Adaptive model-based control systems and methods for controlling a gas turbine

An adaptable model-based control system for controlling a gas turbine engine to optimize either performance or operability of the engine, the system comprising:

• a) a means for obtaining information about the current state of the engine;
• b) a means for updating model data information about the engine in a model in an adaptive model-based control system to reflect the current state of the engine;
• c) a means for comparing the information about the current state of the engine with the model data information about the engine in the model;
• d) a means for diagnosing sensor, actuator, engine, and subsystem information and passing any updated information to a master mode selector and a reconfigurable control;
• e) a means for reconfiguring a correct form of the model, constraints, objective function and predetermined control parameters;
• f) a means for determining an optimal corrective control action to take given the current state of the engine, the objective function, and the constraints of the engine;
• g) a means for outputting a control command to implement the optimal corrective control action;
• h) a means for repeating steps a)-g) as necessary to ensure the objective function of the engine is optimized at all times.

An adaptable model-based control system capable of controlling a gas turbine engine to optimize either performance or operability of the engine, the control system comprising:

• at least one model capable of representing system behavior;
• at least one estimator capable of determining a current state of the engine and adapting the model for engine-to-engine variation and deterioration;
• at least one fault diagnostic capable of detecting and classifying faults and damage and providing a probability of faults;
• at least one reconfigurable model-based control capable of utilizing an optimization to control engine manipulated variables to ensure optimal operation of the engine within constrained operating space;
• and
• a master mode selector capable of modifying at least one of:
• an objective function, a constraint, a reference, a model and a model structure using information from at least one of:
• an operator, a supervisory control, and fault diagnostics.