Fail-operational internal combustion engine systems and methods
First Claim
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1. A method of operating a single engine, the method comprising:
- providing an output shaft and at least a first and a second power producing portion of the single engine;
operating the first power producing portion to drive the output shaft;
operating the second power producing portion to drive the output shaft;
providing fuel from a first fuel system having a first fuel source to the first power producing portion; and
providing fuel from a second fuel system having a second fuel source separate from the first fuel source to the second power producing portion, wherein the single engine is operational when one of the first and second fuel systems does not provide fuel to the corresponding one of the first and second power producing portions of the single engine.
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Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for internal combustion engines. For example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an engine system is provided that is able to operate at partial power after a single, or several, failures of any of several subsystems.
21 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of operating a single engine, the method comprising:
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providing an output shaft and at least a first and a second power producing portion of the single engine; operating the first power producing portion to drive the output shaft; operating the second power producing portion to drive the output shaft; providing fuel from a first fuel system having a first fuel source to the first power producing portion; and providing fuel from a second fuel system having a second fuel source separate from the first fuel source to the second power producing portion, wherein the single engine is operational when one of the first and second fuel systems does not provide fuel to the corresponding one of the first and second power producing portions of the single engine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A single engine system comprising:
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means for providing power from a first power producing portion of the single engine system; means for providing power from a second power producing portion of the single engine system; means for providing fuel to the first power producing portion from a first fuel source; and means for providing fuel to the second power producing portion from a second fuel source separate from the first fuel source, wherein the single engine system is operational when one of the means for providing fuel does not provide fuel to the corresponding one of the first and second power producing portions of the single engine system. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of improving the reliability of an engine, the method comprising:
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providing a single engine having at least a first and a second power producing portion producing power through an output shaft of the single engine; providing fuel from a first fuel system having a first fuel source to the first power producing portion; providing fuel to the second power producing portion from a second fuel system having a second fuel source separate from the first fuel source; providing a first set of systems serving the first power producing portion; and providing a second set of systems serving the second power producing portion, wherein the second set of systems is separate from the first set of systems and comprises systems of a same type as the first set of systems. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification