One-engine-inoperative training method and system
AssigneePratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
InventorsPatrick Joseph Gates, Teuvo Saario
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and system of simulating one-engine-inoperative (OEI) conditions in a multi-engine single-output aircraft which involves the operation of the engines above non-zero power settings, and operating each relative to one another to simulate power loss experienced during an actual failure of at least one engine.
Claims25
A method of providing for simulation of a one-engine-inoperative (OEI) condition in a multi-engine helicopter, the method comprising the steps of
- providing a OEI training program in a control system such that the control system is adapted to control the engines in an engine normal operation mode and in an OEI training mode;
- and
- providing a selector for selection of the OEI training mode to allow the control system to control a plurality of engines in accordance with the following steps:
- reducing a power level of all of the engines from a respective normal operational power level to a non-zero power level below the respective normal operational power level, the normal operational power level of an engine being the power level set prior to entering the OEI training mode;
- and then
- increasing the power level of each of the engines from their respective non-zero power level to a respective power level higher than the respective non-zero power level, the increasing returning each engine, substantially to its respective normal operational power level after the step of increasing and while still in the OEI training mode, and wherein the power levels of the engine are thereby substantially equal to one another.
A method for providing an engine controller configured for simulating a one-engine inoperative (OEI) condition in a multi-engine helicopter having at least first and second engines, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing an engine controller with an OEI training program, the controller selectively switchable between a normal flight mode wherein the OEI training program is inactive and an OEI training mode wherein the OEI training program is active, the first and second engines being simulated “failed” and a “good” engines respectively in the OEI training mode, the OEI training program when active executing the steps of:
- substantially simultaneously decelerating the first and second engines from respective first and second engine operational power settings, the engine operational power setting of each engine being the power setting used in the normal flight mode prior to switching to the OEI training mode;
- terminating the deceleration of the first engine at a first non-zero power setting;
- terminating the deceleration of the second engine at a second non-zero power setting which is lower than the first non-zero power setting;
- accelerating the first engine, immediately after the first engine reaches the first non-zero power setting, until the first engine reaches a predetermined power setting not substantially exceeding the first engine operational power setting;
- and
- accelerating the second engine, immediately after the second engine reaches the second non-zero power setting, until the second engine reaches a predetermined power setting not exceeding the second engine operational power setting.
An electronic engine controller having a memory encoded with a program for simulating a one-engine inoperative (OEI) condition in a multi-engine helicopter having at least first and second engines, the program comprising the steps of:
- entering an OEI training mode by simultaneously decelerating the first and second engines from a respective normal mode power level of the engine to a respective non-zero power level of the engine below the normal mode power level, the normal mode power level of each engine being a power level set prior to entering the OEI training mode;
- and then
- while still in the OEI training mode, accelerating each of the first and second engines from its respective non-zero power level substantially back to its respective normal mode power level.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.