System and method for providing end-use specific customization of gas turbine engine operation

A system for providing end-use specific customization of gas turbine engine operation, the system comprising:

• a first processing unit configured to transmit a request for an activation key and, upon receipt of the requested activation key, to transmit the requested activation key, the requested activation key having one or more operational parameters associated therewith;
• a second processing unit disposed remote from, and in operable communication with, the first processing unit, the second processing unit configured to receive the request from the first processing unit and configured, upon receipt of the request, to transmit the requested activation key to the first processing unit;
• a gas turbine engine in operable communication with the first processing unit, the gas turbine engine configured to receive the activation key transmitted by the first processing unit;
• and
• an engine controller in operable communication with the first processing unit and the gas turbine engine, the engine controller configured to receive the activation key transmitted by the first processing unit and operable, upon receipt of the activation key, to:
• verify the received activation key is correct by comparing the received activation key to one or more known-to-be-valid activation keys,
• control the gas turbine engine using standard default operational parameters when the received activation key is not correct,
• enable the one or more operational parameters associated with the activation key in the gas turbine engine and the engine controller when the received activation key is correct, and
• control the gas turbine engine using the enabled operational parameters.

A method for providing end-use specific customization of gas turbine engine operation, the method comprising the steps of:

• requesting, from a first processing unit to a second processing unit, one or more activation keys;
• transmitting, from the second processing unit to the first processing unit, the one or more activation keys the were requested;
• transmitting the one or more activation keys from the first processing unit to a gas turbine engine and an engine controller;
• verifying, using control logic in the engine controller, whether the one or more activation keys are correct by comparing the one or more activation keys to one or more known-to-be-valid activation keys;
• operating and controlling the gas turbine engine using standard default operational parameters when the one or more activation keys are not verified;
• enabling operational parameters associated with the one or more activation keys in the gas turbine engine and engine controller when the one or more activation keys are verified;
• and
• operating and controlling the gas turbine engine using the enabled operational parameters.