US3797233A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integrated control for a turbopropulsion system
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1973-06-28
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Granted: 1974-03-19
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Expires: 1993-06-28
Abstract
Abstract An integrated turbopropulsion system is disclosed consisting of a variable air induction system, a turbine engine and an exhaust nozzle/ejector. Control of the total system is provided by a plurality of basic control systems consisting of separate controls for each individual system variable. A supervisory control receives inputs from selected basic controls and from external signals, and provides additional inputs to the basic controls to permit the basic controls to increase the performance of the turbopropulsion system and to extend the control envelope of the total system. Additional basic controls may be added to the system, or basic controls may be subtracted from the system without affecting the performance of the entire turbopropulsion system. Novel basic controls for individual system variables are disclosed, as well as a novel integrator lockout control and a novel variable rate control. As a result of the intercommunication between individual basic controls provided by the supervisory control, the entire integrated turbopropulsion system may be controlled to more stringent limits than can be provided by a plurality of independent basic controls.
Inventors
- 👤 W Webb
- 👤 T Warwick
- 👤 R Hackey
- 👤 R Price
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:39
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02C; F02C9/00; F02C9/16; F02C9/20; F02C9/22; F02C9/48; F02C9/50; F02K; F02K3/00; F02K3/02; F02K3/04; F02K3/077; F04; F04D; F04D27/00; F04D27/02; F04D27/0284; F05; F05D; F05D2200/00; F05D2200/10; F05D2200/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
268 words
A fuel control for a twin spool turbine engine having a high turbine for driving a high compressor and a low turbine for driving a low compressor, and including a burner for providing power for said high and low turbines comprising means responsive to selected parameters in said engine for generating a plurality of signals each of which is indicative of a fuel flow limit for said engine, at least limit selector receiving each of said fuel flow limits signals and passing therethrough the fuel flow limit signal calling for the lowest fuel flow, means for generating a fuel flow error signal indicative of the difference between a desired fuel flow and actual fuel flow, a minimum error selector receiving the fuel flow limit signal passed by said least limit selector and receiving said fuel flow error signal and passing therethrough the signal calling for the lower fuel flow, means for generating a signal indicative of a minimum fuel flow limit for said engine, a maximum error selector receiving said lower fuel flow signal and said minimum fuel flow limit signal and passing therethrough the signal calling for the maximum fuel flow, a variable gain circuit for varying the gain of the maximum fuel flow signal passed by said maximum error selector, means responsive to the fuel flow limit signal passed by said least limit selector and to the minimum fuel flow limit signal for scheduling the gain of said variable gain circuit, and means responsive to said maximum fuel flow signal as compensated by said variable gain circuit for controlling the flow of fuel to said combustor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
268 words
A fuel control for a twin spool turbine engine having a high turbine for driving a high compressor and a low turbine for driving a low compressor, and including a burner for providing power for said high and low turbines comprising means responsive to selected parameters in said engine for generating a plurality of signals each of which is indicative of a fuel flow limit for said engine, at least limit selector receiving each of said fuel flow limits signals and passing therethrough the fuel flow limit signal calling for the lowest fuel flow, means for generating a fuel flow error signal indicative of the difference between a desired fuel flow and actual fuel flow, a minimum error selector receiving the fuel flow limit signal passed by said least limit selector and receiving said fuel flow error signal and passing therethrough the signal calling for the lower fuel flow, means for generating a signal indicative of a minimum fuel flow limit for said engine, a maximum error selector receiving said lower fuel flow signal and said minimum fuel flow limit signal and passing therethrough the signal calling for the maximum fuel flow, a variable gain circuit for varying the gain of the maximum fuel flow signal passed by said maximum error selector, means responsive to the fuel flow limit signal passed by said least limit selector and to the minimum fuel flow limit signal for scheduling the gain of said variable gain circuit, and means responsive to said maximum fuel flow signal as compensated by said variable gain circuit for controlling the flow of fuel to said combustor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
90 words
A fuel control as in claim 1 in which said means responsive to selected parameters in said engine for generating a plurality of signals indicative of a fuel flow limit for said engine comprises means for generating a signal indicative of engine high compressor speed limit, means for generating a signal indicative of low compressor speed limit, means for generating a signal indicative of high turbine inlet temperature limit, means for generating a signal indicative of burner pressure limit, and means for generating a signal indicative of compressor surge limit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
91 words
A fuel control as in claim 1 in which said means for scheduling the gain of said variable gain circuit includes means responsive to said fuel flow limit signal for scheduling a first gain factor, means responsive to said minimum fuel flow limit signal for scheduling a second gain factor, means responsive to the magnitude and polarity of said maximum fuel flow signal for selecting one of said first or second gain factors, and means for scheduling the gain of said variable gain circuit in response to said selected gain factor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
219 words
A fuel control as in claim 1 in which said means for generating a fuel flow error signal comprises a variable power lever connected with said turbine engine, means for generating a first signal in response to the position of saId power lever, means for generating a second signal in response to the temperature at the engine compressor inlet, means responsive to said first and second signals for generating a scheduled fuel flow signal, means responsive to said first and second signals for generating a scheduled high compressor speed signal, means for measuring high compressor speed and generating a measured high compressor speed signal, means comparing said scheduled high compressor speed signal with said measured high compressor speed signal to generate a high compressor speed error signal, means responsive to said measured high compressor speed signal for generating a governor slope signal, means multiplying said high compressor speed error signal by said governor slope signal to produce a governor slope bias signal, means for adding said governor slope bias signal to said scheduled fuel flow signal to produce a fuel flow request signal, means for measuring actual fuel flow and generating a signal in response thereto, and means for comparing said measured actual fuel flow signal with said fuel flow request signal to generate said fuel flow error signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
A fuel control as in claim 1 in which said means for generating a minimum fuel flow limit signal comprises means responsive to burner pressure and to compressor discharge temperature for generating a desired minimum fuel flow signal, means for measuring actual fuel flow and generating a signal in response thereto, and means comparing said measured fuel flow signal with said desired minimum fuel flow signal to generate said minimum fuel flow limit signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
A fuel control as in claim 1 and including means responsive to the temperature rise across said burner for generating a signal indicative of the occurrence of a flameout in said engine. and means for disconnecting said maximum fuel flow signal and scheduling a fixed fuel flow signal to said engine when a flameout signal is present.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
A fuel control as in claim 2 in which said means for generating a compressor surge limit signal comprises means responsive to the temperature at the inlet to said compressor and to the speed of said high compressor for generating a signal indicative of desired compressor discharge airflow, means for measuring compressor discharge airflow and generating a signal indicative thereof, and means for comparing said desired and measured signals to generate a compressor surge limit signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A control as in claim 7 and including means for generating a reset signal, and means for varying said desired compressor discharge airflow signal in response to said reset signal to provide additional surge margin under selected operating conditions of said engine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
93 words
A fuel control as in claim 2 in which said means for generating a high compressor speed limit signal comprises means responsive to the temperature at the discharge of said high compressor and to the temperature at the inlet to said high turbine for generating a signal indicative of a desired high compressor speed limit, means for measuring high compressor speed and generating a signal indicative thereof, and means for comparing said desired high compressor speed limit signal with said measured high compressor speed signal to generate a high compressor speed limit signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
A control as in claim 9 in which said engine includes a variable bypass around the turbine, a control for said bypass, and means for feeding said high compressor speed limit signal to said bypass control to vary the bypass area.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A control as in claim 9 in which said turbine engine includes a source of cooling air for said turbine, and means responsive to the cooling airflow for varying said desired high compressor speed limit signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
105 words
A fuel control as in claim 1 in which said engine has a source of cooling air for the turbines, and in which said means for generating a high turbine inlet temperature limit sigNal comprises means responsive to the rate of turbine cooling airflow and the temperature of the turbine cooling airflow for generating a desired high turbine inlet temperature limit signal, means for measuring the high turbine inlet temperature and generating a signal in response thereto, and means for comparing said measured high turbine inlet temperature signal with said high turbine inlet temperature limit signal to produce said high turbine inlet temperature limit signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
A control as in claim 12 in which said engine has a variable power lever connected therewith for scheduling engine operation, and means responsive to the position of said power lever for varying said desired high turbine inlet temperature limit signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
74 words
A fuel control as in claim 1 in which said means for generating a burner pressure limit signal comprises means responsive to the temperature at the discharge from said high compressor for generating an allowable burner pressure signal, means for measuring the pressure in said burner and generating an actual burner pressure signal, and means comparing said actual burner pressure signal with said allowable burner pressure signal to produce said burner pressure limit signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
A control as in claim 14 and including a duct surrounding the burner, means for measuring the pressure in said duct and generating a duct pressure signal, and means for varying said burner pressure limit signal in response to said duct pressure signal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-18 | 1977-09-17 | 1978-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-18 | 1981-09-17 | 1982-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-18 | 1985-09-17 | 1986-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |