Model Based Control Concepts for Jet Engines

Abstract

Many jet engine variables cannot be measured in-flight or can only be measured with a complex, and hence unreliable, instrumentation system. This includes variables that are of imminent importance for the safe operation of the engine or for engine life, such as the temperature of the high pressure turbine blades or the surge margins of the turbo compressors, for instance. Current control systems therefore transform limits on these variables into limits on other variables measured by the engine’s sensors. This leads to increased safety margins and thus to non-optimal engine performance. An onboard engine model incorporated into the engine control system could provide information about all engine variables. This could enable further control and monitoring system optimisations leading to improved engine performance, reduced fuel consumption, increased safety and engine life. This paper explains the principle of model based engine control and gives an overview about possible applications for conventional and also thrust vectored jet engines. Modeling methods for real-time simulation as well as methods for online model adaptation are presented. The potential of model based jet engine control is analyzed and fortified by some prototype realizations.