US3748897A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel control diagnostic unit
Assignee: Colt Industries Operating Corp
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Filing: 1971-12-13
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Granted: 1973-07-31
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Expires: 1991-12-13
Abstract
Abstract The quality of performance of an engine fuel control is measured by comparing actual fuel flow with computed limits of acceptable fuel flow. The comparison is made only for operational modes corresponding to the most probable departures from acceptable performance. Apparatus in accordance with the invention employs digital logic and is responsive to signals commensurate with the controlling input parameters to the control and to a signal commensurate with actual flow rate provided by the control.
Inventors
- 👤 C Rabinowitz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 03:37
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F9/00; G01F9/001; G01M; G01M13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
321 words
Apparatus for providing a qualitative analysis of the performance of a flow regulator in a fluidic system which includes the regulator and a fluid consuming load coupled thereto, said apparatus comprising: first signal generating means for sensing a first system parameter indicative of flow regulator performance and for generating a first electrical input signal commensurate therewith; second signal generating means for sensing a second system parameter indicative of flow regulator performance and for generating a second electrical input signal commensurate therewith; third signal generating means for sensing the regulator output flow rate and for generating a third electrical input signal commensurate therewith; first function generator means connected to said first signal generating means and responsive to said first input signal for generating a set of signals commensurate with the upper and lower limits of acceptable regulator performance as a function of said first parameter; second function generator means connected to said second signal generating means and responsive to said second input signal for generating a second set of signals commensurate with the upper and lower limits of acceptable regulator performance as a function of said second parameter; means connected to said first signal generating means and responsive to said first input signal for generating a signal indicative of which of said first and second parameters is determining regulator performance limits; means connected to said first and second function generator means and to said third signal generating means for comparing said sets of limit signals with said flow rate signal and for producing a plurality of signals indicative of the results of the comparisons; and means connected to said comparing means and to said means for generating signals indicative of the parameter determining performance limits and responsive to the signals provided thereby for producing an output signal indicative of whether the regulator operation is within the limits of acceptable performance as determined by the controlling one of said first and second parameters.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
321 words
Apparatus for providing a qualitative analysis of the performance of a flow regulator in a fluidic system which includes the regulator and a fluid consuming load coupled thereto, said apparatus comprising: first signal generating means for sensing a first system parameter indicative of flow regulator performance and for generating a first electrical input signal commensurate therewith; second signal generating means for sensing a second system parameter indicative of flow regulator performance and for generating a second electrical input signal commensurate therewith; third signal generating means for sensing the regulator output flow rate and for generating a third electrical input signal commensurate therewith; first function generator means connected to said first signal generating means and responsive to said first input signal for generating a set of signals commensurate with the upper and lower limits of acceptable regulator performance as a function of said first parameter; second function generator means connected to said second signal generating means and responsive to said second input signal for generating a second set of signals commensurate with the upper and lower limits of acceptable regulator performance as a function of said second parameter; means connected to said first signal generating means and responsive to said first input signal for generating a signal indicative of which of said first and second parameters is determining regulator performance limits; means connected to said first and second function generator means and to said third signal generating means for comparing said sets of limit signals with said flow rate signal and for producing a plurality of signals indicative of the results of the comparisons; and means connected to said comparing means and to said means for generating signals indicative of the parameter determining performance limits and responsive to the signals provided thereby for producing an output signal indicative of whether the regulator operation is within the limits of acceptable performance as determined by the controlling one of said first and second parameters.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said function generators comprises: a pair of piece-wise linearization circuits.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said comparing means comprises: a threshold detection circuit, said detection circuit including at least four bistable circuit means respectively responsive to one of said upper and lower limit signals and to said actual flow rate signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
80 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said regulator device is an engine fuel control and wherein said output signal providing means comprises: logic circuit means responsive to the output signals provided by said bistable circuit means and to said signals indicative of the parameter determining performance limits for providing a pair of output signal levels respectively commensurate with acceptable and unacceptable performance; and alarm means responsive to the output signal level of said logic circuit means commensurate with unacceptable performAnce.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said engine fuel control is a control for a gas generator including a free turbine and wherein said first and second monitored parameters are respectively gas generator speed and power turbine speed and wherein said first of said function generators comprises: a pair of piece-wise linearization circuits.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
94 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said logic circuit means further provides output signals indicative of which of said first and second parameters is determining the regulator performance limits and wherein said output signal providing means further comprises: indicator means responsive to the logic circuit means output signals indicative of performance limit determining parameter for providing an indication of which of said parameters is instantaneously controlling regulator operation; and means responsive to the energization of said alarm means for locking said indicator means in the state in effect when unacceptable regulator performance was detected.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said engine fuel control is a control for a gas generator including a free turbine and wherein said first and second monitored parameters are respectively gas generator speed and power turbine speed and wherein said first of said function generators comprises: a pair of piece-wise linearization circuits.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said regulator device is a fuel control for a gas turbine engine including a gas generator and a power turbine, said first and second monitored parameters are respectively gas generator speed and power turbine speed, and wherein said function generator means each comprises: means for producing a pair of output signals which vary with the respective monitored parameter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising: means responsive to the input signals commensurate with gas generator speed for generating a signal commensurate with minimum acceleration fuel flow.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said comparing means comprises: threshold detector means, said detector means including a plurality of bistable circuits each responsive to the flow rate signal and respectively responsive to the upper and lower limit signals and the minimum acceleration flow signal for providing 10 signals commensurate with the results of the comparison.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said comparing means further comprises: means for comparing a signal commensurate with gas generator speed with steady state signals commensurate with the upper and lower control limits of gas generator speed in which the apparatus is operational for providing a plurality of signals indicative of whether the regulator is within the operating range of the apparatus.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said output signal generating means comprises: logic circuit means responsive to the signals provided by said comparing means and to said signals indicative of the parameter determining performance limits for providing a pair of output signal levels respectively commensurate with acceptable and unacceptable performance; and self-latching alarm means responsive to the output signal level of said logic circuit means commensurate with unacceptable performance.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
94 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said logic circuit means further provides output signals indicative of which of said first and second parmeters is determining the regulator performance limits and wherein said output signal providing means further comprises: indicator means responsive to the logic circuit means output signals indicative of performance limit determing parameter for providing an indication of which of said parmaeters is instantaneously controlling regulator operation; and means responsive to the energization of said alarm means for locking said indicator means in the state in effect when unacceptable regulator performance was detected.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-30 | 1977-01-29 | 1977-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-30 | 1981-01-29 | 1981-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-30 | 1985-01-29 | 1985-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |