United Technologies Corporation

The Siemon Company

Other

Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation

Raytheon Technologies Corporation

Rtx Corporation

Joshua Adams

Richard P Meisner

Timothy J Crowley

Martin Richard Amari

Manuj Dhingra

Chaohong Cai

David Gelwan

Timothy J Gaudet

Mark Viklund

David Lei Ma

Sorin Bengea

Kevin Hendricks

John A Siemon

Coy Bruce Wood

James S Elder

Jesse W Clauson

Ramesh Rajagopalan

Jason B Solomonides

Scott Nagel

Danbing Seto

Olindo Savi

Michael F Cass

Andrew B Thompson

Michael H Levesque

A hybrid electric propulsion system includes a gas turbine engine having at least one compressor section and at least one turbine section operably coupled to a shaft. The hybrid electric propulsion system includes an electric motor configured to augment rotational power of the shaft of the gas turbine engine. A controller is operable to determine hybrid electric propulsion system parameters based on a composite system model and sensor data, determine a prediction based on the hybrid electric propulsion system parameters and the composite system model, determine a model predictive control optimization for a plurality of hybrid electric system control effectors based on the prediction using a plurality of reduced-order partitions of the composite system model, and actuate the hybrid electric system control effectors based on the model predictive control optimization.

Adaptive model predictive control for hybrid electric propulsion

An engine parameter estimation tuning system includes an engine parameter estimator unit and a gas path analysis (GPA) unit. The engine parameter estimator unit includes an onboard model (OBM) configured to output estimated parameters based on operation of a gas turbine engine. The gas path analysis (GPA) unit includes a performance health monitor unit configured to adjust a long-term deterioration parameter independently from adjustment of a short-term tuning parameter to tune one or more targeted estimation parameters included in the estimated engine parameter. In this manner, the engine parameter estimation tuning system can realize the different time scales associated with uncertainties in an engine and accommodate them separately so that the estimated engine parameters become much more accurate.

Tuning engine parameter estimator using gas path analysis data

A hybrid electric propulsion system includes a gas turbine engine having at least one compressor section and at least one turbine section operably coupled to a shaft. The hybrid electric propulsion system includes an electric motor configured to augment rotational power of the shaft of the gas turbine engine. A controller is operable to determine an estimate of hybrid electric propulsion system parameters based on a composite system model and sensor data, determine a model predictive control state and a prediction based on the hybrid electric propulsion system parameters and the composite system model, determine a model predictive control optimization for a plurality of hybrid electric system control effectors based on the model predictive control state and the prediction using a plurality of reduced-order partitions of the composite system model, and actuate the hybrid electric system control effectors based on the model predictive control optimization.

A system for controlling a plurality of hydraulic effectors operably connected to an engine to control engine parameters. The system also includes a plurality of sensors operably connected to measure a state or parameter of each effector, a pump configured to supply fluid to the plurality of effectors, and a controller operably connected to the plurality of sensors, the plurality of effectors, and the pump. The controller executes a method for an adaptive model-based control for controlling each effector, The method includes receiving a request indicative of a desired state for each effector, receiving a weighting associated each request, obtaining information about a current state of each effector, and updating an adaptive model based control (MBC) based upon the information. The method also includes generating a control command for an effector based upon the adaptive MBC and commanding the effector based upon the control command.

Model predictive control sub-system hydraulic flow management

A system for controlling a plurality of electromechanical effectors operably connected to an engine to control engine parameters. The system also includes a plurality of sensors operably connected to measure a state or parameter of each effector, a power supply configured to supply power to the plurality of effectors, and a controller operably connected to the plurality of sensors, the plurality of effectors, and the power supply. The controller executes a method for an adaptive model-based control for controlling each effector, The method includes receiving a request indicative of a desired state for each effector, receiving a weighting associated each request, obtaining information about a current state of each effector, and updating an adaptive model based control (MBC) based upon the information. The method also includes generating a control command for an effector based upon the adaptive MBC and commanding the effector based upon the control command.

Model predictive control sub-system power management

A system is provided for speed control during motoring of a gas turbine engine of an aircraft. The system includes an air turbine starter, a starter air valve operable to deliver compressed air to the air turbine starter, and a controller. The controller is operable to adjust the starter air valve to control motoring of the gas turbine engine based on measured feedback with lead compensation to reject disturbances attributable to dual to single or single to dual engine starting transitions.

Speed control during motoring of a gas turbine engine

A control system for a gas turbine engine, a method for controlling a gas turbine engine, and a gas turbine engine are disclosed. The control system may include a hybrid model predictive control (HMPC) module, the HMPC module receiving power goals and operability limits and determining a multi-variable control command for the gas turbine engine, the multi-variable control command determined using the power goals, the operability limits, actuator goals, sensor signals, and synthesis signals. The control system may further include system sensors for determining the sensor signals and a non-linear engine model for estimating corrected speed signals and synthesis signals using the sensor signals, the synthesis signals including an estimated stall margin remaining. The control system may further include a goal generation module for determining actuator goals for the HMPC module using the corrected speed signals and an actuator for controlling the gas turbine engine based on the multivariable control command.

Model-based optimal control for stall margin limit protection in an aircraft engine

Systems and methods for use with a variable pressure actuator control system for a gas turbine engine are provided. A variable pressure actuator control system for a gas turbine engine may comprise a controller, a pressure regulating electro-hydraulic servo valve assembly (P-EHSV), including a variable restriction flow path, in electronic communication with the controller, a position regulating electro-hydraulic servo valve assembly (X-EHSV), including a network of flow paths, in electronic communication with the controller, a bypass regulator (BPR) in fluid communication with at least one of a pump, the P-EHSV, or the X-EHSV, the BPR configured to be controlled by the P-EHSV via a bypass pressure to vary an available pressure, and an actuator comprising an actuator piston. The variable pressure actuator control system may minimize pressure when possible to increase mission capability for a gas turbine engine.

Multivariable actuator pressure control

A load power sharing control system for a twin-engine rotorcraft having a first gas turbine engine and a second gas turbine engine is provided.

Twin-engine rotorcrafts and load power sharing control systems thereof and methods for load power sharing control

A stability valve assembly includes a centrifugal pump and a valve downstream of the centrifugal pump. The valve includes a valve member that is movable along a valve axis within a valve body to control a fluid flow from the centrifugal pump. The valve member has a first orifice connecting a valve input to a valve chamber, and has at least one second orifice connecting a valve outlet to the valve chamber. A reference pressure upstream of the centrifugal pump applies pressure to a stepped portion of the valve member such that an amount of negative feedback provided by the valve assembly is proportional to a rotational speed of the centrifugal pump.

Speed-dependent stability valve

An engine air supply system includes an air source, which is a gas turbine engine in one example. A component, such as an environmental control system component, is interconnected to the air source by a conduit that includes a supply flow direction. A check valve is arranged in the conduit. The check valve includes a valve portion moveable in the supply flow direction from a closed position to an open position. The closed position is arranged at an acute angle relative to the supply flow direction. The check valve includes first and second valve portions that are hemi-elliptical in shape. The first and second valve portions are non-planar and arranged approximately 90 degrees apart when in the closed position. The first and second valve portions move toward one another from the closed position to the open position. Each of the first and second valve portions moves approximately 30-40 degrees from the open position to the closed position in response to a stall condition, which significantly reduces the response time and forces generated by the first and second valve portions when closing.

Fast acting aircraft engine bleed air check valve

A skateboard-like personal vehicle comprises a platform, a pair of steerable front wheels controlled by an upright steering lever movable left or right about a longitudinal pivot axis by one hand of the rider, a pair of rear wheels, one of which is driven by a reciprocable foot pedal, and an upright post which can be gripped by the rider's other hand.

Personal vehicle

A method for predicting athletic performance for a subject, the method comprising: obtaining first heart rate data for varying speed, constant incline running; obtaining second heart rate data for varying incline, constant speed running; determining a first power per change in speed at the constant incline; determining a second power per change in incline at the constant speed incline; predicting athletic performance in response to the first power and the second power.

Method, system and computer program product for performance monitoring and planning

An enhanced performance modular plug with a two piece housing is provided. The plug comprises a plurality of contact members each having an insulation displacement contact (IDC) end and a distal end. A first housing portion includes a plurality of slots for receiving the distal end of the plurality of contact members, a first latching assembly for mating the plug with a telecommunications outlet, and a second latching assembly. A second housing portion includes a first end for receiving the second latching assembly and a second end for receiving a cable, the first end having a plurality of channels for receiving a plurality of wires disposed in the cable.

Growing community of inventors

New Hartford, CT, United States of America

Joshua Adams