Single-Throttle Turbine Propulsion Control for Remote Propulsors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbine engine control systems require dual throttle levers for adjusting turbo-engine and propulsor speed, increasing pilot workload and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A single throttle lever system that controls both turbine engine speed and propulsor speed and pitch, utilizing a hybrid electric propulsion system with a data communication bus for integrated control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dual throttle levers are used to control turbo-engine and propulsor speed, then control precision is improved, but device complexity and pilot workload increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control functions of the turbo-engine and propulsor into a single throttle lever system. The controller integrates both control functions, allowing the pilot to manage both systems through one lever rather than two separate levers, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining control precision through electronic integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The single throttle lever is designed to perform multiple functions: controlling both the turbo-engine speed and the propulsor speed. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate control levers for each system, reducing overall control system complexity while preserving precise control capabilities through the controller's ability to manage multiple parameters from a single input.
2Measurement precision
If dual throttle levers are used to control turbo-engine and propulsor speed, then control precision is improved, but pilot workload increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control operations for the turbo-engine and propulsor into a single throttle lever, reducing the number of manual operations required from the pilot. The controller processes the single lever input to manage both systems, thereby decreasing pilot workload while maintaining precise control through electronic regulation.
3Ease of operation
If single throttle lever is used to control both turbo-engine and propulsor speed, then pilot workload is reduced, but control precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical dual-lever control system with an electronically controlled single-lever system. The controller uses electronic signals to precisely regulate both the turbo-engine and propulsor based on the single lever position, substituting mechanical complexity with electronic precision to maintain control accuracy while reducing pilot workload.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the controller continuously monitors the actual speeds of the turbo-engine and propulsor and adjusts them based on the throttle lever position. This feedback loop ensures that precise control is maintained despite the simplification to a single lever, allowing the system to automatically fine-tune both parameters for optimal performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A turbine engine control system for a propulsion system and a method of operating the propulsion system. The propulsion system includes a turbine engine including a turbo-engine and a first propulsor drivingly coupled to the turbo-engine, and a second propulsor that is remote from the turbine engine. The turbine engine control system includes a single throttle lever and a controller that receives an input from the single throttle lever, and controls the turbine engine and the second propulsor based on the input from the single throttle lever.