Method And Device For Generating A Control Of A Flow Of Fuel Intended To Be Injected Into A Combustion Chamber Of A Turbomachine
Abstract:
The method according to the invention comprises, during a phase (EO) of starting up the turbomachine :— a step (E10) of open-loop génération of a control (WF_OL) of the flow of fuel based on at least one pre-established law; and — a step (E20-E30) of closed-loop monitoring of at least one operating parameter of the turbomachine selected from: an accélération rate
(dN2/dt) of a compressor of the turbomachine, and an output température (EGT) of a turbine of the turbomachine, this monitoring
step comprising keeping (E30) the operating parameter within a range of predefined values, using at least one corrective network
(RI, R2, R3) associated with this parameter and capable of providing a correction signal correcting the fuel flow control generated in
an open loop manner, making it possible to keep the operating parameter within the range of predefined values.
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Notices, Deadlines & Correspondence
2 Boulevard du Général Martial Valin
F 75015 Paris
Inventors
1. DJELASSI Cedrik
c/o Snecma PI (AJI)
Rond point René Ravaud Réau
F 77550 Moissy Cramayel Cedex
Specification
METHOD AND A DEVICE FOR GENERATING A CONTROL OF A FLOW OF
FUEL INTENDED TO BE INJECTED INTO A COMBUSTION CHAMBER OF
A TURBO MACHINE^
Background of the invention
The present invention relates to the general field
of turbine engines, and it applies in preferred manner to
the field of aviation.
The invention relates more particularly to
regulating the flow rate of fuel for a turbine engine of
an aircraft, such as a turbojet, for example, during a
stage of starting the aircraft.
In known manner, the flow rate of fuel for a
turbojet is regulated by generating appropriate fuel flow
rate commands for the purpose of ensuring that the mass
flow rate of fuel injected into the combustion chamber of
the turbojet does not exceed a certain (lower or upper)
limit beyond which a malfunction of the turbojet may be
encountered, such as for example shutdown or surging of a
compressor of the turbojet.
Such regulation is conventional.ly performed in an
open-loop using fuel flow rate commands generated on the
basis of a relationship, or more precisely on the basis
of a network of pre-established relationships, giving the
flow rate of fuel to be injected into the combustion
chamber for various different reduced (normalized) speed
values of a compressor of the turbojet (e.g. a highpressure
compressor for a two-spool turbojet).
In general, two distinct groups of networks of preestablished
relationships are taken into consideration:
a first group of relationship networks for
ensuring ignition in the combustion chambgr, and
providing a fuel flow rate command written WMCmd as a
function of at least the reduced speed of the compressor
which is written XNr, in other words:
WFCmd = f (XNr); and
I Translation of the title as established ex oflcio.
a second group of relationship networks, also
known as C/P limits (referring to the ratio of the flow
rate C of fuel injected into the combustion chamber
divided by the static pressure P measured at the outlet
5 from the combustion chamber), specifying the fuel flow
rate for managing the turbojet spin-up stage until it
reaches idling speed. In known manner, one such limit
may be written in particular in the following form:
10 where WF is the fuel flow rate, PS is the static pressure
in the combustion chamber, T is the total temperature at
the inlet to the high-pressure compressor, XNr is the
reduced speed of the high-pressure spool, and PT is the
total pressure at the inlet to the fan.
15 These various relationship networks are drawn up so
as to take account of the specific features of the
turbojet and also its sensitivity to various parameters,
such as, for example: outside temperature, flight domain,
etc.
2 0 Presently-designed turbojets present ever increasing
performance, and their components (compressor, turbine,
etc.) are optimized for operating at high speed, to the
detriment of l~ow speeds, and in particular durinrj the
starting stage.
2 5 This leads to modern turbojets being very sensitive
to external conditions (e.g. thermal state of the
turbojet, outside temperature, accuracy with which fuel
is metered, type of fuel injected, outside temperature,
aging of the jet, etc.), and it also leads to wide
30 dispersion in behavior between turbojets.
The operability limits of turbojets that are taken
into account during open-loop regulation are thus subject
to a large degree of variability from one turbojet to
another, which is difficult to predict.
Furthermore, the very great sensitivity of such
turbojets to numerous parameters makes it laborious, if
not impossible, to adjust the above-mentioned command
relationships.
5 It should be observed that for a turbojet having a
high-pressure compressor with a compression ratio that is
high relative to the number of stages in the compressor,
this very great sensitivity also leads to the existence
of a relatively narrow corridor between the surging limit
10 and the stagnation limit.
There therefore exists a need for a mechanism for
regulating the flow rate of fuel for a turbine engine
that is effective and appropriate for the starting stage,
which mechanism takes account of the above-mentioned
15 constraints that are imposed by the turbine engines being
designed nowadays.
Object and summary of the invention
The present invention satisfies this need in
20 particular by proposing a method of generating a command
of a fuel flow rate to be injected into a combustion
chamber of a turbine engine for propelling an aircraft,
the method being for use during a stage of starting the
turbine engine, and comprising:
25 an open-loop generating step of generating a fuel
flow rate command from at least one pre-established
relationship; and
a closed-loop monitoring step of monitoring at
least one operating parameter of the turbine engine
30 selected from:
a rate of acceleration of a cqmpressor of the
turbine engine; and
a temperature at the outlet from a turbine of
the turbine engine;
35 this monitoring step comprising maintaining the
operating parameter in a determined range of values by
using at least one corrector network associated with the
parameter and suitable for delivering a signal for
correc-tj.ng the open-loop generated fuel flow rate command
soas to maintain the operating parameter in the
determined range of values.
5 Correspondingly, the invention also provides a
device for generating a command of a fuel flow rate to be
injected into a combustion chamber of a turbine engine
for propelling an aircraft, the device comprising means
that are activated during a stage of starting the turbine
10 engine and that comprise:
a generator module for open-loop generation of a
command of the fuel flow rate from at least one preestablished
relationship; and
a monitoring module for closed-loop monitoring of
15 at least one operating parameter of the turbine engine
selected from:
a rate of acceleration of a compressor of the
turbine engine; and
a temperature at the outlet from a turbine of
20 the turbine engine;
the monitoring module being suitable for maintaining
the operating parameter in a determined range of values,
and comprising at least one corrector network associated
with that parameter and suitable for delivering a
25 correction signal for correcting the open-loop generated
fuel flow rate command so as to enable the operating
parameter to be maintained in the determined range of
values, and correction means that are activated, where
appropriate, for correcting the fuel flow rate command
30 generated by the generator module by using the correction
signal delivered by the corrector network.,
The invention thus proposes introducing closed-loop
regulation of the fuel flow rate that is to be injected
into the combustion chamber of the turbine engine,
35 thereby enabling certain suitably selected operating
parameters of the turbine engine to be contained within a
determined range of values so as to keep the turbine
engine within conditions of operability.
Such operating parameters are typically the rate of
acceleration of a compressor of the turbine engine and
the temperature at the outlet from the -turbine of the
turbine engine.
The i-nvention thus defines a'control corridor (or in
equivalent manner a range of values that are authorized)
around the regulation relationship that is conventionally
used in an open-loop: so long as the operating parameters
of the turbine engine continue to have current values
that are contained within the corridor, then the fuel
flow rate is regulated by commands generated on the basis
of conventional control relationships for open-loop
regulation of the fuel flow rate. In contrast, once the
current value of any one of the operating parameters
leaves or is likely to leave the corridor, a control-loop
is implemented in accordance with the invention in order
to correct (i.e. adjust) the fuel flow rate as
established from such conventional open-loop control
relationships, so that, where necessary, these values for
the operating parameters are returned to and maintain
within the control corridor.
In accordance with the invention, the closed-loop
regulation of the fuel flow rate that is used is thus not
a full authority regulation-loop: it comes into operation
only when certain operating parameters of the turbine
engine cross or are about to cross pre-established
setpoint values that are deduced from the operability
limits of the turbine engine.
For this purpose, the closed-loop regulation
proposed by the invention relies advantageously on
corrector networks associated with the operating
parameter(s) that are being monitored, and more precisely
on correction signals that those corrector networks
deliver, when necessary, for the purpose of enabling
operating parameters to be maintainedwithin the intended
control corridor. The correction signals are applied to
the open-loop generated command so that the command as
corrected in this way serves to maintain the operating
values within the range of values defining the control
5 corridor.
Consequently, the invention is particularly original
in that for the purpose of regulating the flow rate of
fuel injected into the combustion chamber of the turbine
engine it proposes relying on a main control that is
10 open-loop generated, and that is adjusted, if necessary,
by means of a closed-loop relying on corrector networks
suitable for ensuring that the rate of acceleration of
the compressor and/or the temperature at the outlet from
the turbine are contained within a range of predetermined
15 values so as to guarantee operability of the turbine
engine.
In other words, the invention is relatively easy to
implement. It does not require knowledge of how the
operating parameters vary as a function of the injected
20 fuel flow rate, but only requires control templates to be
defined for these operating parameters, i.e. ranges of
values within which these operating parameters ought to
lie, which is particularly simple to undertake.
Consequently, the invention can be incorporated very
25 easily in existing control architectures that are based
on open-loop regulation of the fuel flow rate.
The invention makes it possible to benefit from
advantages that result from closed-loop regulation of the
fuel flow rate (i.e. effectiveness, better accuracy),
30 while guaranteeing simplicity and ease of implementation.
These operating parameters that are t,aken into
consideration for closed-loop regulation as proposed by
the invention comprise in particular a rate of
acceleration of a compressor of the turbine engine (e.g. '
35 the high-pressure compressor in a two-spool turbine
engine), and a temperature at the outlet from the turbine
of the turbine engine, also known as the exhaust gas
temperature (EGT) .
In known manner, such operating parameters are
already measured by using sensors of the aircraft or of
the turbine engine, or in a variant they are evaluated on
the basis of measurements coming from such sensors, and
they participate in the monitoring and control of the
turbine engine as performed by the full authority digital
engine control (FADEC) system of the aircraft. There is
therefore no need to include new sensors on board the
aircraft or the turbine engine in order to implement the
invention.
Monitoring the ra-te of acceleration makes it
possible advantageously to detect stagnation or surging
of the turbine engine.
Thus, during the monitoring step, the rate of
acceleration of the compressor of the turbine engine is
preferably maintained between a minimum acceleration
setpoint value (in order to avoid a risk of stagnation)
and a maximum acceleration setpoint value (in order to
avoid a risk of surging) by using two distinct corrector
networks.
Monitoring the temperature at the outlet from the
turbine serves to detect behavior of the turbine engine
that runs the risk of requiring starting to be
interrupted.
In order to avoid such interruption, during the
monitoring step, the temperature at the outlet from the
turbine of the turbine engine is preferably maintained
below a maximum temperature setpoint value.
Naturally, the invention is not limiGed to the
above-mentioned operating parameters, namely the rate of
acceleration and the temperature at the outlet from the
turbine, and it is also possible to envisage monitoring
other operating parameters in addition to the abovementioned
parameters that have an impact on the behavior
of the turbine engine on starting, such as for example
the pressure in the combustion chamber.
In a particular implementation, both the rate of
acceleration of the compressor and the temperature at the
outlet from the turbine are monitored, and the monitoring
step includes selecting one of the signals from among the
correction signals generated by the corrector networks
associated with the rate of acceleration of the
compressor and with the temperature at the outlet from
the turbine, the selected signal being used for
correcting the open-loop generated fuel flow rate
command.
Correspondingly, in a particular embodiment, the
monitoring module comprises a plurality of corrector
networks and the means for selecting one of the
correction signals from among the correction signals
delivered by the corrector networks, the selected signal
being delivered to the correction means for correcting
the fuel flow rate command as generated in an open-loop
by the generator module.
It should be observed that, at any given instant,
the corrector networks do not necessarily all provide a
respective correction signal (i.e. the corrector networks
do not need to be activated continuously). This depends
in particular on the current value of the operating
parameter being monitored by each corrector network,
which value may lie in a range of values that are
acceptable (i.e. "valid" or "authorized") for that
parameter and that enable the turbine engine to operate,
such that properly speaking there is no need for any
correction to the open-loop generated fuel? flow rate
command.
The selection that is performed during the
monitoring step, where appropriate, serves to organize
the correction signals delivered by the various corrector
networks in hierarchical manner, in particular so as to
limit any divergencies that might appear between the
correction signals.
By way of example, such selection may be performed
by a succession of components suitable for selecting the
minimum value or the maximum value from among the signals
present at their inputs, and suitably arranged between
the outputs of the corrector networks.
By way of illustration, in certain situations, it
can happen that the temperature at the outlet from the
turbine and the rate of acceleration of the compressor
both depart from their respective control corridors. In
particular, it can happen that the rate of acceleration
of the compressor approaches a minimum setpoint value
representative of abnormal stagnation of the turbine
engine, while the temperature at the outlet from the
turbine begins to exceed a maximum setpoint value.
In such a situation, it is necessary to select the
most appropriate correction signal from among the
correction signals delivered by the corrector networks.
For this purpose, it is preferable to give
precedence to high setpoints, i.e. the selected
correction signal is the correction signal that is
generated by the corrector network that is associated
with the temperature at the outlet from the turbine, and
that delivers a correction signal enabling the value of
the temperature at the outlet from the turbine to be kept
below a maximum setpoint value.
This ensures that the turbine engine is not damaged
irremediably as a result of overheating, which can be
fatal.
In a particular implementation, each,corrector
network is of the proportional integral type (e.g. class
1 proportional integral PI, or proportional double
integral PI-I), and is suitable for delivering a
correction signal for correcting the fuel flow rate
command, which correction signal is evaluated from a
difference between a current value of the operating
parameter with which it is associated and a determined
setpoint value.
This implementation is relatively easy to perform by
adjusting parameters of each corrector network (e.g.
gain, activation of the network, etc.). Thus, the gain
of each network may depend in particular on a static
pressure in the combustion chamber and on a total
pressure at the inlet of a fan of the turbine engine.
In a preferred implementation, the regulator means
comprise a corrector network for each monitored parameter
and for each setpoint value established for that
parameter.
Thus, by way of illustration, if the operating
parameters taken into consideration are the rate of
acceleration of a compressor of the turbine engine and
the temperature EGT, and if the monitoring module of the
device is configured to maintain the rate of acceleration
of the compressor between a minimum acceleration setpoint
value and a maximum acceleration setpoint value, and to
keep the temperature EGT below a maximum temperature
setpoint value, then the generator device of the
invention may have three corrector networks.
When the regulator device has a plurality of
corrector networks, the corrector networks may
advantageously share a common integrator, preferably a
saturated integrator.
By way of example, this saturation of the common
integrator can be performed as a function of the openloop
generated fuel flow rate command.
This makes it possible to reduce the compl'exity and
the cost associated with implementing the,invention.
Saturation of the common integrator also makes it
possible to limit the correction signals delivered by the
corrector networks.
The common integrator may also be used by the openloop
so as to limit discontinuities that might appear
between fuel flow rate commands.
Correspondingly, in a particular implementation, the
method of generation further includes a saturating step
for saturating the open-loop generated command or the
open-loop generated command as corrected using the
5 correction signal, which saturation depends on the
nominal relationship.
By way of example, this saturation is defined from a
determined percentage of the nominal relationship.
This saturation step serves to limit the fuel flow
10 rate commands used for regulating the turbine engine on
starting.
This saturation step may be envisaged in par~icuiar
when it is desired to limit the flow rate of fuel
injected into the combustion chamber, e.g. in order to
15 remain within fuel injection limits specified by the
metering device of the turbine engine.
This saturation step also makes it possibleto
guarantee that the commands used for regulating the
turbine engine in fuel flow rate are not divergent or
20 aberrant, in particular in the event of a failure of the
turbine engine.
Regardless of whether the open-loop generated
command is subjected to an adjustment step, this
saturation step may force the open-loop generated command
25 to take one or the other of a first limit value and a
second limit value corresponding respectively to a
minimum percentage and to a maximum percentage of the
open-loop generated command that has not been subjected
to said adjustment step, whenever the current value of
30 the open-loop generated command is respectively less than
the first limit value or greater than the,second limit
value.
In a particular implementation, the various steps of
the generator method are determined by computer program
35 instructions.
Consequently, the invention also provides a computer
program on a data medium, the program being suitable for
being implemented in a generator device or more generally
in a computer, the program including instructions adapted
for performing steps of a method of generation as defined
above.
The program may use any programming language, and be
in the form of source code, object code, or code
intermediate between source code and object code, such as
in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable
form.
The invention also provides a computer readable data
medium that includes instructions of a computer program
as mentioned above.
The data medium may be any entity or device capable
of storing the program. For example, the medium may
comprise storage means such as a read only memory (ROM),
e.g. a compact disk (CD) ROM or a microelectronic circuit
ROM, or indeed magnetic recording means, such as a floppy
disk or a hard disk.
Furthermore, the data medium may be a transmissible
medium such as an electrical or optical signal, suitable
for being conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by
radio, or by other means. The program of the invention
may in particular be downloaded from an Internet type
network.
Alternatively, the data medium may be an integrated
circuit in which the program is incorporated, the circuit
being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution
of the method in question.
The invention also provides a turbine engine
including a generator device of the invention.
The generator device is preferably iqcorporated in
the full authority control system of the aircraft.
The turbine engine of the invention benefits from
the same advantages as those mentioned above for the
method of generation and the generator device.
In other implementations or embodiments, it is also
possible to envisage that the method of generation, the
generator device, and the turbine engine of the invention
present in combination all or some of the above-mentioned
characteristics.
5 Brief description of the drawings
Other characteristics and advantages of the present
invention appear from the following description made with
reference to the accompanying drawings, which show an
implementation having no limiting character. In the
10 figures:
Figure 1 shows a turbine engine and a generator
device in accordance with the invention, in a parLicular
embodiment;
Figure 2 is a diagram representing the hardware
15 architecture of the generator device of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is in the form of a flow chart showing
the main steps of the method of generation implemented by
the generator device of Figure 1;
Figure 4 shows control architecture that can be
20 used by the Figure 1 generator device for implementing
the steps shown in Figure 3; and
Figures 5A and 5B represent examples of corrector
networks that can be used in the generator device.
25 Detailed description of the invention
Figure 1 is a diagram showing a turbine engine 1 in
accordance with the invention in its environment, in a
particular embodiment.
In this embodiment, the turbine engine 1 is a bypass
30 two-spool turbojet for propelling an airplane.
Nevertheless, the invention applies to otQer turbine
engines such as, for example: a single-spool turbojet or
a turboprop, and also to other types of aircraft.
In known manner, the turbojet 1 has a fuel metering
35 device, also called a fuel meter, that is suitable for
adjusting the quantity of fuel coming from the fuel
circuit of the airplane and delivered by the fuel
injector system of the combustion chamber of the
turbojet. The fuel injector, the fuel circuit, and the
fuel injector system of the combustion chamber of the
turbojet 1 are omitted in Figure 1 for simplification
purposes.
In this example, the fuel meter of the turbojet 1
has a fuel metering valve (FMV) of position that varies
as a function of the fuel flow rate to be injected into
the combustion chamber. The fuel flow rate to be
injected into the combustion chamber is transmitted to
the fuel meter in the form of a command WFCmd, via a
servo-control-loop.
This fuel flow rate command WFCmd is established by
a generator device 2 in accordance with the invention,
which device is incorporated in the presently-described
embodiment in the FADEC system 3 of the airplane.
In order to establish this command, the regulator
device 2 relies on two main functional entities:
a generator module 2A suitable for operating in an
open-loop to generate a fuel flow rate command WF OL on
the basis of a relationship or a network of regulation
relationships pre-established as a function of the
current reduced speed of rotation of the turbojet 1; and
a monitor module 2B suitable for operating in a
closed-loop to monitor operating parameters of the
turbojet 1, and for acting via said closed-loop to
maintain these operating parameters within a
predetermined range of values by means of various
corrector networks referenced R1, R2, and R3. These
corrector networks are suitable, where appropriate, for
delivering correction signals that enable,the monitor
module 2B to modulate (i.e. adjust or correct) the
command WE - OL as generated by the module 2A, so that the
current values of the operating parameters of the
turbojet that result from the metering device applying
the command as adjusted remains contained within the
above-specified range of values.
In the presently-described example, provision is
made for the module 2B to use the corrector networks Rl,
R2, and R3 to monitor two operating parameters of the
turbojet 1, namely:
the rate of acceleration, written (dN2/dt), of the
high-pressure compressor of the turbojet 1, which rate is
obtained by taking the time derivative of the speed of
rotation N2 of the high-pressure compressor; and
the exhaust gas temperature, written EGT, at the
outlet from the turbine of the turbojet 1.
Nevertheless, no limit is put on the number of
operating parameters of the turbojet that may be
monitored in accordance with the invention, and in other
implementations, it is possible to envisage monitoring
only the rate of acceleration of a compressor of the
turbojet 1, or in a variant monitoring other operating
parameters in addition to the rate of acceleration of the
compressor of the turbojet and/or the gas temperature at
the outlet from the turbojet turbine.
In the presently-described implementation, the
above-described functional modules 2A and 2B are software
modules implemented by the generator device 2 in the
context of the logic applied by the FADEC 3 to regulating
the turbojet I.
For this purpose, the generator device 2 possesses
the hardware architecture of a computer, as shown
diagrammatically in Figure 2. In particular, it
comprises a processor 4, a random access memory (RAM) 5,
a ROM 6, a non-volatile flash memory 7, and communication
means 8, possibly shared with other regulator units of
the FADEC 3. I
The communication means 8 comprise means for
communicating with various sensors 9 of the airplane, and
suitable for providing the generator device 2 with
measurements of the current values for the speed of
rotation N2 of the high-pressure compressor of the
turbojet 1, of the temperature EGT of the gas at the
outlet from the turbine of the turbojet 1, and also of
the static pressure PS32 in the combustion chamber and
the total pressure Pt at the inlet to the fan of the
turbojet 1.
By way of example, the sensors 9 may comprise a
speed sensor, a temperature sensor, and pressure sensors
positioned so as to measure the parameters N2, EGT, PS32,
and Pt, in conventional manner.
The measurements delivered by these sensors 9 enable
the generator device 2 specifically to estimate a current
value for the rate of acceleration (dN2/dt), in
conventional manner, by differentiating the speed of
rotation N2, and to monitor the parameters (dN2/dt) and
EGT in accordance with the invention.
The ROM 6 of the generator device 2 constitutes a
data medium in accordance with the invention that is
readable by the processor 4 and that stores a computer
program in accordance with the invention, including
instructions for executing steps of a method of
generation in accordance with the invention and as
described below with reference to Figure 3.
Figure 3 is a flow chart showing the main steps of
the method of generation of the invention in a particular
implementation in which it is performed by the generator
device 2 of Figure 1 for the purpose of regulating the
fuel flow rate of the turbojet 1.
Such a method applies in preferred manner during a
stage of starting the turbojet 1.
It is assumed in this example that the turbojet 1 is
in a starting stage (step EO). This starting stage
results from a specific command being appl,ied to the
turbojet 1, and it can easily be detected in conventional
manner.
It should be observed that the invention applies to
any type of starting of the turbojet 1: it may be
starting the turbojet 1 on the ground after it has been
shut down for a long period, or equally well restarting
in flight, or to reigniting the turbojet 1 after a flameout
of short duration.
In accordance with the invention, the generator
device 2 of the FADEC 3 acts during this starting stage
5 of the turbojet 1 to perform "main" regulation of the
fuel flow rate to be injected into the combustion chamber
of the turbojet 1 in an open-loop and using the module 2A
(step E10).
More specifically, during this step E10, the module
10 2A generates a fuel flow rate command WF-OL on the basis
of a relationship or of a network of pre-established
relationships LN. This network of relationships
establishes a command (i.e. a value) for the fuel flow
rate to be sent to the fuel meter of the turbojet 1,
15 which command is established as a function of the reduced
speed of rotation of the turbojet 1.
Such a network of relationships is itself known and
has already been described. It applies in particular
both to a first relationship for ensuring ignition of the
20 combustion chamber, and delivering a fuel flow rate
command as a function of the reduced speed of the
compressor, and also to a C/P second limit for managing
the spin-up stage of the turbojet up to idling speed.
The way in which such command relationships are prepared
25 and taken into account is known to the person skilled in
the art and is not described further herein.
In the prior art, the command WF - OL is to be
delivered to the fuel meter of the turbojet 1 directly.
In contrast, in accordance with the invention, in
30 parallel with this open-loop regulation implemented using
the command WF - OL, the generator device 2 ,uses the module
2B to monitor the current values of the rate of
acceleration (dN2/dt) of the high-pressure compressor of
the turbojet 1 and of the temperature EGT at the outlet
35 from the turbine (step E20).
These current values are the values of the rate of
acceleration dN2/dt and of the temperature EGT that
results from the fuel flow rate regulation performed by
the FADEC on the basis of the command WF - OL generated by
the module 2A without correction, at least while the
method is starting.
These current values are obtained by the module 2B
from measurements taken by the speed and temperature
sensors 9 of the airplane, e.g. periodically, giving
current values for the speed of rotation N2 of the highpressure
spool and for the temperature EGT at the outlet
from the turbine. Thereafter, the module 2B
differentiates the current measurement of the speed N2
relative to time in order to estimate a current value of
the rate of acceleration dN2/dt.
In accordance with the invention, these current
values for the rate of acceleration dN2/dt and for the
temperature EGT are monitored by the module 2B, i.e. they
are analyzed, and where appropriate they are processed.
More specifically, during the monitoring step E20,
the module 2B acts via a closed-loop making use of the
corrector networks R1, R2, and R3 with suitable
parameters and interconnected with one another to
maintain the current values of the rate of acceleration
dN2/dt and of the temperature EGT within determined
ranges of values (also referred to in the present
description as the "control corridor").
These values are maintained by using correction
signals delivered by the corrector networks R1, R2, and
R3, which signals are used by the monitoring module 2B to
adjust (i.e. to correct or to modulate) the command WL OL
as generated by the module 2A (step E30).
It should be observed that the commaqd WL - OL is not
adjusted all the time (which is why this is drawn in
dashed lines in Figure 3): such adjustment is undertaken
only when it is found to be necessary in order to
maintain the rate of acceleration dN2/dt and the
temperature EGT within the ranges of values that have
been set in order to ensure operability of the turbojet
1.
In other words, the closed-loop put into place by
the monitoring module 2B is not a full authority closedloop:
the main command for regulating the fuel meter is
the command WF - OL delivered by the module 2A, which
command is modulated in ancillary manner by the
monitoring module 2B in order to maintain the values of
the monitored operating parameters within the desired
ranges of values.
In the presently-described embodiment, the ranges of
values under consideration for the rate of acceleration
(dN2/dt) and for the temperature EGT are defined as
described below.
The range of values under consideration for the rate
of acceleration is defined by a minimum setpoint value
THRl that is set (e.g. by the service in charge of the
operability of the turbojet 1) so as to avoid the
turbojet 1 stagnating (i.e. the setpoint THRl represents
a value for the rate of acceleration below which the
turbojet 1 is considered to be abnormally stagnant), and
by a maximum setpoint value THR2 that represents a value
for the rate of acceleration above which it is considered
that the turbojet 1 is accelerating too fast and runs the
risk of the turbojet surging.
It should be observed that the surging limit of the
turbojet is difficult to transpose into a maximum
setpoint value for the rate of acceleration, such that in
the presently-described implementation, this maximum
setpoint value THR2 is determined by training. For this
purpose, a surging detector is used that qtores each
surging event of the turbojet 1 together with the
conditions under which such surging takes place, and for
each event that is detected in this way it updates the
threshold value THR2 as a function of the corresponding
conditions. Such a mechanism for determining the
threshold value THR2 is described in greater detail in as
yet unpublished French patent application No. 11/51778.
The range of values under consideration for the
temperature EGT is defined by an upper limit only, i.e.
5 by a maximum temperature setpoint value THR3. This
setpoint value is determined for example by the service
in charge of the operability of the turbojet 1 so as to
limit any risk of forced interruption of the turbojet 1
as a result of a temperature that is too high.
10 As described above, in the presently-described
embodiment, the command WF - OL is adjusted by the
monitoring module 2B on the basis of correction signals
delivered by the corrector networks Rl, R2, and R3, which
networks are of the proportional integral (PI) type or of
15 the proportional double integral (PI-I) type (referred to
more generally in the present description as corrector
networks of the proportional integral type).
More specifically, the corrector network R1 in this
example is for correcting the command WE - OL for fuel flow
20 rate in such a manner as to maintain the current value of
the rate of acceleration of the high-pressure compressor
above the minimum setpoint value THR1, below which there
is a risk of the turbojet 1 stagnating.
To this end, the corrector network R1 is suitable
25 for delivering a correction signal referenced SIGl that
is to be added to the command WL - OL.
In the present example, the corrector network R1 is
a proportional double integral network (or PI-I
integrator) having the transfer function Cl(p), where -p
30 is the Laplace variable, as follows:
where K1 and ~1 are respective parameters of the
corrector network R1. These parameters K1 and ~1 of the
corrector network R1 depend on the state of the turbojet
35 1; more particularly, in this example, the gain K1
depends on the static pressure PS32 in the combustion
chamber of the turbojet and on the total pressure Pt at
the inlet to the fan of the turbine engine, whereas the
parameter zl is set as a function of the inertia of the
turbojet 1 in response to a flow rate of fuel injected
into the combustion chamber. The current values for the
pressures PS32 and Pt are delivered to the corrector
network R1 by the sensors 9.
The correction signal SIGl is obtained by applying
the transfer signal Cl(p) to an error signal, written 61,
between the minimum setpoint value THRl and the current
value of dN2/dt, in other words:
61 = THRl - (dN2/dt)
Naturally, other parameters may be taken into
account for setting K1 and 71.
Thus, the corrector network R1 causes an error
signal 61 between the current value of the rate of
acceleration and its minimum setpoint THR1, to correspond
to a fuel flow rate increment SIGl for causing this error
61 to disappear, in other words for enabling the rate of
acceleration of the high-pressure compressor of the
turbojet 1 to return to a "normal" value (i.e. within the
limits of the control corridor that has been set for the
turbojet) .
In similar manner, the corrector network R2 in this
example is for correcting the fuel flow rate command
WF - OL so as to maintain the current value of the rate of
acceleration of the high-pressure compressor below the
maximum setpoint value THR2, above which there exists a
risk of the turbojet 1 surging.
For this purpose, the corrector netwqrk R2 is
suitable for delivering a correction signal written SIG2
for adding to the command WL - OL.
In the presently-described example, the corrector
network R2 is also a proportional double integral (PI-I)
network having its transfer function C2(p) given by:
where K2 and 22 are respective parameters of the
corrector network R2. These parameters K2 and 22 of the
corrector network R2 depend on the state of the turbojet
1; more particularly in this example, the gain K2 depends
on the static pressure PS32 and on the total pressure Pt
at the inlet to the fan of the turbine engine, while 22
is set as a function of the inertia of the turbojet 1 in
response to a flow rate of fuel injected into its
combustion chamber.
The correction signal SIG2 is obtained by applying
the transfer function C2(p) to an error signal written 62
between the maximum setpoint value THR2 and the current
value of dN2/dt, in other words:
62 = THR2 - (dN2/dt)
Naturally, other parameters could be taken into
account for setting K2 and 22
Thus, the corrector network R2 causes an error
signal 62 between a current value of the rate of
acceleration and its maximum setpoint THR2 to correspond
to a fuel flow rate increment SIG2 for causing the error
62 to disappear, in other words for enabling the rate of
acceleration of the high-pressure compressor of [.he
turbojet 1 to return to a "normal" value (i.e. a value
within the limits of the control corridor that has been
set for the turbojet) .
Finally, the corrector network R3 in this example is
for correcting the fuel flow rate command WF - OL so as to
maintain the current value of the temperature EGT below
the maximum temperature setpoint value THR3, above which
there exists a non-negligible risk of it being necessary
to interrupt starting of the turbojet 1.
For this purpose, the corrector network R3 is
suitable for delivering a correction signal written SIG3
that is to be added to the command WL - OL.
In the presently-described example, the corrector
network R3 is likewise a proportional integral network
where K3 and 23 designate respective parameters of the
corrector network R3. These parameters K3 and 23 of the
corrector network R3 depend on the state of the turbojet
1; more particularly in this example, the gain K3 depends
on the static pressure PS32 and on the total pressure Pt
at the inlet to t.he fan of the turbine engine, while 23
is set as a function of the inertia of the turbojet 1 in
response to a fuel flow rate injected into its combustion
chamber.
The correction signal SIG3 is obtained by applying
the transfer function C3(p) to an error signal written 63
between the maximum setpoint value THR3 and the current
value EGT, in other words:
A3 = THR3 - EGT
Naturally, other parameters may be taken into
account for setting K3 and 23.
Thus, the corrector network R3 causes an error
signal 63 between the current value of the temperature
EGT and its maximum setpoint THR3 to correspond lLo a fuel
flow rate increment SIG3 that is to cause the error 63
to disappear, in other words that is to enable the
temperature EGT of the turbojet 1 to be maintained at a
value that is "normal" (i.e. within the limits of the
control corridor that has been set for that value).
In the presently-described implementation, the
monitor module 2B establishes a hierarchy'between the
correction signals SIG1, SIG2, and SIG3 delivered by the
corrector networks R1, R2, and R3. In other words, at
any given instant, it selects the correction signal from
among the correction signals SIG1, SIG2, and SIG3 that is
to be used for adjusting the command WF - OL.
In this example, this selection is performed by a
chain of functions of the min/max type (i.e. minimum or
maximum types), which functions are applied to the output
of the corrector networks in pairs. An example of such
functions is described in greater detail below with
reference to Figure 4.
These functions serve to give precedence to one
correction signal relative to another in order to adjust
the command WF - OL. Preferably, precedence is given to
the monitored operating parameters that comply with high
setpoints, i.e. that comply with the setpoints THR2 and
THR3. In other words, this means that if both a
correction signal SIGl is delivered by the corrector
network Rl and a correction signal SIG3 is delivered by
the corrector network R3, then precedence is given to
selecting the correction signal SIG3 for adjusting the
command WF- O L.
The fuel flow rate command that results from the
adjustment step E30 is written WFCmd whether or not there
is any adjustment (WFCmd=WF- O L if no adjustment is
needed) .
In the presently-described implementation, the
generator device 2 performs a step of saturating the
command WFCmd prior to delivering it to the fuel meter.
This saturation depends on the command WF - OL established
by the module 2A, and it is established by applying
respective gains Gmin and Gmax to the command WF - OL (step
E40).
This saturation seeks to ensure that the command
WFCmd does indeed lie between two limit values derived
from the command WE - OL (these limit valueg corresponding
for example to a percentage of the command WE - OL as
defined by the gains Gmin and Gmax).
For this purpose, the command WFCmd is saturated
where appropriate to GminxWF - OL or to GmaxxWF - OL as a
function of its current value, i.e. if the command WFCmd
is less than GminxWF - OL, its value is forced to
GminxWF - OL; on the contrary, if the command WFCmd is
greater than GmaxxWF - OL, then its value is forced to the
value GmaxxWE - OL.
This serves to ensure in particular that no command
having an aberrant (or "outlier") value is transmittedto
the fuel meter (which might happen for example if the
turbojet 1 has failed), or quite simply to confine the
command that is transmitted to the fuel meter to within a
determined range of values, e.g. corresponding to the
fuel injection limits specified by the fuel meter.
Where applicable, the saturated command WFCmd is
then delivered to the fuel meter (step E50).
There follows a more detailed description given with
reference to Figure 4 of the control architecture
implemented in the presently-described embodiment by the
monitoring module 2B for maintaining the current values
of the rate of acceleration (dN2/dt) and ofthe
temperature EGT in the above-mentioned value ranges.
This control architecture serves to perform steps
E20, E30, and E40 as described above, which consist in
monitoring the operating parameters of the turbojet 1, in
adjusting the command WF - OL as generated in an open-loop
by the module 2A, and in saturating the command WFCmd as
delivered to the fuel meter, where necessary.
In this architecture, the three corrector networks
R1, R2, and R3 that are used by the module 2B for
determining the appropriate correction, if any, that
needs to be applied to the command WE - OL all share a
common integrator I that is saturated as a function of
the current value of the command WF - OL.
This is possible given the transfer Sunctions C1,
C2, C3 defining the networks, which functions can be
written in the form of a product of a first transfer
function Cl', C2', C3' implemented by a respective module
9, 10, or 11 as multiplied by a l/p integration second
function that is performed by the saturated integrator I.
The use of a common saturated integrator
advantageously makes it possible to limit discontinuities
in the flow rate setpoints delivered by the corrector
networks R1, R2, and R3, and makes it easy to saturate
commands coming from the closed-loop (cf. step E40).
The modules 9 and 10 that implement the transfer
functions C1 and C2 respectively also include respective
second integrators as shown in Figure 5A (integrator
element 9J) as described in greater detail below. The
second integrator may suffer from problems known as
"wind-up" or as "drift" (or indeed runaway), that are
well known to the person skilled in the art.
In order to manage these problems, the architecture
shown in Figure 4 proposes activating the second
integrator only when the current value of the rate of
acceleration dN2/dt is close to its setpoint, in other
words close to the value THRl for the module 9 or the
value THR2 for the module 10. This activat.ion or
deactivation of the integrators of the modules 9 and 10
is managed respectively by modules 12 and 13.
More precisely:
The module 12 compares the estimated difference 61
between the setpoint THRl and the current value of
(dN2/dt) relative to a chosen negative threshold S1. If
61
Documents
Orders
Section
Controller
Decision Date
Application Documents
#
Name
Date
1
9931-DELNP-2015-IntimationOfGrant26-06-2023.pdf
2023-06-26
1
Priority Document [23-10-2015(online)].pdf
2015-10-23
2
9931-DELNP-2015-PatentCertificate26-06-2023.pdf
2023-06-26
2
Power of Attorney [23-10-2015(online)].pdf
2015-10-23
3
Form 5 [23-10-2015(online)].pdf
2015-10-23
3
9931-DELNP-2015-PETITION UNDER RULE 137 [13-06-2023(online)]-1.pdf
2023-06-13
4
Form 3 [23-10-2015(online)].pdf
2015-10-23
4
9931-DELNP-2015-PETITION UNDER RULE 137 [13-06-2023(online)].pdf
2023-06-13
5
Form 1 [23-10-2015(online)].pdf
2015-10-23
5
9931-DELNP-2015-Proof of Right [13-06-2023(online)].pdf
2023-06-13
6
Drawing [23-10-2015(online)].pdf
2015-10-23
6
9931-DELNP-2015-Written submissions and relevant documents [13-06-2023(online)].pdf
2023-06-13
7
Description(Complete) [23-10-2015(online)].pdf
2015-10-23
7
9931-DELNP-2015-FORM-26 [31-05-2023(online)].pdf
2023-05-31
8
9931-DELNP-2015.pdf
2015-10-29
8
9931-DELNP-2015-FORM 3 [29-05-2023(online)].pdf
2023-05-29
9
9931-DELNP-2015-Correspondence to notify the Controller [19-05-2023(online)].pdf