Power Turbine Speed Control via Generator Torque Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aeronautical gas turbine engines face challenges in maintaining constant speed during transient electrical loading conditions due to the mismatch between their time constants and the requirements of superconducting generators, leading to inefficient energy management and potential overuse of energy storage systems.
Innovation Solution
A power turbine spool speed control system for a turbo-shaft type gas turbine engine that adjusts the electrical load to match the power generation capacity of the power turbine spool, using a controller to sense rotary speed and adjust generator torque, thereby maintaining constant power turbine spool speed through a feedback loop involving a power turbine controller, load sensor, and energy management system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a conventional synchronous generator is used to provide fast load-on and load-off power transients, then the transient response capability is improved, but the power turbine spool speed control deteriorates due to engine response limitations
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of attempting to make the generator follow instantaneous load changes, the invention inverts the approach by controlling the electrical load to follow the generator's output, which in turn follows the engine's natural transient response characteristics. This is achieved through a power turbine controller that adjusts electrical load demand based on sensed power turbine spool speed deviations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a feedback control loop where the power turbine controller continuously senses the power turbine spool speed and generates control signals to adjust the electrical load. The controller compares the actual spool speed with the desired speed and modifies the electrical load demand accordingly to maintain constant spool speed during transient conditions.
2Productivity
If the electrical load follows instantaneous load-on and load-off commands, then the transient handling capability is improved, but the power turbine spool speed stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the electrical load demand dynamic by continuously adjusting it based on the sensed power turbine spool speed. Rather than maintaining a fixed or pre-programmed load schedule, the controller dynamically modifies the electrical load demand in real-time to match the engine's actual performance capabilities during transient conditions.
3Reliability
If energy storage systems are used to handle transient loads, then the power supply reliability is improved, but the system complexity and energy storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables the power generation system to serve itself during transient conditions by automatically adjusting the electrical load to match the engine's available power. The power turbine controller acts as a self-regulating mechanism that eliminates or reduces the need for external energy storage systems to compensate for transient deficiencies.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution ensures constant power turbine spool speed, reducing transient handling requirements for energy storage systems and improving the efficiency of energy management by synchronizing the electrical load with the engine's transient response, thereby enhancing power generation efficiency and reducing energy storage needs.
Implementation Method 1
a power turbine controller that senses the rotary speed of the power turbine spool and generates at least one signal that changes the torque of the electrical generator in response to the sensed change in the rotary speed of the power turbine spool
Data Source
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AI summary
A power turbine speed control system (2) for a turbo-shaft type gas turbine engine (4) that has a gas generator compressor spool (6) and a power turbine spool (8) and drives an electrical generator (20) that powers at least one electrical load (24) by way of at least one electrical bus (22), comprises a power turbine controller (26) that senses the rotary speed of the power turbine spool (8) and generates at least one signal that changes the torque of the electrical generator (20) in response to the sensed change in the rotary speed of the power turbine spool (8).