Methods and systems for jet engine overthrust protection
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsAidan William Clark, Hans Max Ortlepp
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for sensing and reacting to jet engine fan speed in excess of a fan speed computed from an aircraft throttle input is disclosed. Engine fan speeds are detected by adding test conditions to a main central processing unit (CPU) and adding test conditions to an independent overspeed module to provide additional protection from main CPU computational errors. Interpretation of sensor data relating to engine speed may initiate a modeling routine for sensor data. Comparison of measured/computed sensor data to desired conditions using logic and data tables is a used. If an anomaly is detected, engine fuel cutback devices are engaged.
Claims20
A method for operating a jet engine, said method comprising the steps of:
- determining aircraft throttle position using at least one sensor mounted to an aircraft throttle;
- testing for engine overthrust conditions in a first processing unit by utilizing an input from the aircraft throttle;
- testing for engine overthrust conditions using a second processing unit distinct from the first processing unit by utilizing the aircraft throttle input;
- utilizing the first processing unit to determine jet engine thrust in excess of thrust computed based on the aircraft throttle input;
- and
- utilizing the second processing unit to determine jet engine thrust in excess of thrust computed based on the aircraft throttle input.
An apparatus for jet engine overspeed protection comprising:
- a main central processing unit (CPU) module configured to determine a sensed engine fan speed;
- and
- an independent overspeed module comprising sensors to determine a sensed throttle position, at least one said sensor mounted on the aircraft throttle, said overspeed module configured to compare the sensed engine fan speed to a variable engine fan limit speed.
A jet engine overspeed protection control system comprising:
- an engine overspeed protection apparatus comprising a main central processing unit (CPU) module and an overspeed module, said overspeed module comprising a circuit to determine sensed throttle positions;
- a plurality of sensors configured to transmit engine speed readings to said apparatus;
- a plurality of aircraft throttle position sensors configured to transmit intended engine speed to said apparatus, at least one said aircraft throttle position sensor mounted on the aircraft throttle for determining a sensed position of the aircraft throttle;
- and
- an engine fuel cutback device configured to reduce fuel supplied to an engine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.