AUTOMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A TURBOJET ENGINE EMPLOYED IN A STATIONARY ENVIRONMENT

• US 3,691,759 A
• Filed: 01/14/1971
• Issued: 09/19/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Arthur M. Scheerer
• Original Assignee: Arthur M. Scheerer
• Inventors: Scheerer, Arthur M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Goodridge, Laurence M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cox, Ronald B.
• Application Number:
  US05/106,496
• Time in Patent Office: 614 Days
• Field of Search: 60/39.09,39.14,39.28
• US Class Current: 60/39.091
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 7/26 Starting; Ignition

Abstract

A control system for a turbojet engine which provides a single on-off switch to initiate start-up and shutdown phases of operation of the engine. The control system has a plurality of sensing elements and time delay electrical switches and valves interconnected to automatically control operation of auxiliary components of the engine, such as pumps, motors and fans, and the engine in proper sequence as well as monitor their operations during start-up, sustained and shutdown phases of operation of the engine. The system also has various failsafe circuits which include sensing elements which are set or adjusted to automatically effect shutdown of the engine upon malfunction during any of the phases of operation of the engine.

Claims

1. A control system for controlling the operation of a turbojet engine having a plurality of electrically operative auxiliary components and employed in a stationary installation comprising:

a. electrically operative fuel flow control means for regulating flow of fuel to the turbojet engine and, hence, its speed of operation;

b. an on-off switch connected to a source of alternating current power;

c. a main relay means connected to said source of alternating current power and said on-off switch so that in the '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'on'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' position of said switch the main relay means receives electrical current and transmits the same to said fuel flow control means; and

d. a plurality of secondary relay means having their switches connected in series with said main relay means so that electrical current is passed from said source to the fuel flow control means by way of said main relay means and said secondary relay means;

e. sensing element means for each of said plurality of secondary relay means to monitor an operative condition of the engine and in response to an undesirable predetermined condition to effect actuation of the associated secondary relay means and interruption of electrical power to said main relay means to thereby cease electrical current flow to the fuel flow control means and a shutdown of the engine;

f. a source of direct current;

g. a direct current inverter means for converting direct current to alternating current connected to the source of direct current and to the main relay means for delivery of converted alternating current to the fuel flow control means for a predetermined short period of time upon an interruption of alternating current from the source thereof; and

h. a time-delay relay means connected to said direct current inverter means and said main relay means to pass alternating current from the inverter means for said predetermined short period, and after that period, cutting off such alternating current flow to the main relay means so that the engine shuts down.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said direct current source is from a direct current storage means.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a speed switch means is provided which includes a plurality of electrical switch members actuatable to open and closed positions in response to predetermined angular engine speeds and wherein each of said switch members are connected to the main relay and to said plurality of auxiliary components to control electrical power flow to those components as governed by engine speeds.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said main and secondary relay means are each electromechanical switches having contacts and a coil and which contacts are made and broken upon the energization and de-energization of the coil.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a time-delay relay means is connected with a fuel priming temperature sensing means and the main relay means, said time-delay relay means and fuel priming temperature sensing means coacting to interrupt electrical current flow to the main relay means and thereby initiate shutdown of the engine when the priming temperature sensing means does not sense a predetermined combustion gas temperature in the engine before a predetermined period of time measured by said time-delay relay means.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein a second time-delay relay means is connected with a main fuel temperature sensing means and the relay means, said second time-delay relay means and the main fuel temperature sensing means cooperating to stop electrical current flow to the main relay means and, thereby initiate shutdown of the engine when the main fuel temperature sensing means does not sense a predetermined engine exhaust gas temperature before a predetermined period of time measured by said second time-delay relay means.