Variable Geometry Mechanism Transient Bias Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for adjusting variable inlet guide vanes in engines are unable to quickly achieve the desired power level during rapid engine transitions, such as accelerations or decelerations, due to their reliance on engine speed adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that monitor engine control requests, determine the rate of change, and apply a transient bias map to a steady-state schedule to generate a variable geometry mechanism request, allowing for faster power response by adjusting the position of variable geometry mechanisms like inlet guide vanes based on power or torque control demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If variable inlet guide vanes are adjusted based on engine speed, then the control system is simple and reliable, but the response time to achieve requested power level is too slow during rapid engine transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The control system applies a transient bias map in advance during detected transient conditions (rapid power changes) to proactively adjust variable inlet guide vanes before the engine completes its transition. This preliminary action on the geometry mechanism based on predicted transient needs reduces response time without requiring a permanently complex control architecture, as the bias map is only applied when transients are detected.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically switches between steady-state scheduling (normal operation) and transient bias map application (rapid transitions) based on real-time engine operating conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize response time during transients while maintaining simplicity during steady-state operation, effectively resolving the contradiction between speed and complexity.
2Productivity
If variable inlet guide vanes are adjusted based on steady-state schedules, then the engine operates efficiently at stable power levels, but the engine cannot quickly achieve requested power level during rapid transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors engine operating conditions and power requests to detect transient states. This feedback mechanism allows the system to determine when to apply the transient bias map versus using steady-state schedules, ensuring that control accuracy is maintained during normal operation while enabling rapid response during transitions. The feedback loop maintains reliability by validating that transient corrections are only applied when actually needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameter approach by introducing a transient bias map that modifies the standard steady-state scheduling parameters during transient conditions. This parameter change allows the variable inlet guide vanes to move to intermediate positions that optimize power response speed without compromising the accuracy of steady-state operation, effectively balancing productivity and reliability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
Systems and methods for adjusting a variable geometry mechanism (120) of an engine (10) are described herein. An engine control request indicative of a desired output power for the engine (10) is monitored. A rate of change of the engine control request is determined. The rate of change is compared to a threshold. Responsive to determining that the rate of change is beyond the threshold, a transient bias map is applied to a steady-state schedule to generate a variable geometry mechanism request indicative of a target position for the variable geometry mechanism (120). The variable geometry mechanism (120) is adjusted toward the target position according to the variable geometry mechanism request.