Aircraft Engine Thrust Control Without Total Air Temperature Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
The removal of aircraft total air temperature (TAT) probes from gas turbine engine control systems increases the Loss of Thrust Control (LOTC) rate, making it difficult to maintain thrust operability and regulatory compliance without redundant temperature measurements.
Innovation Solution
A control system that determines the availability of engine inlet temperature data and implements either a measured or default temperature engine thrust setting schedule based on sensed aircraft altitude and speed, ensuring at least 90% rated thrust is maintained, even when TAT probes are removed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If aircraft total air temperature (TAT) probes are removed from the engine control system, then system complexity and component count are reduced, but the loss of redundancy increases the LOTC rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the TAT probes from the engine control system, eliminating the need for these redundant temperature measurement components while maintaining thrust control reliability through alternative means (engine inlet temperature probes and modified control logic)
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic thrust schedule selection that adapts based on the availability of temperature data. The system dynamically switches between using measured engine inlet temperature when available and default temperature values when TAT probes are unavailable, maintaining reliability without fixed redundant hardware
2Ease of manufacture
If TAT probes are removed to reduce recurring costs and maintenance, then operational costs are reduced, but thrust control reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes TAT probes and their associated heating elements, wiring, and maintenance requirements, eliminating recurring operational costs while preserving thrust control functionality through the engine inlet temperature probe system
3Ease of operation
If default temperature thrust schedules are used when engine inlet temperature data is unavailable, then thrust operability is maintained, but thrust precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and stores default temperature thrust schedules for various altitude and flight condition combinations. When real-time temperature data is unavailable, the system retrieves and applies these pre-computed schedules, ensuring thrust operability without real-time measurement precision
Data Source
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AI summary
A control system for an aircraft gas turbine propulsion engine includes an engine control that is adapted to receive at least engine inlet temperature data and aircraft altitude data. The engine control is configured to determine the availability of the engine inlet temperature data and implements a measured temperature engine thrust setting schedule when the engine inlet temperature data is available, and a default temperature engine thrust setting schedule when the engine inlet temperature data is unavailable. The default temperature engine thrust setting schedule ensures that the gas turbine propulsion engine will generate at least 90% of rated engine thrust at all actual engine inlet temperatures at the sensed aircraft altitude.