Control system for a turbogenerator and method

A turbogenerator for an aircraft, the turbogenerator comprising:

• an open-loop control system having:
• a closed-loop speed controller, wherein the closed-loop speed controller comprises:
• an input;
• a plurality of closed-loop controllers arranged in parallel, wherein each closed-loop controller of the plurality of closed-loop controllers is set differently, and wherein each closed-loop controller of the plurality of closed-loop controllers is configured to output a different open-loop control signal based on a speed signal applied to the input;
• and
• an output,
• wherein the closed-loop speed controller is configured to select one or more open-loop control signals of the open-loop control signals of the plurality of closed-loop controllers depending on the speed signal and generate an output signal using the selected one or more open-loop control signals of the open-loop control signals of the plurality of closed-loop controllers, and
• wherein the closed-loop speed controller is configured to output the output signal at the output;
• and
• a closed-loop thrust controller configured to receive the output signal of the closed-loop speed controller,
• wherein the closed-loop thrust controller is configured to output an open-loop control signal based on the output signal to adjust a fuel valve to the turbogenerator.

An aircraft comprising:

• a fuel valve;
• a turbogenerator;
• and
• an electric motor configured to generate thrust and/or lift, wherein the electric motor is electrically coupled to the turbogenerator and supplied with electric current from the turbogenerator,
• wherein the turbogenerator comprises:
• an open-loop control system having:
• a closed-loop speed controller comprising:
• an input;
• a plurality of closed-loop controllers arranged in parallel, wherein each closed-loop controller of the plurality of closed-loop controllers is set differently, and wherein each closed-loop controller of the plurality of closed-loop controllers is configured to output a different open-loop control signal based on a speed signal applied to the input;
• and
• an output,
• wherein the closed-loop speed controller is configured to select one or more open-loop control signals of the open-loop control signals of the plurality of closed-loop controllers depending on the speed signal and generate an output signal using the selected one or more open-loop control signals of the open-loop control signals of the plurality of closed-loop controllers, and
• wherein the closed-loop speed controller is configured to output the output signal at the output;
• and
• a closed-loop thrust controller configured to receive the output signal of the closed-loop speed controller,
• wherein the closed-loop thrust controller is configured to output an open-loop control signal based on the output signal to adjust the fuel valve to the turbogenerator.

A method for open-loop control of a turbogenerator, the method comprising:

• applying a speed signal to an input of a closed-loop speed controller of an open-loop control system of the turbogenerator;
• outputting, by each closed-loop controller of a plurality of closed-loop controllers of the closed-loop speed controller, a different open-loop control signal based on the speed signal applied to the input of the closed-loop speed controller, wherein each closed-loop controller of the plurality of closed-loop controllers is set differently, and wherein closed-loop controllers of the plurality of closed-loop controllers are arranged in parallel;
• selecting, by the closed-loop speed controller, one or more open-loop control signals of the open-loop control signals of the plurality of closed-loop controllers depending on the speed signal;
• generating, by the closed-loop speed controller, an output signal using the selected one or more open-loop control signals of the open-loop control signals of the plurality of closed-loop controllers;
• outputting the output signal at an output of the closed-loop speed controller;
• receiving, by a closed-loop thrust controller, the output signal from the closed-loop speed controller;
• and
• outputting, by the closed-loop thrust controller, an open-loop control signal based on the output signal to adjust a fuel valve to the turbogenerator.