Tracking and control of gas turbine engine component damage/life

• US 20030176954A1
• Filed: 10/04/2002
• Published: 09/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Link C. Jaw
• Original Assignee: Link C. Jaw
• Inventors: Jaw, Link C.
• Application Number:
  US10/265,530
• Publication Number:
  US 20030176954A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/3
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 21/003 Arrangements for testing or measuring for measuring vibrations G01H
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2270/11 to prolong engine life
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0005 with arrangements to save energy

Abstract

Described herein are damage control mechanisms and methods to extend the on-wing life of critical gas turbine engine components. Particularly, two types of damage mechanisms are addressed: creep/rupture and thermo-mechanical fatigue. To control these damages and extend the life of engine hot-section components, two methodologies are implemented as additional control logic for the on-board electronic control unit. This new logic, the life-extending control (LEC), interacts with the engine control and monitoring unit and modifies the fuel flow to reduce component damages in a flight mission. The LEC methodologies were demonstrated in a real-time, hardware-in-the-loop simulation. The results show that LEC is not only a new paradigm or engine control design, but also a promising technology for extending the service life of engine components, hence reducing the life cycle cost of the engine.

Claims

1. A method for controlling engine damage an extending the useful life of engine components of an aircraft comprising the steps of:

a. determine cumulative component damage using a predetermined damage model,

b. minimizing the cumulative component damage and minimizing flight time by varying the Mach number of the aircraft.