AUTOTHROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM ON TURBOPROPELLER-POWERED AIRCRAFT

• US 20200130855A1
• Filed: 10/29/2018
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: ZINGARO, Giancarlo, LISIO, Carmine, CHAHAL, Jasraj, DAFTARI, Saadi
• Granted Patent: US 11,377,223 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 19/02 Conjoint controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 31/08 for keeping cruising speed constant
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 9/28 Regulating systems responsive to plant or ambient parameters, e.g. temperature, pressure, rotor speed F02C9/30 - F02C9/38, F02C9/44 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 9/285 Mechanical command devices linked to the throttle lever
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2220/324 to drive unshrouded, low solidity propeller
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2270/12 to maintain desired vehicle trajectory parameters

Abstract

Herein provided are methods and systems for a method for controlling autothrottle of an engine. A digital power request is obtained from an autothrottle controller, the digital power request based on an autothrottle input to the autothrottle controller. A manual input mode for the engine is terminated, the manual input mode based on a second power request obtained from a manual input associated with the engine. An autothrottle mode for the engine is engaged to control the engine based on the digital power request.

Claims

1. A method for controlling autothrottle of an engine, comprising:

obtaining, from an autothrottle controller, a digital power request, the digital power request based on an autothrottle input to the autothrottle controller;

terminating a manual input mode for the engine, the manual input mode based on a second power request obtained from a manual input associated with the engine; and

engaging an autothrottle mode for the engine for controlling the engine based on the digital power request.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a target position for the manual input based on at least one of the digital power request and an operating parameter of the engine;

transmitting the target position to an actuator coupled to the manual input to cause the manual input to adopt the target position.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

detecting a change in the operating parameter of the engine;

determining a subsequent target position for the manual input based on the operating parameter of the engine; and

transmitting the subsequent target position to actuator coupled to the manual input to cause the manual input to adopt the subsequent target position.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

evaluating an autothrottle readiness condition for the engine based on an operating parameter of the engine; and

when the autothrottle readiness condition is met, producing an autothrottle readiness alert for an operator of the engine.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the digital power request is obtained in response to the autothrottle readiness alert being provided.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the manual input is a power lever, and wherein the manual input mode is based on a power lever angle of the power lever.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling the engine based on the digital power request comprises:

determining, based on the digital power request, a requisite engine power and a requisite propeller rotational speed for achieving a power level satisfying the digital power request;

causing the engine to produce power commensurate with the requisite engine power; and

causing a propeller associated with the engine to rotate at a speed commensurate with the requisite propeller rotational speed.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the autothrottle input comprises an indication of a target airspeed.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising producing a confirmation indication following the engaging.

10. A system for controlling autothrottle of an engine, comprising:

a processing unit; and

a non-transitory computer-readable medium coupled to the processing unit and comprising computer-readable program instructions executable by the processing unit for;

obtaining, from an autothrottle controller, a digital power request, the digital power request based on an autothrottle input to the autothrottle controller;

terminating a manual input mode for the engine, the manual input mode based on a second power request obtained from a manual input associated with the engine; and

engaging an autothrottle mode for the engine for controlling the engine based on the digital power request.

11. The system of claim 10, the program instructions being further executable for:

determining a target position for the manual input based on at least one of the digital power request and an operating parameter of the engine;

transmitting the target position to an actuator coupled to the manual input to cause the manual input to adopt the target position.

12. The system of claim 11, the program instructions being further executable for:

detecting a change in the operating parameter of the engine;

determining a subsequent target position for the manual input based on the operating parameter of the engine; and

transmitting the subsequent target position to actuator coupled to the manual input to cause the manual input to adopt the subsequent target position.

13. The system of claim 12, the program instructions being further executable for:

evaluating an autothrottle readiness condition for the engine based on an operating parameter of the engine; and

when the autothrottle readiness condition is met, producing an autothrottle readiness alert for an operator of the engine.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the digital power request is obtained in response to the autothrottle readiness alert being provided.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the manual input is a power lever, and wherein the manual input mode is based on a power lever angle of the power lever.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein controlling the engine based on the digital power request comprises:

determining, based on the digital power request, a requisite engine power and a requisite propeller rotational speed for achieving a power level satisfying the digital power request;

causing the engine to produce power commensurate with the requisite engine power; and

causing a propeller associated with the engine to rotate at a speed commensurate with the requisite propeller rotational speed.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the autothrottle input comprises an indication of a target airspeed.

18. The system of claim 10, the program instructions being further executable for producing a confirmation indication following the engaging.

19. A method for controlling autothrottle of a powerplant of an aircraft, the powerplant comprising an engine and a propeller, the method comprising:

obtaining, from an autothrottle controller, a digital thrust request, the digital thrust request based on an autothrottle input to the autothrottle controller,

terminating a manual input mode for the powerplant, the manual input mode based on a power request obtained from a manual input associated with the engine; and

engaging an autothrottle mode for the powerplant for controlling the engine and the propeller based on the digital thrust request.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the digital thrust request comprises a digital power request and a digital rotational speed request, wherein controlling the engine and the propeller based on the digital power request comprises controlling the engine based on the digital power request and controlling the propeller based on the digital rotational speed request.