METHOD OF CONTROLLING A GROUP OF ENGINES, AND AN AIRCRAFT
First Claim
1. A method of controlling a group of engines of an aircraft developing a necessary power (Wnec) for driving a rotor, said group of engines being provided with at least one electrical member connected to electrical energy storage means and with a first number n of fuel-burning engines greater than or equal to two, each engine being capable of developing a continuous power (MCP) without limitation on duration during a continuous rating, said electrical member being capable of developing a maximum power (Welec—
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max) in motor mode, wherein a processor unit executes stored instructions for evaluating a main condition in which the group of engines can develop the necessary power while resting an engine, and when said main condition is satisfied, for;
resting one engine, and accelerating the engines not at rest, i.e. accelerating a second number n−
1 of engines not at rest equal to said first number n minus one in order to develop at most a threshold power with the engines, said threshold power (MCPn-1) being reached when each engine that is not at rest is developing said continuous power (MCP); and
causing the electrical member to operate in motor mode if the processor unit finds that the main condition is satisfied when causing the electrical member to operate in motor mode simultaneously with the second number of engines, the electrical member operating temporarily in electricity generator mode when the storage means are discharged.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of controlling a group (2) of engines developing a necessary power (Wnec) for driving a rotor (3), said group (2) of engines having at least one electrical member (4), electrical energy storage means (5), and a first number n of engines (6) that is greater than or equal to two. A processor unit (10) executes instructions for evaluating a main condition as to whether the group of engines can develop the necessary power while resting one engine, and if so for resting one engine and accelerating a second number engines not at rest, and for causing the electrical member to operate in motor mode, if necessary, the electrical member operating temporarily in electricity generator mode when the storage means are discharged.
45 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of controlling a group of engines of an aircraft developing a necessary power (Wnec) for driving a rotor, said group of engines being provided with at least one electrical member connected to electrical energy storage means and with a first number n of fuel-burning engines greater than or equal to two, each engine being capable of developing a continuous power (MCP) without limitation on duration during a continuous rating, said electrical member being capable of developing a maximum power (Welec
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max) in motor mode, wherein a processor unit executes stored instructions for evaluating a main condition in which the group of engines can develop the necessary power while resting an engine, and when said main condition is satisfied, for;
resting one engine, and accelerating the engines not at rest, i.e. accelerating a second number n−
1 of engines not at rest equal to said first number n minus one in order to develop at most a threshold power with the engines, said threshold power (MCPn-1) being reached when each engine that is not at rest is developing said continuous power (MCP); andcausing the electrical member to operate in motor mode if the processor unit finds that the main condition is satisfied when causing the electrical member to operate in motor mode simultaneously with the second number of engines, the electrical member operating temporarily in electricity generator mode when the storage means are discharged. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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max) in motor mode, wherein a processor unit executes stored instructions for evaluating a main condition in which the group of engines can develop the necessary power while resting an engine, and when said main condition is satisfied, for;
Specification