# US 10,480,416 B2 · Compact aero-thermo model based control system estimator starting algorithm > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,480,416 B2 - Document ID: US10480416B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/770,388 - Filed: 2014-03-14 - Published: 2016-05-26 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-15 - Assignees: United Technologies Corporation - Applicants: United Technologies Corporation - Inventors: Boris Karpman; Richard P. Meisner; David Sembiante; Thomas Niemczycki - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480416B2 ## CPC - F02C 7/26: Starting; Ignition - F01D 21/003: {Arrangements for testing or measuring (for measuring vibrations G01H)} - F02C 3/04: having a turbine driving a compressor (power transmission arrangements F02C7/36; control of working fluid flow F02C9/16) - F02C 9/16: Control of working fluid flow (F02C9/48 takes precedence; control of air-intake flow F02C7/057) - F02C 9/20: by throttling; by adjusting vanes - F04D 29/321: {for axial flow compressors} - F04D 29/325: {for axial flow fans (blade mountings F04D29/34, blades F04D29/38)} - G05B 13/04: involving the use of models or simulators - G05B 17/02: electric - G05B 23/0254: {based on a quantitative model, e.g. mathematical relationships between inputs and outputs; functions: observer, Kalman filter, residual calculation, Neural Networks} - G05D 7/0629: {characterised by the type of regulator means} - F05D 2220/32: in gas turbines - F05D 2240/35: Combustors or associated equipment - F05D 2260/81: Modelling or simulation - F05D 2260/85: Starting - F02C: GAS-TURBINE PLANTS; AIR INTAKES FOR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS; CONTROLLING FUEL SUPPLY IN AIR-BREATHING JET-PROPULSION PLANTS (construction of turbines F01D; jet-propulsion plants F02K; construction of compressors or fans F04; generating combustion products of high pressure or high velocity F23R; using gas turbines in compression refrigeration plants F25B11/00) - F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D) - F04D: NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS (engine fuel-injection pumps F02M; ion pumps H01J41/12; electrodynamic pumps H02K44/02) - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) - G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES - F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS ## Abstract Systems and methods for controlling a fluid based engineering system are disclosed. The systems and methods may include a model processor for generating a model output, the model processor including a set state module for setting dynamic states of the model processor, the dynamic states input to an open loop model based on the model operating mode. The model processor may include an input object for processing model input and setting a model operating mode, the model operating mode being a starting mode if the model input is within a data range associated with a starting operation of the control device. The model processor may further include an estimate state module for determining an estimated state of the model based on a prior state model output and the current state model of the open loop model. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A control system, comprising: an actuator for positioning a control surface of a control device; a control law for directing the actuator as a function of a model output; and a model processor for generating the model output, the model processor comprising: an input object for processing a model input vector and setting a model operating mode, the model operating mode being a starting mode if the model input vector comprises a data range associated with a starting operation of the control device; a set state module for setting dynamic states of the model processor, the dynamic states input to an open loop model based on the model operating mode; wherein the open loop model generates current state derivatives, solver state errors, and synthesized parameters as a function of the dynamic states and the model input vector, wherein a constraint on the current state derivatives and solver state errors is based on a series of cycle synthesis modules, each member of the series of cycle synthesis modules modeling a component of a cycle of the control device and comprising a series of utilities, the utilities based on mathematical abstractions of physical laws that govern behavior of the component; an estimate state module for determining an estimated state of the model based on at least one of a prior state, the current state derivatives, the solver state errors, and the synthesized parameters; and an output object for processing at least the synthesized parameters of the model to determine the model output. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The control system of claim 1, wherein the data range associated with the starting operation of the control device is values under a threshold idle condition of the control device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The control system of claim 1, wherein the data range associated with the starting operation of the control device is values under a threshold condition for starting the control device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The control system of claim 1, wherein the starting mode includes replacement model input values for the values that are outside of the data range associated with the starting operation of the control device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The control system of claim 1, wherein the input object uses a spool speed value of the model input vector to determine if the model input vector is within a data range associated with a starting operation of the control device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The control system of claim 5, wherein the starting mode includes replacement values for spool speed values within the data range associated with the starting operation of the control device for replacing spool speed values that are outside of the data range associated with the starting operation of the control device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The control system of claim 1, wherein the model input vector includes one or more of raw effector data, boundary conditions, engine sensing data, unit conversion information, range limiting information, rate limiting information, dynamic compensation determinations, and synthesized lacking inputs. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The control system of claim 1, wherein the control device is a gas turbine engine. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The control system of claim 8, wherein the one or more cycle synthesis modules are based on one or more mathematical abstractions of physical processes associated with components of a thermodynamic cycle of the gas turbine engine. ### Claim 10 A method for controlling a control device, the method comprising: generating a model output using a model processor, the model processor comprising: an input object for processing a model input vector and setting a model operating mode, the model operating mode being a starting mode if the model input vector comprises a data range associated with a starting operation of the control device; a set state module for setting dynamic states of the model processor, the dynamic states input to an open loop model based on the model operating mode; wherein the open loop model generates current state derivatives, solver state errors, and synthesized parameters as a function of the dynamic states and the model input vector, wherein a constraint on the current state derivatives and solver state errors is based on a series of cycle synthesis modules, each member of the series of cycle synthesis modules modeling a component of a cycle of the control device and comprising a series of utilities, the utilities based on mathematical abstractions of physical laws that govern behavior of the component; an estimate state module for determining an estimated state of the model based on at least one of a prior state, the current state derivatives, the solver state errors, and the synthesized parameter; and an output object for processing at least the synthesized parameters of the model to determine the model output; directing an actuator associated with the control device as a function of a model output using a control law; and positioning a control surface of the control device using the actuator. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the data range associated with the starting operation of the control device is values under a threshold idle condition of the control device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the data range associated with the starting operation of the control device is values under a threshold condition for starting the control device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the starting mode includes replacement model input values for the values that are outside of the data range associated with the starting operation of the control device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the input object uses a spool speed value of the model input vector to determine if the model input vector comprises a data range associated with a starting operation of the control device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the starting mode includes replacement values for spool speed values within the data range associated with the starting operation of the control device for replacing spool speed values that are outside of the data range associated with the starting operation of the control device. ### Claim 16 A gas turbine engine comprising: a fan; a compressor section downstream of the fan; a combustor section downstream of the compressor section; an actuator for positioning a control surface of an element of the gas turbine engine; a control law for directing the actuator as a function of a model output; a model processor for generating the model output, the model processor comprising: an input object for processing a model input vector and setting a model operating mode, the model operating mode being a starting mode if the model input vector comprises a data range associated with a starting operation of the gas turbine engine; a set state module for setting dynamic states of the model processor, the dynamic states input to an open loop model based on the model operating mode; wherein the open loop model generates current state derivatives, solver state errors, and synthesized parameters as a function of the dynamic states and the model input vector, wherein a constraint on the current state derivatives and solver state errors is based on a series of cycle synthesis modules, each member of the series of cycle synthesis modules modeling a component of a cycle of the gas turbine engine and comprising a series of utilities, the utilities based on mathematical abstractions of physical laws that govern behavior of the component; an estimate state module for determining an estimated state of the model based on at least one of a prior state, the current state derivatives, the solver state errors, and the synthesized parameters; and an output object for processing at least the synthesized parameters of the model to determine the model output. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The gas turbine engine of claim 16, wherein the data range associated with the starting operation of the gas turbine engine is values under a threshold idle condition of the gas turbine engine. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The gas turbine engine of claim 16, wherein the data range associated with the starting operation of the gas turbine engine is values under a threshold condition for starting the gas turbine engine. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The gas turbine engine of claim 16, further comprising a spool and the input object uses a spool speed value of the model input vector to determine if the model input vector comprises a data range associated with a starting operation of the gas turbine engine. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The gas turbine engine of claim 19, wherein the starting mode includes replacement values for spool speed values within the data range associated with the starting operation of the gas turbine engine for replacing spool speed values that are outside of the data range associated with the starting operation of the gas turbine engine.