Gas Turbine Start Control via Dynamic Mode Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas turbine engine start modes often result in incomplete or delayed starts and excessive engine temperature conditions due to inappropriate pilot selection, necessitating a more automatic and autonomous engine control system for selecting the appropriate start mode based on system parameters.
Innovation Solution
An engine system with a controller that evaluates engine system parameters, such as acceleration, to select between windmill and assisted start modes, generating specific acceleration and fuel commands to optimize start operations, thereby reducing pilot workload and improving start efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pilot manually selects start mode, then start mode selection is flexible, but start operations may be incomplete or delayed due to inappropriate selection
Solution Approach 1:
The engine control system automatically selects the appropriate start mode (assisted or windmill) based on real-time evaluation of engine parameters such as air speed and engine temperature, eliminating the need for pilot intervention in mode selection and ensuring optimal start operations
2Speed
If assisted start mode is used, then engine start speed is increased, but engine temperature may become excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the start mode based on real-time engine conditions. When engine temperature is already high, the system selects windmill start mode instead of assisted start mode, automatically adapting to prevent excessive temperature while still achieving necessary start speed
Solution Approach 2:
The engine control continuously monitors engine parameters including temperature and air speed, using this feedback to determine the appropriate start mode. The system evaluates whether assisted or windmill start is more suitable based on current conditions, creating a closed-loop control that prevents excessive temperature rise
3Temperature
If windmill start mode is used, then engine temperature is controlled, but start speed may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between windmill and assisted start modes based on real-time evaluation of engine parameters. When wind conditions are insufficient or engine temperature allows, the system transitions to assisted start mode to ensure adequate start speed is achieved
4Measurement precision
If automatic engine control is implemented, then start mode selection accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engine control system performs multiple functions including automatic start mode selection, parameter monitoring, and conditional logic evaluation within a single integrated controller, avoiding the need for separate dedicated systems and managing complexity through functional integration
Data Source
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AI summary
An engine system (100) for starting a gas turbine engine (110) includes a starter (140) coupled to the gas turbine engine and configured to provide torque to the gas turbine engine; and a controller (150) coupled to the starter and configured to evaluate an engine system parameter and to select from a plurality of start modes for starting the gas turbine engine based on the engine system parameter.