Turbopropeller Control with Corrected Propeller Speed Reference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current control systems for turbopropeller engines do not optimize engine/propeller efficiency, failing to reach the most efficient operating point in all conditions, despite reducing pilot workload and improving safety.
Innovation Solution
A control system that adjusts reference propeller speed and engine torque to maximize efficiency by using a correction stage and optimizer block, which calculates and applies reference speed and torque corrections based on real-time measurements and environmental parameters to maintain power settings while optimizing propeller performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single-lever control system is used to reduce pilot workload, then ease of operation is improved, but the engine cannot operate at maximum efficiency in all conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically determines optimized propeller speed and applies corrections without pilot intervention. The processing unit calculates the difference between scheduled and optimized speeds, then automatically adjusts the propeller speed reference, allowing the system to self-optimize efficiency while the pilot maintains simple single-lever control
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the processing unit continuously monitors the difference between scheduled propeller speed from the first reference generator and optimized propeller speed from the second reference generator, then applies corrections to maintain maximum efficiency across all operating conditions
2Ease of operation
If traditional control systems are used to simplify operation, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity is reduced due to suboptimal efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple reference generators: a first reference generator for scheduled propeller speed maintaining simple operation, and a second reference generator for optimized propeller speed that improves efficiency. The processing unit selectively applies corrections from the second generator, allowing the system to maintain simplicity while achieving higher productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the propeller speed parameter dynamically by applying corrections based on the difference between scheduled and optimized speeds. This allows the engine to operate at maximum efficiency across varying conditions while maintaining the simplicity of single-lever control for the pilot
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic control system (30) for a turbopropeller engine (1) having a gas turbine (2, 4, 5, 6) and a propeller (7), coupled to the gas turbine, the control system (10) having a propeller control unit (14) and a turbine control unit (15) to jointly control engine power output based on an input request (PLA), wherein the propeller control unit (14) has a first reference generator (16), to determine a reference propeller speed (Npref) based on the input request (PLA), and a first regulator (19), to regulate a propeller speed (Np). The propeller control unit (14) has a reference correction stage (31) to apply a correction to the reference propeller speed (Npref) and generate thereby a corrected reference propeller speed (I), and the first regulator (19) regulates the propeller speed (Np) based on the corrected reference propeller speed (I) to achieve optimized efficiency.