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EP0691631A1 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Steady state sensor

Assignee: Rolls Royce PLC
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Filing: 1995-07-03
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2015-07-03
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Abstract

Abstract In operation of an engine it is desirable to be able to keep track of engine condition by measuring the values of various engine parameters such as temperatures and pressures and seeing how the relationship between them change. This must be done while the engine is in a steady state condition, generally this requires that the engine be in a cruise condition for some time but this is impractical for military aircraft. It is suggested that each of the sense parameter values be operated on by a trending algorithm which generates a trend estimate which provides a measure of the rate of change of the parameter value. When all of the parameters have trend values below some pre-set value the engine condition is taken to be at least temporarily steady state condition and parameter values recorded for later analysis.

Inventors

  • 👤 Stephen Gareth Morgan
  • 👤 Michael John Provost

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-01 20:28
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07C; G07C3/00; F; F02; F02C; F02C9/00

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim 95 words
A method of monitoring the condition of an engine instrumented with a number of transducers for sensing a plurality of engine parameters, characterised by: measuring the output values of the engine parameter transducers; calculating instantaneous rates of change of said transducer output values; comparing each said calculated rate of change with a corresponding parameter threshold value to determine when the engine has reached or is close to a steady operating state; and in response to positive identification of a steady state or near steady state to record the output values of the engine parameter transducers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 40 words
A method of monitoring engine condition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of comparing a calculated rate of change with a threshold value to identify a deemed steady state condition is executed in accordance with a trending algorithm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 76 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the trending algorithm operates according to the formula: Trend = Old Trend + ((K 2 /(2-K)) x Delta) wherein Delta   = Obs - Old Level - Old Trend Old Level   = Level estimate on previous cycle Level   = Level estimate Old Trend   = Trend estimate on previous cycle Trend   = Trend estimate, and Level   = Old Level + Old Trend + (K x Delta) K   = A Constant
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 111 words
Apparatus for monitoring the condition of an engine comprises: a plurality of transducers attached at points on the engine for sensing a plurality of engine parameters, means for periodically capturing the output values of the engine parameter transducers; processor means for: calculating instantaneous rates of change of said transducer output values; comparing each said calculated rate of change with a corresponding parameter threshold value to determine when the engine has reached or is close to a steady operating state; producing an output control signal in response to identification of an engine steady state; and means responsive to said output control signal for recording the output values of the engine parameter transducers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 41 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 further comprising: means for storing a threshold value, means for comparing the calculated rate of change with the stored threshold value whereby to identify a deemed steady state condition in accordance with a trending algorithm.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4467640A Cited
DE3633402A1 Cited
DE3639755A1 Cited
EP0286120A2 Cited
EP0327865A2 Cited
DE4234210A1 Cited

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