus to determine an amount of secondary power extraction from the engine, a secondary load processor configured to receive and condition secondary power extraction data. An electronic engine controller (EEC) may be configured to receive secondary load data from the secondary load processor and produce commands to open bleed-air valves of the engine, said commands being based on the secondary load data.