Abstract: An engine control method and apparatus for optimizing an operating condition of an engine. A plurality of engine variables are determined and operated upon to direct the control of engine effectors so as to place the engine in an optimum operating condition. In particular, the engine effectors are controlled to minimize the fuel consumption of an engine operating at a steady-state. The system selectively moves a pair of engine effectors so as to determine the sensitivity of the engine variables to changes in effector outputs. Such sensitivities are updated during the system operation. The engine effectors are selectively moved as a function of the engine variable sensitivities in a direction to minimize fuel consumption without violating any predetermined operating limits of the engine variables. Once an optimum operating point is obtained, the system remains at rest and checks for changes in operating conditions that may require a new optimum to be determined.

Abstract: A control device for controlling an engine of a turbine power system having more than one engine is disclosed. The control device includes a proportional-integral-differential (PID) controller based on power turbine speed and a signal representing the difference between the torque of the engine being controlled and the torque of another engine in the power system, if the controlled engine is generating a torque less than that of the other engine. Accordingly, the control loop used in the device inherently tends to bring the torque of the controlled engine up to the torque of the other engine while maintaining power turbine speed equal to its reference, thereby equalizing the torques without expensive electrical connections between the controls of the two engines.