F02C9/20

SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING VARIABLE OUTLET GUIDE VANES

A fan assembly includes a fan duct, an inlet fan, an outlet guide vane assembly, and a control system. The inlet fan includes fan blades adapted to rotate about a central axis to force fan exit air toward an aft end of the fan duct. The outlet guide vane assembly is located in the fan duct downstream of the inlet fan and is configured to adjust a direction of the fan exit air. The outlet guide vane assembly includes a plurality of guide vanes that extend radially relative to the central axis and are configured to rotate to a first vane-pitch angle. The control system is configured to rotate the guide vanes redirect the fan exit air, vary a pressure downstream of the fan inlet, minimize intake flow distortion experienced by the inlet fan, reduce inlet fan vibratory response and/or improve fan operability margins.

VARIABLE TANDEM FAN OUTLET GUIDE VANES

A fan assembly includes a fan duct, an inlet fan, and an outlet guide vane assembly. The inlet fan includes blades adapted to force fan exit air toward an aft end of the fan duct. The outlet guide vane assembly is located in the fan duct downstream of the inlet fan and is configured to adjust a direction of the fan exit air received from the blades. The outlet guide vane assembly includes a first plurality of vanes configured to rotate to redirect the fan exit air in a first direction, and a second plurality of vanes located downstream of the first plurality of vanes. The second plurality of vanes are configured to rotate to redirect the fan exit air flowing in the first direction in a second direction to minimize losses created by distortions in fan inlet air and created by the first vanes.

Autonomous safety mode for distributed control of turbomachines
11661895 · 2023-05-30 · ·

A distributed control system for a turbomachine and method of operating the distributed control system are provided. In one aspect, a distributed control system includes a central controller and a distributed controller communicatively coupled thereto. The distributed controller has one or more associated local actuators and one or more associated local sensors. The actuators and the sensors are communicatively coupled with the distributed controller. If a communication link between the central controller and the distributed controller becomes faulty, the distributed controller enters an autonomous safety mode. In this mode, the distributed controller uses a combination of its own associated local sensors and past commands received from the central controller to autonomously govern its associated local actuators to maintain safe operation of the turbomachine.

Autonomous safety mode for distributed control of turbomachines
11661895 · 2023-05-30 · ·

A distributed control system for a turbomachine and method of operating the distributed control system are provided. In one aspect, a distributed control system includes a central controller and a distributed controller communicatively coupled thereto. The distributed controller has one or more associated local actuators and one or more associated local sensors. The actuators and the sensors are communicatively coupled with the distributed controller. If a communication link between the central controller and the distributed controller becomes faulty, the distributed controller enters an autonomous safety mode. In this mode, the distributed controller uses a combination of its own associated local sensors and past commands received from the central controller to autonomously govern its associated local actuators to maintain safe operation of the turbomachine.

INDIVIDUALLY CONTROLLABLE VARIABLE FAN OUTLET GUIDE VANES

A fan assembly includes a fan duct, an inlet fan, and an outlet guide vane assembly. The inlet fan includes blades adapted to force fan exit air toward an aft end of the fan duct. The outlet guide vane assembly is located in the fan duct downstream of the inlet fan and is configured to adjust a direction of the fan exit air received from the blades. The outlet guide vane assembly includes a first plurality of outlet guide vanes including a first outlet guide vane configured to rotate to a first angle so as to redirect the fan exit air in a first direction and a second outlet guide vane configured to rotate to a second angle so as to redirect the fan exit air in a second direction. The second outlet guide vane is located at a different circumferential position than the first outlet guide vane.

Systems and methods for controlling a power plant
11466627 · 2022-10-11 · ·

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods that are useful in control of one or more aspects of a power production plant. More particularly, the disclosure relates to power production plants, methods of starting power production plants, and methods of generating power with a power production plant wherein one or more control paths are utilized for automated control of at least one action. The present disclosure more particularly relates to power production plants, control systems for power production plants, and methods for startup of a power production plant.

Systems and methods for controlling a power plant
11466627 · 2022-10-11 · ·

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods that are useful in control of one or more aspects of a power production plant. More particularly, the disclosure relates to power production plants, methods of starting power production plants, and methods of generating power with a power production plant wherein one or more control paths are utilized for automated control of at least one action. The present disclosure more particularly relates to power production plants, control systems for power production plants, and methods for startup of a power production plant.

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GOVERNING AN ENGINE AT LOW POWER
20230113130 · 2023-04-13 ·

There are described methods and systems for operating an aircraft having two or more engines. One method comprises operating the two or more engines of the aircraft in an asymmetric operating regime, wherein a first of the engines is in an active mode to provide motive power to the aircraft and a second of the engines is in a standby mode to provide substantially no motive power to the aircraft; governing the first engine in the active mode using a first governing logic; and governing the second engine in the standby mode using a second governing logic, the second governing logic based on a target compressor speed and variable geometry mechanism (VGM) settings that are adjusted using trim values dependent on at least one parameter of the second engine in the standby mode.

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GOVERNING AN ENGINE AT LOW POWER
20230113130 · 2023-04-13 ·

There are described methods and systems for operating an aircraft having two or more engines. One method comprises operating the two or more engines of the aircraft in an asymmetric operating regime, wherein a first of the engines is in an active mode to provide motive power to the aircraft and a second of the engines is in a standby mode to provide substantially no motive power to the aircraft; governing the first engine in the active mode using a first governing logic; and governing the second engine in the standby mode using a second governing logic, the second governing logic based on a target compressor speed and variable geometry mechanism (VGM) settings that are adjusted using trim values dependent on at least one parameter of the second engine in the standby mode.

Gas turbine engine flow control
11466628 · 2022-10-11 · ·

A method of controlling a gas turbine engine including receiving an instantaneous thrust demand for current operation of the engine, determining the inlet flow rate and/or the pressure ratio within the compressor of the engine and determining whether the inlet flow rate and/or the pressure ratio match the working line for the compressor. The angle of one or more vane of the compressor is adjusted according to a closed control loop if the inlet flow rate and/or pressure ratio lie outside said desired range in order to adjust the inlet inflow rate and/or pressure ratio to meet the working line. The fuel flow to the engine combustor is adjusted concurrently in order to meet the thrust demand.