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US4158884A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Gas turbine engine trim test set apparatus

Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1977-10-31
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Granted: 1979-06-19
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Expires: 1997-10-31
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Abstract

Abstract A portable test set provides field measurements of trim adjustable parameters for a gas turbine engine. Analog input signals from sensors disposed about the engine are filtered, to reduce electromagnetic interference, conditioned, amplified, converted to digital form and provided to a microprocessor. The microprocessor uses the digital input signals and stored data to calculate values for measured trim parameters and outputs the results to a digital readout for display. Circuitry is also provided to permit the operator of the test set to input known data to the engine and/or aircraft in order to verify performance of cockpit instrumentation. The test set also may be placed in an internal test mode for verification of its proper performance.

Inventors

  • 👤 Frederick C. McKinley
  • 👤 Ivan R. Anderson

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 19:59
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M15/00; G01M15/04; G01M15/05

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim 129 words
A test set for measuring and displaying performance parameters of a gas turbine engine comprising: (a) a plurality of terminal means, each adapted to receive the analog signal from a separate performance parameter sensor, each analog signal having a value representative of the value of a corresponding performance parameter; (b) square wave converter means for converting received analog signals into corresponding square waves each having a frequency indicative of the value represented by its corresponding analog signal; (c) period detector logic means for receiving said square waves and outputting corresponding digital signals, each having a value indicative of its corresponding square wave; (d) processor means for receiving the digital signals and calculating the value of their corresponding performance parameters; and (e) display means for displaying the calculated performance parameter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 129 words
A test set for measuring and displaying performance parameters of a gas turbine engine comprising: (a) a plurality of terminal means, each adapted to receive the analog signal from a separate performance parameter sensor, each analog signal having a value representative of the value of a corresponding performance parameter; (b) square wave converter means for converting received analog signals into corresponding square waves each having a frequency indicative of the value represented by its corresponding analog signal; (c) period detector logic means for receiving said square waves and outputting corresponding digital signals, each having a value indicative of its corresponding square wave; (d) processor means for receiving the digital signals and calculating the value of their corresponding performance parameters; and (e) display means for displaying the calculated performance parameter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 25 words
The test set of claim 1 further comprising filter means for reducing distortion to said analog signals caused by electromagnetic interference with said analog signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 33 words
The test set of claim 1 further comprising operator controlled means internal to said test set for generating analog test signals to said converter means to verify proper operation of the test set.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 12 words
The test set of claim 1 further comprising an operator control panel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 30 words
The test set of claim 1 further comprising means for generating operator variable test signals to instrumentation external to said test set to verify the proper operation of said instrumentation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 19 words
The test set of claim 5 wherein said display means displays the value of said operator variable test signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 23 words
The test set of claim 1 further comprising operator controlled multi-position switch means for selecting alternate groups of said performance parameters for display.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 17 words
The test set of claim 7 wherein said performance parameters comprise gas generator speed and fan speed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 34 words
The test set of claim 8 wherein said switch means includes operator selectable positions corresponding to uncorrected gas generator speed (Ng), corrected gas generator speed (N f1 ), and fan speed (N f2 ).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 25 words
The test set of claim 9 wherein the calculated parameter value for Ng is an average of a predetermined number of separately sensed Ng values.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 27 words
The test set of claim 9 wherein the calculated parameter value for N f1 is an average of a predetermined number of separately sensed N f1 values.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 31 words
The test set of claim 9 wherein the calculated value for N f2 is an average of a plurality of separately sensed N f2 values occurring within a predetermined time period.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 64 words
The test set of claim 9 wherein said switch means further includes a Test Mode position and when therein causes an analog test signal of known value to be input to said square wave converter means whereby proper operation of the test set may be verified by determining whether the displayed speed value equals the known speed value corresponding to said analog test signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 15 words
The test set of claim 9 wherein said sense parameters further includes ambient temperature (T-AMB).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 39 words
The test set of claim 14 wherein said switch means includes an operator selectable position in which an indication is transmitted to said processor means that the sensed speed parameters are to be corrected to a standard day condition.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 39 words
The test set of claim 15 wherein the processor means in response to selection of the standard day correction position of the switch means uses T-AMB to convert received speed parameter values to corresponding standard day speed parameter values.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 29 words
The test set of claim 16 wherein the processor means uses the following stored formula to convert received speed parameter values to corresponding standard day speed parameter values: ##EQU3##
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 38 words
The test set of claim 9 further comprising a set of operator controlled thumbwheel switches for setting the amount of correction required to the sensed gas generator speed when the switch means is in the N f1 position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 28 words
The test set of claim 18 wherein the processor means uses the operator set correction to correct the sensed gas generator speed for display by said display means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 35 words
The test set of claim 1 wherein said performance parameters include engine exhaust gas temperature input to the engine fuel control (TEMP-B), engine exhaust gas temperature input to aircraft instrumentation (TEMP-A) and ambient temperature (T-AMB).
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 34 words
The test set of claim 20 wherein said converter means comprises: analog to digital converter means for converting sensed analog temperature signals into corresponding digital signals having a value indicative of the sensed temperature.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 22 words
The test set of claim 21 wherein said switch means includes operator selectable positions corresponding to TEMP-A, TEMP-B and T-AMB and TEST.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 54 words
The test set of claim 22 further comprising analog voltage source means for inputting an operator variable analog voltage to said analog to digital converter means when said switch means is in the TEST position whereby a simulated analog temperature signal may be transmitted to said processor means and displayed by said display means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 37 words
The test set of claim 23 further comprising terminal means for transmitting said operator variable analog voltage external to the test set whereby the simulated analog temperature signal may be transmitted to aircraft instrumentation for testing thereof.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 65 words
The test set of claim 21 wherein said switch means further includes a Test Mode position and when therein causes an analog test signal of known value to be input to said analog to digital converter means whereby proper operation of the test set may be verified by determining whether the displayed temperature value equals the known temperature value corresponding to said analog test signal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 38 words
The test set of claim 21 wherein said switch means includes an operator selectable position in which an indication is transmitted to said processor means that the sensed parameters are to be corrected to a standard day condition.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 40 words
The test set of claim 26 wherein the processor means in response to selection of the standard day correction position of the switch means uses the sensed T-AMB value to convert received temperature values to corresponding standard day temperature values.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 27 words
The test set of claim 27 wherein the processor means uses the following stored formula to convert received temperature parameter value to corresponding standard day values: ##EQU4##
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 28 words
The test set of claim 20 wherein the calculated parameter value for TEMP-A, TEMP-B, and T-AMB is an average of a predetermined number of separately sensed values therefor.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 18 words
The test set of claim 1 wherein said performance parameters include variable guide vane position (V g ).
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 58 words
The test set of claim 1 wherein said performance parameters include corrected gas generator speed (N f1 ), uncorrected gas generator speed (N g ), fan speed (N f2 ), exhaust gas temperature input to the fuel control (TEMP-A), exhaust gas temperature input to aircraft instrumentation (TEMP-B), ambient temperature (T-AMB), and variable guide vane position (V g ).
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 130 words
A test set for measuring and displaying performance parameters of a gas turbine engine comprising: (a) a plurality of terminal means, each adapted to receive the analog output of a separate performance parameter sensor one of said parameters comprising variable guide vane position (Vg); (b) converter means for converting received analog signals to digital signals each having a value representative of the value of a corresponding performance parameter; (c) processor means for receiving the digital signals and calculating the values of their corresponding performance parameters; (d) display means for displaying the calculated performance parameter values; and (e) voltage detector means for detecting the presence of Vg signals at said terminal means and outputting a signal to said processor means indicative of whether Vg signals are present at said terminal means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 130 words
A test set for measuring and displaying performance parameters of a gas turbine engine comprising: (a) a plurality of terminal means, each adapted to receive the analog output of a separate performance parameter sensor one of said parameters comprising variable guide vane position (Vg); (b) converter means for converting received analog signals to digital signals each having a value representative of the value of a corresponding performance parameter; (c) processor means for receiving the digital signals and calculating the values of their corresponding performance parameters; (d) display means for displaying the calculated performance parameter values; and (e) voltage detector means for detecting the presence of Vg signals at said terminal means and outputting a signal to said processor means indicative of whether Vg signals are present at said terminal means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 51 words
The test set of claim 32 wherein said processor means outputs a value which causes the display means to display a blank for the variable guide vane position when said processor means receives an indication from said voltage detector means that no V g signals are present at said terminal means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 110 words
A test set for measuring and displaying performance parameters of a gas turbine engine comprising: (a) a plurality of terminal means, each adapted to receive the analog output of a separate performance parameter sensor one of said parameters comprising variable guide vane position (Vg); (b) converter means for converting received analog signals to digital signals each having a value representative of the value of a corresponding performance parameter; (c) processor means for receiving the digital signals and calculating the values of their corresponding performance parameters; (d) display means for displaying the calculated performance parameter values; and (e) operator selectable polarity reverser means for shifting the phase of received Vg signals.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 110 words
A test set for measuring and displaying performance parameters of a gas turbine engine comprising: (a) a plurality of terminal means, each adapted to receive the analog output of a separate performance parameter sensor one of said parameters comprising variable guide vane position (Vg); (b) converter means for converting received analog signals to digital signals each having a value representative of the value of a corresponding performance parameter; (c) processor means for receiving the digital signals and calculating the values of their corresponding performance parameters; (d) display means for displaying the calculated performance parameter values; and (e) operator selectable polarity reverser means for shifting the phase of received Vg signals.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 149 words
A test set for measuring and displaying performance parameters of a gas turbine engine comprising: (a) a plurality of terminal means, each adapted to receive the analog output of a separate performance parameter sensor one of said parameters comprising variable guide vane position (Vg); (b) converter means for converting received analog signals to digital signals each having a value representative of the value of a corresponding performance parameter; (c) processor means for receiving the digital signals and calculating the values of their corresponding performance parameters; (d) display means for displaying the calculated performance parameter values; and (e) operator controlled multi-position switch means for selecting alternate groups of said performance parameters for display, said switch means including an operator selectable Vg set position which when therein causes the Vg angle represented by the setting of a plurality of operator controlled thumb wheel switches to be displayed by said display means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 149 words
A test set for measuring and displaying performance parameters of a gas turbine engine comprising: (a) a plurality of terminal means, each adapted to receive the analog output of a separate performance parameter sensor one of said parameters comprising variable guide vane position (Vg); (b) converter means for converting received analog signals to digital signals each having a value representative of the value of a corresponding performance parameter; (c) processor means for receiving the digital signals and calculating the values of their corresponding performance parameters; (d) display means for displaying the calculated performance parameter values; and (e) operator controlled multi-position switch means for selecting alternate groups of said performance parameters for display, said switch means including an operator selectable Vg set position which when therein causes the Vg angle represented by the setting of a plurality of operator controlled thumb wheel switches to be displayed by said display means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 72 words
The test set of claim 35 wherein said processor means uses the V g angle represented by the setting of said thumbwheel switches and the value of V g position signals received while said switch means is in the V g set position to compute a calibration factor to be used to compute the value of V g position signals received when said switch means is not in the V g position.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 106 words
A test set for measuring and displaying performance parameters of a gas turbine engine comprising: (a) a plurality of terminal means, each adapted to receive the analog output of a separate performance parameter sensor one of said parameters comprising variable guide vane position (Vg); (b) synchro to digital converter means for converting received variable guide vane position signals into corresponding digital signals each having a value indicative of the value of its corresponding variable guide vane position signal; (c) processor means for receiving the digital signals and calculating the values of their corresponding performance parameters; and (d) display means for displaying the calculated performance parameter values.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 106 words
A test set for measuring and displaying performance parameters of a gas turbine engine comprising: (a) a plurality of terminal means, each adapted to receive the analog output of a separate performance parameter sensor one of said parameters comprising variable guide vane position (Vg); (b) synchro to digital converter means for converting received variable guide vane position signals into corresponding digital signals each having a value indicative of the value of its corresponding variable guide vane position signal; (c) processor means for receiving the digital signals and calculating the values of their corresponding performance parameters; and (d) display means for displaying the calculated performance parameter values.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 181 words
A test set for measuring and displaying performance parameters of a gas turbine engine comprising: (a) a plurality of terminal means, each adapted to receive the analog output of a separate performance parameter, said parameters including engine exhaust gas temperature input to the engine fuel control (TEMP-B), engine exhaust gas temperature input to aircraft instrumentation (TEMP-A) and ambient temperature (T-AMB); (b) analog to digital converter means for converting sensed analog temperature signals into corresponding digital signals having a value indicative of the sensed temperature; (c) processor means for receiving the digital signals and calculating the value of the corresponding temperature parameter; (d) display means for displaying the calculated value; (e) operator controlled multi-position switch means for selecting alternate groups of said parameters for display, said switch means including operator selectable positions corresponding to TEMP-A, TEMP-B, T-AMB, and TEST; (f) analog voltage source means for inputting an operator variable voltage to said converter means when said switch means is in the TEST position whereby a simulated analog temperature signal may be transmitted to said processor means and displayed by said display means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim 181 words
A test set for measuring and displaying performance parameters of a gas turbine engine comprising: (a) a plurality of terminal means, each adapted to receive the analog output of a separate performance parameter, said parameters including engine exhaust gas temperature input to the engine fuel control (TEMP-B), engine exhaust gas temperature input to aircraft instrumentation (TEMP-A) and ambient temperature (T-AMB); (b) analog to digital converter means for converting sensed analog temperature signals into corresponding digital signals having a value indicative of the sensed temperature; (c) processor means for receiving the digital signals and calculating the value of the corresponding temperature parameter; (d) display means for displaying the calculated value; (e) operator controlled multi-position switch means for selecting alternate groups of said parameters for display, said switch means including operator selectable positions corresponding to TEMP-A, TEMP-B, T-AMB, and TEST; (f) analog voltage source means for inputting an operator variable voltage to said converter means when said switch means is in the TEST position whereby a simulated analog temperature signal may be transmitted to said processor means and displayed by said display means.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3287965A Cited
US3485093A Cited
US3750465A Cited
US3813647A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1982-06-18 1982-12-18 1983-06-19 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1986-06-18 1986-12-18 1987-06-19 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1990-06-18 1990-12-18 1991-06-19 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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