Apparatus and method for dynamic compensation of a propeller pitch speed control governor
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorsRoy W. Schneider, David E. Leenhouts
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Governor stability of a propeller pitch controlled speed governor is improved by dynamically compensating a turbine engine speed error signal employed in determining fuel flow. The fuel flow requirement is a function of the dynamically compensated turbine engine speed error signal, an indicated air speed signal, and a power lever angle signal.
Claims13
Apparatus, for improving a performance stability of a speed governor of a variable pitch control for a propeller driven aircraft having a gas turbine engine with an electronic fuel control for regulating fuel flow to the gas turbine in dependance on a set point value of a power lever angle controlled by an operator, comprising:
- sensor means, for providing sensed signals indicative of turbine engine speed, aircraft air speed, and power lever angle setting;
- signal summing means, for providing a turbine engine speed error signal as a difference magnitude between said turbine engine speed signal and a reference turbine engine speed signal presented thereto;
- signal processing means, responsive to said turbine engine speed error signal, and having memory means for storing signals including program signals defining an executable algorithm for multiplying said turbine engine speed error signal by a proportional gain signal to provide a dynamic compensation signal;
- and
- signal multiplying means, for presenting a fuel control signal, as a product magnitude of said air speed signal, said dynamic compensation signal, and said power lever angle signal, to the electronic fuel control to control the gas turbine engine torque and, thereby controlling propeller torque.
A method for controlling propeller torque to improve governor stability of a propeller pitch control speed governor of an aircraft having a gas turbine engine with a variable pitch propeller comprises:
- detecting a turbine engine speed to provide a turbine engine speed signal, an air speed of the aircraft to provide an air speed signal, and a power level angle position to provide a power level angle signal;
- summing said turbine engine speed signal with a reference turbine engine speed signal to provide a turbine engine speed error signal;
- dynamically compensating said turbine engine speed error signal by a proportional gain to provide a dynamic compensation signal;
- multiplying said dynamic compensation signal with said air speed signal and with said power level angle signal to provide a fuel control signal;
- and
- controlling propeller torque with said fuel control signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.