Single-Lever Turbine Engine and Remote Propulsor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbine engine control systems require dual throttle levers for adjusting turbo-engine speed and propulsor speed, increasing pilot workload and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A single throttle lever control system that integrates turbine engine speed and propulsor speed control, utilizing a data communication bus for communication between the turbine engine and remote propulsor, and a separate gearbox lubrication system powered by a pump driven by the propulsor shaft or electric power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dual throttle levers are used for controlling turbine engine speed and propulsor speed, then control precision is improved, but device complexity and pilot workload increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate throttle lever controls into a single integrated throttle lever that controls both the turbine engine speed and propulsor speed. The single lever incorporates multiple control functions (turbine speed control and propulsor speed control) that were previously separated, thereby reducing device complexity and pilot workload while maintaining control precision through integrated control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The single throttle lever is designed to perform multiple functions: controlling turbine engine speed, controlling propulsor speed, and coordinating between these two systems. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dual throttle levers, reducing system complexity while preserving the precision control capabilities through a unified control interface.
2Loss of energy
If the turbine engine is shut down, then fuel consumption is reduced, but gearbox lubrication is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The lubrication system is segmented into two independent sources: one powered by the turbine engine and another powered by the propulsor shaft or electric power. This segmentation allows the gearbox lubrication to be maintained by the propulsor-side power source when the turbine engine is shut down, ensuring lubrication continuity while enabling fuel savings from engine shutdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The propulsor shaft or electric power system acts as an intermediary power source to maintain gearbox lubrication when the turbine engine is not running. This intermediary ensures that the lubrication function continues without interruption, bridging the gap between turbine engine shutdown and gearbox lubrication requirements.
3Reliability
If separate lubrication systems are used for turbine engine and propulsor gearbox, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
While maintaining functionally separate lubrication systems for the turbine engine and propulsor gearbox (each with its own pump and circulation path), the patent integrates the control and monitoring functions through a unified control system. This approach preserves the reliability benefits of separate lubrication paths while reducing overall system complexity through centralized control architecture.
Data Source
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AI summary
A turbine engine control system (200, 400) for a propulsion system (100, 300) and a method of operating the propulsion system (100, 300). The propulsion system (100, 300) includes a turbine engine (10) including a turbo-engine (16) and a first propulsor (38a) drivingly coupled to the turbo-engine (16), and a second propulsor (38b) that is remote from the turbine engine (10). The turbine engine control system (200, 400) includes a single throttle lever (204, 404) and a controller (202, 402) that receives an input from the single throttle lever (204, 404), and controls the turbine engine (10) and the second propulsor (38b) based on the input from the single throttle lever (204, 404).