Patents by Inventor Chaohong Cai

Chaohong Cai has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11976633
    Abstract: A control system for limiting power turbine torque (QPT) of a gas turbine engine includes a controller including a processor and memory configured to control the gas turbine engine, the controller including an engine control module that provides an effector command signal to a gas generator of the gas turbine engine; a power turbine governor module that outputs a preliminary torque request (QPT_req_pre); and a power turbine torque (QPT) optimal limiter module that outputs a maximum torque topper (QPT_max) to limit a power turbine speed overshoot of the gas turbine engine; wherein the controller outputs a minimum value between the preliminary torque request (QPT_req_pre) and the maximum torque topper (QPT_max) to the engine control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chaohong Cai, Timothy J Crowley, David Lei Ma, Richard P Meisner
  • Patent number: 11346290
    Abstract: A control system for limiting a power turbine torque of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. In various embodiments, the control system includes an engine control module configured to output an effector command signal to a gas generator of the gas turbine engine; a power turbine governor module configured to output to the engine control module a power turbine torque request signal; and a power turbine torque limiter module configured to output to the power turbine governor module a power turbine speed rate signal to limit a power turbine speed overshoot of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Chaohong Cai, Richard P. Meisner, Timothy J. Crowley, David Lei Ma
  • Publication number: 20210340956
    Abstract: A control system for limiting power turbine torque (QPT) of a gas turbine engine includes a controller including a processor and memory configured to control the gas turbine engine, the controller including an engine control module that provides an effector command signal to a gas generator of the gas turbine engine; a power turbine governor module that outputs a preliminary torque request (QPT_req_pre); and a power turbine torque (QPT) optimal limiter module that outputs a maximum torque topper (QPT_max) to limit a power turbine speed overshoot of the gas turbine engine; wherein the controller outputs a minimum value between the preliminary torque request (QPT_req_pre) and the maximum torque topper (QPT_max) to the engine control module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Applicant: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chaohong Cai, Timothy J. Crowley, David Lei Ma, Richard P. Meisner
  • Publication number: 20210262400
    Abstract: A control system for limiting a power turbine torque of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. In various embodiments, the control system includes an engine control module configured to output an effector command signal to a gas generator of the gas turbine engine; a power turbine governor module configured to output to the engine control module a power turbine torque request signal; and a power turbine torque limiter module configured to output to the power turbine governor module a power turbine speed rate signal to limit a power turbine speed overshoot of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Chaohong Cai, Richard P. Meisner, Timothy J. Crowley, David Lei Ma
  • Patent number: 11092136
    Abstract: A control system for limiting power turbine torque (QPT) of a gas turbine engine includes a controller including a processor and memory configured to control the gas turbine engine, the controller including an engine control module that provides an effector command signal to a gas generator of the gas turbine engine; a power turbine governor module that outputs a preliminary torque request (QPT_req_pre); and a power turbine torque (QPT) optimal limiter module that outputs a maximum torque topper (QPT_max) to limit a power turbine speed overshoot of the gas turbine engine; wherein the controller outputs a minimum value between the preliminary torque request (QPT_req_pre) and the maximum torque topper (QPT_max) to the engine control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Chaohong Cai, Timothy J Crowley, David Lei Ma, Richard P Meisner
  • Patent number: 10961922
    Abstract: A power turbine control system for a gas turbine engine may comprise a controller comprising one or more processors in communication with the gas turbine engine. The processors may comprise an engine control module configured to receive a torque request signal and generate a torque achieved signal. A rate of change of power turbine speed estimation module may generate an estimated rate of change of power turbine speed signal. A dynamic inversion power turbine governor module may generate the torque request signal based on the torque achieved signal and estimated rate of change of power turbine speed signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Richard P. Meisner, Chaohong Cai, Timothy J. Crowley
  • Patent number: 10711734
    Abstract: A control system for a gas turbine engine, a method for controlling a gas turbine engine, and a gas turbine engine are disclosed. The control system may include a nozzle scheduler for determining an exhaust nozzle position goal based on a nozzle schedule of exhaust nozzle positions related to flight conditions. The control system may further include a control module for determining a control command for the gas turbine engine. The control command may include, at least, a fuel flow command and an exhaust nozzle position command and the control command may be based on, at least, the exhaust nozzle position goal and an estimated thrust value. The control system may further include an actuator for controlling the gas turbine engine based on the control command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chaohong Cai, Timothy J. Crowley, Mark E. Lacour, David Lei Ma
  • Publication number: 20200025130
    Abstract: A control system for a gas turbine engine, a method for controlling a gas turbine engine, and a gas turbine engine are disclosed. The control system may include a nozzle scheduler for determining an exhaust nozzle position goal based on a nozzle schedule of exhaust nozzle positions related to flight conditions. The control system may further include a control module for determining a control command for the gas turbine engine. The control command may include, at least, a fuel flow command and an exhaust nozzle position command and the control command may be based on, at least, the exhaust nozzle position goal and an estimated thrust value. The control system may further include an actuator for controlling the gas turbine engine based on the control command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Chaohong Cai, Timothy J. Crowley, Mark E. Lacour, David Lei Ma
  • Publication number: 20190338754
    Abstract: A control system for limiting power turbine torque (QPT) of a gas turbine engine includes a controller including a processor and memory configured to control the gas turbine engine, the controller including an engine control module that provides an effector command signal to a gas generator of the gas turbine engine; a power turbine governor module that outputs a preliminary torque request (QPT_req_pre); and a power turbine torque (QPT) optimal limiter module that outputs a maximum torque topper (QPT_max) to limit a power turbine speed overshoot of the gas turbine engine; wherein the controller outputs a minimum value between the preliminary torque request (QPT_req_pre) and the maximum torque topper (QPT_max) to the engine control module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chaohong Cai, Timothy J. Crowley, David Lei Ma, Richard P. Meisner
  • Publication number: 20190309689
    Abstract: A power turbine control system for a gas turbine engine may comprise a controller comprising one or more processors in communication with the gas turbine engine. The processors may comprise an engine control module configured to receive a torque request signal and generate a torque achieved signal. A rate of change of power turbine speed estimation module may generate an estimated rate of change of power turbine speed signal. A dynamic inversion power turbine governor module may generate the torque request signal based on the torque achieved signal and estimated rate of change of power turbine speed signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard P. Meisner, Chaohong Cai, Timothy J. Crowley
  • Patent number: 10316760
    Abstract: A system and methods are provided for controlling turboshaft engines. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving input signals for a collective lever angle (CLA) command and real-time power turbine speed (NP) of an engine, determining system data for engine effectors by the control unit based on the input signals for the collective lever angle (CLA) command and the real-time power turbine speed (NP) based on an integrated model for the turboshaft engine including a model of a gas generator section of the turboshaft engine and a model of a power turbine and rotor load section of the turboshaft engine. The method may also include determining control output based on model-based multi-variable control including optimization formulation and a constrained optimization solver. The method may also include outputting one or more control signals for control of the turboshaft engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard P. Meisner, Chaohong Cai, James W. Fuller, Timothy J. Crowley
  • Patent number: 10253725
    Abstract: A control system for a gas turbine engine, a method for controlling a gas turbine engine, and a gas turbine engine are disclosed. The control system may include a nozzle scheduler for determining an exhaust nozzle position goal based on a nozzle schedule of exhaust nozzle positions related to flight conditions. The control system may further include a control module for determining a control command for the gas turbine engine. The control command may include, at least, a fuel flow command and an exhaust nozzle position command and the control command may be based on, at least, the exhaust nozzle position goal and an estimated thrust value. The control system may further include an actuator for controlling the gas turbine engine based on the control command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chaohong Cai, Timothy J. Crowley, Mark E. Lacour, David L. Ma
  • Patent number: 10113487
    Abstract: A control system for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The control system may include a computer processor. The control system may also include an outer loop control module programmed into the computer processor to determine a torque request based at least in part on a real-time collective lever angle command. The control system may also include an inner loop control module programmed into the computer processor to receive the torque request from the outer loop control module, to determine fuel flow and inlet guide vane schedules based at least in part on the received torque request, and to send signals to a gas generator of the gas turbine engine in order to control the gas generator according to the determined fuel flow and inlet guide vane schedules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chaohong Cai, Timothy J. Crowley, Richard P. Meisner
  • Patent number: 10036331
    Abstract: A method and control system for an aircraft using a gas turbine engine is provided. The control system includes a controller that includes a load and engine control modules and communicates control signals to a plant that includes a gas generator and a rotor load, an engine estimation module that receives engine state measurements and effector feedback/command signals from the controller and communicates a power turbine torque estimate, and a load estimation module that receives signals including the power turbine torque estimate, a first power turbine speed value, a first power turbine torque value, a second power turbine speed value, a second power turbine torque value, and a rotor speed value. The load estimation module generates one or more of a power turbine speed estimate, a power turbine torque estimate, and a rotor load estimate based on the received signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chaohong Cai, Timothy J. Crowley, Richard P. Meisner
  • Publication number: 20180073441
    Abstract: A method and control system for an aircraft using a gas turbine engine is provided. The control system includes a controller that includes a load and engine control modules and communicates control signals to a plant that includes a gas generator and a rotor load, an engine estimation module that receives engine state measurements and effector feedback/command signals from the controller and communicates a power turbine torque estimate, and a load estimation module that receives signals including the power turbine torque estimate, a first power turbine speed value, a first power turbine torque value, a second power turbine speed value, a second power turbine torque value, and a rotor speed value. The load estimation module generates one or more of a power turbine speed estimate, a power turbine torque estimate, and a rotor load estimate based on the received signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Chaohong Cai, Timothy J. Crowley, Richard P. Meisner
  • Patent number: 9878692
    Abstract: A control system for a gas turbine engine, a method for controlling a gas turbine engine, and a gas turbine engine are disclosed. The control system may include a hybrid model predictive control (HMPC) module, the HMPC module receiving power goals and operability limits and determining a multi-variable control command for the gas turbine engine, the multi-variable control command determined using the power goals, the operability limits, actuator goals, sensor signals, and synthesis signals. The control system may further include system sensors for determining the sensor signals and a non-linear engine model for estimating corrected speed signals and synthesis signals using the sensor signals, the synthesis signals including an estimated stall margin remaining. The control system may further include a goal generation module for determining actuator goals for the HMPC module using the corrected speed signals and an actuator for controlling the gas turbine engine based on the multivariable control command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chaohong Cai, Joshua Adams, Richard P. Meisner
  • Patent number: 9732625
    Abstract: A control system for a gas turbine engine including a power turbine is disclosed. The control system may include a control module to receive engine operating goals and an estimated current engine state, wherein the estimated current engine state is produced by a model-based estimation module using a bandwidth signal produced by an adaptation logic module. The control module is operative to determine fuel flow, inlet guide vane schedules and stability bleed schedules based at least in part on the received engine operating goals and the estimated current engine state, and to send signals to a gas generator of the gas turbine engine in order to control the gas generator according to the determined fuel flow, inlet guide vane schedules and stability bleed schedules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chaohong Cai
  • Publication number: 20170198643
    Abstract: A control system for a gas turbine engine, a method for controlling a gas turbine engine, and a gas turbine engine are disclosed. The control system may include a hybrid model predictive control (HMPC) module, the HMPC module receiving power goals and operability limits and determining a multi-variable control command for the gas turbine engine, the multi-variable control command determined using the power goals, the operability limits, actuator goals, sensor signals, and synthesis signals. The control system may further include system sensors for determining the sensor signals and a non-linear engine model for estimating corrected speed signals and synthesis signals using the sensor signals, the synthesis signals including an estimated stall margin remaining. The control system may further include a goal generation module for determining actuator goals for the HMPC module using the corrected speed signals and an actuator for controlling the gas turbine engine based on the multivariable control command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Chaohong Cai, Joshua Adams, Richard P. Meisner
  • Patent number: 9500138
    Abstract: A load power sharing control system for a twin-engine rotorcraft having a first gas turbine engine and a second gas turbine engine is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Chaohong Cai, Michael H. Levesque, Richard P. Meisner, Timothy J. Crowley, Joshua Adams, Timothy J. Gaudet
  • Patent number: 9494085
    Abstract: A control system for a gas turbine engine including a power turbine is disclosed. The control system may also include an outer loop control module to determine a torque request. The outer loop control module may include a feedback control component operative to provide regulation of the power turbine, a feed-forward component operative to anticipate a load on the power turbine, and a hybrid control component operative to prevent output of a torque request that cannot currently be delivered by the power turbine. The control system may also include an inner loop control module to receive the torque request from the outer loop control module, to determine fuel flow and inlet guide vane schedules based at least in part on the received torque request, and to send signals to control a gas generator of the gas turbine engine according to the determined fuel flow and inlet guide vane schedules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chaohong Cai