Engine Sensor Fault Accommodation Using On-Board Parameter Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional engine control systems for aircraft turbine engines lack effective methods to detect and accommodate faults in actuator and engine sensors, leading to potential system failures and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An engine control system utilizing an electronic hardware engine controller with an EPOS model that synthesizes engine operating parameters to detect and compensate for faulty sensors, allowing continued operation by replacing faulty sensor outputs with synthesized values, thereby maintaining target operating conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional engine control systems use traditional sensor-based control methods, then the system structure is simple, but the system reliability deteriorates when sensor faults occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the control parameter from direct sensor measurements to synthesized parameters generated by the EPOS model. When sensor faults are detected, the control system switches from using raw sensor data to using synthesized parameters that are calculated based on the physical model of the engine, thereby maintaining control reliability without requiring complete redundancy of all sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The EPOS model acts as an intermediary between the sensors and the control system. Instead of directly using sensor outputs, the system uses the EPOS model to synthesize engine operating parameters, which then serve as the basis for control decisions. This intermediary layer filters out faulty sensor data and provides reliable synthesized parameters for control.
2Productivity
If the system replaces faulty sensor outputs with synthesized parameters, then the system maintains operation capability, but the measurement precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial replacement of sensor data with synthesized parameters. Instead of replacing all sensor data, it selectively replaces only the faulty sensor outputs while maintaining use of valid sensor data where available. This partial action maintains operation capability while preserving measurement precision for non-faulty parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors sensor outputs and compares them with synthesized parameters from the EPOS model. When discrepancies indicate sensor faults, the system provides feedback to switch to synthesized parameter usage. This feedback mechanism ensures that the transition from sensor-based to model-based control occurs only when necessary, maintaining precision during normal operation.
3Reliability
If the system uses dual-channel sensor configuration for fault detection, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the functions of fault detection and parameter synthesis into a unified control architecture. The EPOS model serves both as a synthesis engine for generating control parameters and as a reference for detecting sensor faults through comparison. This merging reduces the need for separate fault detection hardware and simplifies the overall sensor system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The EPOS model performs multiple functions: it synthesizes engine operating parameters for control, detects sensor faults by comparing synthesized vs. measured values, and provides a reference framework for system diagnostics. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated fault detection hardware, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An engine control system includes an electronic hardware engine controller (150) in signal communication with an actuator (124) and an engine sensor (126a, 126b). The actuator (124) operates at a plurality of different positions to control operation of an engine (130). The engine sensor (126a, 126b) measures an engine operating parameter. The engine controller (150) generates a synthesized engine operating parameter, and adjusts the position of the actuator (124) based on the synthesized engine operating parameter in response to detecting a faulty engine sensor (126a, 126b).