Multi-Engine Thrust Matching Using Incumbent Powerplant Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies fail to effectively address the challenge of matching engine characteristics during engine acceleration and deceleration in aircraft with asymmetric thrust, especially during fast transients, and automated control systems are costly and impractical for engine development programs.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for controlling multi-engine aircraft by using a model of an incumbent powerplant to modify commanded thrust, applying it to a new hybrid electric powerplant, and employing torque split logic to emulate the incumbent powerplant's performance, including a controller and thrust command modification unit to achieve thrust matching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If automated control systems are used to compensate for multiple engine thrust asymmetry, then handling characteristics during fast transients are improved, but system cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual model (copy) of the incumbent powerplant's transient characteristics and applies it to the new powerplant through software-based thrust curve modification. This avoids the need for expensive automated control systems while achieving similar handling characteristics. The virtual model replicates the original engine's acceleration and deceleration behavior without requiring complex hardware modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical control systems with a software-based solution that modifies thrust commands using processed pilot input and virtual models of powerplant characteristics. This substitution of mechanical/automated control with software processing achieves the same handling quality at lower cost and complexity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If pilot manually adjusts aircraft control surfaces to manage multiple engine thrust asymmetry, then steady state performance is maintained, but fast transient response deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent processes pilot control inputs in advance and modifies thrust commands before they are applied to the new powerplant. By pre-processing the control signals and applying appropriate thrust modifications ahead of time, the system maintains both steady-state performance and fast transient response without requiring manual pilot adjustments during critical moments.
3Productivity
If new powerplant is installed to improve aircraft performance, then capability is enhanced, but matching transient characteristics with original engine becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies thrust command parameters by processing pilot inputs and applying transformation functions that adjust the magnitude and timing of thrust changes. This parameter transformation allows the new powerplant to replicate the transient characteristics of the original engine while maintaining its superior performance capabilities, effectively decoupling performance improvement from characteristics matching.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling a multi-engine aircraft includes receiving input for commanded thrust and modifying the commanded thrust using a model of an incumbent powerplant to generate a modified commanded thrust for matching aircraft performance with a new powerplant to the aircraft performance with the incumbent powerplant. The method includes applying the modified commanded thrust to the new powerplant.